“ No matter where I am or how old, a warm breeze around bare
   shoulders will always remind me of my love for this place. ”
   V.M. - England

The Excelsior Vittoria, which had the status of a de-luxe hotel from the 1890's until the end of the second world war, has now officially returned to its five-star rating following the important refurbishment programme started in 1980.

The repositioning at the highest market level has been a goal strongly supported by Luca Fiorentino, a member of the Fiorentino family that has owned and run the hotel since its opening in 1834.

This achievement would not have been reached without the active cooperation of the 104 members of staff who have all contributed to this ambitious renovation's project. Equally lavish care has been given by Lidia Russo, Luca Fiorentino's wife, who skillfully and tastefully supervised the restoration of period furniture and the renewal of furnishings in-keeping with the original style of the house

For three consecutive years Excelsior Vittoria was voted as one of the Best Italian Hotels by Conde Nast Traveller USA.

To underline the return of the five-star rating the major event was the opening of the fabulous Pompeii Suite (see photo), designed by Colin Gold and decorated in an unique Pompeian style by Robert O'Dea, which links the hotel to the Roman archaelogical site that has been recently discovered on the hotel premises.
 

The Excelsior Vittoria hotel in Sorrento Italy, established since 1834, is an unique hotel of world reknown and great international prestige, located in the very heart of Sorrento, high on the cliff above the harbour and facing the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. A private elevator gives immediate access to the port, where launches and hydrofoils await the guest in search of unforgettable gems of this coast and its islands, in particular the resort island of Capri, which is only a ½ hour journey by hydrofoil or boat.

The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is one corner of Sorrento, lost in time. Through gates and orange groves, up to the aristocratic residence with its great expanse of glass, and public rooms in the finest turn of the century style. In one of these hotel rooms lived the great tenor Caruso, captivated by the charm and the perfect seclusion of the hotel. The five acres of gardens seclude the Excelsior Vittoria hotel from Sorrento's main square, and provide the perfect setting for the hotel's large swimming pool.

“Sorrento is indeed one of the loveliest towns in Italy ; a drawcard for tourists from all over the world. Flowers are everywhere, colourful red-and-white petunias in large urn-shaped planters, brightly coloured geraniums in the window-boxes which one finds on most houses and planted in mass displays of brilliant colour in hotel grounds. Bougainvillaea trail up the fronts of houses and across the pergolas of outdoor cafes and garden arches, and where there are no flowers there is lush green vegetation.

Beautifully decorated horses drawing gaily-coloured open carriages go clip-clopping by, the tourists favourite transportation. Cabbies here take pride in their rigs' appearance, adding to the mood of relaxation and happiness through their horse and cart's festive trappings. Even the local inhabitants seem less commercial and more genuinely friendly than one would usually expect in such a tourist-oriented town.

Behind the square is a maze of narrow streets and old but interesting-looking buildings. Closer inspection reveals the surprisingly modern shops and boutiques that contrast the ancient brickwork. Some of them specialize in the beautiful textiles and inlaid wood products for which this part of Italy is famous. The shopping in Sorrento is excellent (buy a locally made straw hat for which the area is renowned, as a practical souvenir).

It is however, towards the sea that Sorrento presents its loveliest face. Walking in that direction one finds a host of cliffside hotels from which the boats at the wharf and marina look like tiny toys. Turn-of-the-century Italian in architecture, beautifully maintained and charming in character, each has grounds that make it a gardener's dream.

Typical of the finest of these hotels is the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria overlooking a 300-ft high cliff with marina vertically below. It is a classic example of the best to be found in gracious Italian country hotels that are akin to the stately homes of the aristocracy. Here one lovely surprise follows another. Well-presented public rooms are cool and inviting. A huge swimming pool and enormous grounds mean that there is no feeling of overcrowding, and the terraces, filled with fragrant oleander trees, have comfortable deck chairs from which one gets superb views across the Gulf of Sorrento.

The popularity of the Amalfi Coast dates back to the time when the area was a watering hole for ancient Greeks and Romans. The town itself is worth a visit, and the mandatory day trip to Pompeii will be an additional highlight.”

(Excerpt from TRIPS - Courtesy of W. Reisender - www.walterglaser.com)

Swimming Pool

Dining Room

The Excelsior Vittoria hotel in Sorrento has magnificently appointed rooms, almost all of which have a terrace or balcony with either a panoramic view of the Gulf of Naples, or the beautiful five acres of orange and lemon groves which surround the hotel. All rooms are decorated and furnished with exquisite taste in keeping with the atmosphere of opulence and style of the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria.

The Excelsior Vittoria also has suites, including the luxurious Caruso Suite kept in the same style as it was when the famous Italian Tenor lodged here for over one month in 1921. The antique suites are tastefully furnished with original period furniture.

APARTMENTS
In the grounds of the Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento, a limited number of four very attractively decorated self-catering apartments are available for rent by the week from Saturday to Saturday, one-week minimum.

The Apartment Block

An Apartment Terrass

The impressive “Vittoria” dining room serves both local ethnic delicacies and High Cuisine, which is also available from the open-air Bosquet Terrace restaurant in summer. Also in summer, once a week a candle-lit buffet dinner is served on the panoramic “Vittoria” Terrace facing the lights of Naples across the Bay, whilst music plays for your dancing pleasure.

The Excelsior Vittoria is surrounded by a beautiful five acre park with scented orange and lemon groves, in which the hotel's swimming pool is perfectly located. These gardens provide a peaceful oasis separating the hotel from Sorrento's main square.

 Summer terrace restaurant overlooking the sea

The Bosquet and Stuart rooms, as well as the majestic Vittoria Hall, lend such class and charm to your meetings, seminars or incentives that all participants will be gratified by your choice of venue.

The Excelsior Vittoria is not a hotel for large conventions but rather the place where connaisseurs of art, history and natural beauty may congregate in a garden setting and enjoy all the benefits of a well-organized and efficient Meeting Service at the same time.

Facility	Dimensions Sq.Meters
Vittoria Hall	40.00 x 6.00
Bosquet Hall	4.40 x 8.20
Stuart Hall	4.40 x 9.40
Moro Hall	4.30 x 9.40
Club Hall	6.00 x 8.50

The Excelsior Vittoria is your choice for a guaranteed success.

Sala Vittoria

The Excelsior Vittoria is situated in the heart of Sorrento, on the cliff above the town harbour. Sorrento itself is a famous Italian upmarket seaside resort town, where the main industry is tourism and craftsmanship, and in particular the manufacture of inlaid wood, local speciality foodstuffs such as cheese, olive oil and walnuts, and a lemon liqueur called Limoncello.

Sorrento is located on the Sorrentine peninsula 55 kilometres (approx 30.5 miles) from Naples, and only 50 km from Naples airport. To reach Sorrento by train from Rome go to the 'Termini' station and take a train direct to Napoli Centrale or Napoli Piazza Garibaldi. Once in Naples change to the 'Circumvesuviana' railroad line for any service to Sorrento, which takes one hour. Alternatively you can reach Sorrento from Naples by hydrofoil: go to the 'Beverello' quay near 'Piazza Municipo', or the 'Mergellina' quay, and take a hydrofoil of either the Napoli-Sorrento line or the Ischia-Napoli-Sorrento line. By car, take the main road A1 south to Naples, then the A3 Napoli-Salerno, and then the S.S.145 to Sorrento.

~ Map of the Bay of Naples ~
Click to enlarge