Hotel Girasole

We stayed at Hotel Girasole 21 Oct/28 Oct. We enjoyed our stay in a pleasant traditional family run Italian hotel. It was exceptionally clean throughout. It had a pleasant dining room over looking the garden seating area and a nice lounge area adjoining. The hotel pool was clean and had a good sun terrace around it with a covered eating area and a snack/bar adjoining. Our room was clean and maintained throughout our stay and towels changed each day. We had a garden room with a small balcony which had a lovely view of the coast and Naples, it was quiet despite the hotel being on the busy road. Breakfast was traditional Italian style and although it was the same each morning there was plenty of choice, the tinned fruit was a little disappointing but there was other fresh fruits available. The staff were friendly enough and offered assistance with the espresso coffee machine when my husband messed it up! The evening meal menu was left on your assigned table each morning for you to choose from. Usually four starter choices one of which was always a pasta meal which I have to say were delicious, the main course was a choice of a meat, fish or vegetarian dish and then a choice of two deserts which were traditional Italian or fruit salad. The wine/bar waiter was very pleasant and very knowledgeable about the wines on the menu and suggested good local wines to try. The hotel is situated within easy walking distance to Sorrento town 15 mins and made it easy to get in and out of town. The road is busy but you can walk down to the coast and then along a quieter road to the centre. There is a nice area at the rear of the town with a few cafe's seating, viewing areas over the coast. From Sorrento you can get ferries to the Amalfi coast, Capri, Ischia, Naples and the train goes to Pompeii and Herculaneum. We enjoyed our week here and it was value for money as we got a last minute deal but if it's a modern, sleek, flashy hotel you are looking for then it's not for you. Thank you Hotel Girasole we had a lovely week.

"The hotel is dated"... well that's what some reviews say. The hotel is not dated, it is the ‘style’ of the hotel and yes, while it does not have all the latest look, it is a perfectly nice hotel to stay in. The kit, furniture, décor and equipment, while ‘older’ in style, we found was all functional and adequate. I’d say it’s style was a traditional ‘Spanish Home’ and so you can expect to see older furniture, cabinets and wardrobes, etc, all in good order. We had a good sized room, on-suite style toilet and shower and clean towels, soaps, and such like – room was cleaned daily if needed and the cleaning lady was very helpful and gave us extra loo rolls when we needed some. The staff were always polite and friendly and on one occasion, my wife was feeling a bit poorly, too much sun, so didn’t go for tea. I asked in reception if they could do some tea and toast and they were happy to do so and even brought it to the room. Theres a TV (Spanish TV), chair, dresser, wardrobes, small fridge and free security coded safe box in the room. The dining area was clean and tidy, well stocked and breakfast had a very good selection. OK, no traditional ‘English’ but then you are in Spain! Evening meal was via a menu selection in the morning and at least 3 choices from the 3 courses provided. The food was very tasty and while the portions looked small, 3 courses was more than enough and all table service with 3 waiters, all efficient and friendly. We shared a table with two other couples and all out starters, mains and sweets all came at the same time so no couple was waiting for another. There is a nice outside area and also a pool with a bar. The drinks were no more expensive than if you had gone out, typically e3.40 for a beer, etc. Would I stay in the Girasole (Spanish for Sunflower) again? Yes, I’d be happy to stay there but then I would not go to Sorrento again, as there are so many other places to visit 😊

Firstly This hotel is geared towards the older generation (65 plus) and is a coach holiday hotel .it should not be marketed as suitable for young children as it is not . There are no facilities for children whatsoever and they are not welcomed, no childrens menu and if you dare ask for anything different you are met with hostility. Rooms dated , just one power socket , so remember to bring an extension lead if you require power points. Rooms very clean and the lovely chambermaids do an excellent job Otherwise , Staff miserable especially dining staff who really just don't want to be there and make you feel that any request is a nuisance No entertainment whatsoever not even quiet background music which gives the place an unwelcoming feel . The bar was the most unatmospheric place I've ever had the misfortune to sit in . Dinner was not worth getting dressed up for as we usually do whilst on holiday , food was unimaginative and repetitive . You chose in the morning out of three mains , three starters and 3 desserts -the menu is the same every week . No lasagne at all which I was looking forward to , pizza we had once and it was American style deep pan as opposed to Neapolitan , absolutely shocking! one night the main course was a cheese omelette . For the prices charged this is wholly unacceptable. House wine is undrinkable. Sad, as Italy is obviously known for it's lovely wines. If food is important to you on holiday be prepared to eat out . Breakfast nothing special . The coffee awful . Swimming pool lovely clean and refreshing in beautiful surroundings Love the area in which the hotel is situated , yes the road Is busy , but if you turn right out of the hotel and first right down the Lane it's a beautiful scenic walk into Sorrento Id recommend Master Hosts just down the road for fabulous excellent value food and drink . Wish we'd been able to just go bed and breakfast but the hotel doesn't allow this Shop around before booking this hotel , there are much better hotels in Sorrento, it was my tenth visit to the town and I can honestly say that this hotel is not an example of typical Italian hospitality. Disappointing experience all round.