Villa Pina Hotel

we have just returned from our holiday,were we were booked at the villa pina for 2 weeks. having read the recent reviews before hand,we didn't bother too much as we have been holidaying in italy for approx 20years and have always loved everything about the country ! but this holiday changed everything.we arrived at villa pina (i can't call it a hotel !) at 9.15 pm.along with another couple.we were dropped off outside.as there is no proper reception and nobody there to meet us we didn't have a clue where to go,luckily a lady was coming in and she told us the reception was accross the (yes,very busy )road.the guy there gave us keys took our p/ports and said our room was on the 1st.floor,so off we went. after getting trapped in the lift (but that's another story)we opened the door to the worst smell ever.the room itself was a single room with a double bed,wardrobe and complete with bedside fridge/table with old lamp on the top!! the smell we found out next day was coming from a dripping pipe outside the window coming from the air conditioning unit from the room above so the wall was covered in green mould.we also had to share with resident ants which took a liking to my husband shoes! the bathroom???? when you managed to get into it as it was so small with the smallest shower tray i've ever seen.the curtain was fixed with about 6 clips,but having a shower was a joke,the water flooded all over the floor and as there was no outlet in the tiled floor came into the bedroom and thats where it stayed all night .possibly adding to the smell.oh! we also had no light also,so we were really dicing with death,especially when the plug socket came away from the wall when i tried to ull a plug out. we were horrified,but after travelling all day were too tired.the next day we were still trying to use the flooded bathroom and didn't even go for breakfast as we were so upset later at the welcome meeting we told the rep.and she came to have alook at the room,the look on her face said it all !!! she took us across the road to speak to the manager,who said there were no more rooms as the hotel was full.i just wanted to go home! if it wasn't for the help of the rep, christine, who was wonderful i think that's what we would have done.she said she was going to report this to her boss and would see about moving usto another hotel.we waited all day, well my husband did ,in the room as 3 different people said they were coming to replace the light bulb and clean the floor,he gave up waiting after 3hours! eventually the folling morning we had a message from the rep to say another room was free,across the road above the resteraunt,we went to have a look !!!! the difference was amazing,the room was fab with views that overlooked the bay.the only other thing was that everyone who worked at the hotel knew what had happened and there was a horrible atmosphere everytime we went in for meals etc. i must mention yes the food is nice but preference is given to the paying customers who are fussed over and holiday guests are ignored a bit,also we have always have had really good food where ever we have stayed in italy.we will be back but definately not at this hotel !!!!!!!

This is definitely a hotel of two halves. The hotel itself is on one side of a busy main road, about 15 minutes out of Sorrento, with all meals served in the resteraunt on the opposite side. The food is good, (Pavoritti eat there acording to a photo on the wall), but this doesn't make up for the hotel, which is poor to say the least. Rooms are barely two star, shabby and uncomfortable, and clearly not updated for many, many years. Nothing like the pictures on the website, which seem to show the attic rooms following their conversion.. There are no facilities other than a rather noisy sun terrace, with insufficient sunbeds. The best thing about the place is the view from the resteraunt across the bay of Naples to Capri, and the sunset behind Iscia. We saw little of staff outside of meal times, and there seemed to be little attention to guests. During our stay we lost all water for over 24 hours, with no apology or attempt to provide alternative bottled water. Left us with the impression the hotel was a moneymaking but barely regarded addition to the resteraunt. Would not go back or recommend - in an area with no shortage of hotels it's not acceptable to offer such a poor standard of accommodation.

We have just returned back from the Villa Pina and so am about to write another essay (I like thorough reviews) on my latest stay. Like the reviewer before me I was surprised to find such a difference in the level of experiences of the other reviewers and we were a little worried prior to departure. We even tried to switch hotels but were unable to due to full bookings elsewhere. Due to plane delays we arrived late (2am) and had to wake up the owner to let us in, which was a little uncomfortable (unlike others we did not get a plate of cold food much to my disappointment , but by then the restaurant was closed). You should have gathered by the other reviews that this is a small hotel with the restaurant being the main feature. We loved our stay at the Villa Pina but there were some people a little disgruntled. No one complained about the food because it was absolutely fantastic (three courses of deliciousness). This was restaurant quality food cooked by professional staff. To eat out in town at this level would have cost about 27 Euros each per night. Yes the Breakfast is a bit disappointing. I never quite got used to eating cakes first thing in the morning however the croissants were delicious (sometimes the coffee was fresh other times it was instant). It would have been nice to have a selection of cold meat and cheese. We once had a Caprise Salad (basically tomatoes and mozzarella cheese) for lunch and they charged E10 each just to give you some idea of prices. The only issue I really had was that the wine was around 18 Euros a bottle, and some of it wasn’t that good (we had to send a few bottles back). This was disappointing given that Italy is a major wine producing country. Beers (Peroni) were E3 for small and E7 for big so it worked out cheaper to get two small bottles for some reason. The house white was E10 and wasn’t very good. Still water was E3 a bottle. Someone said that it is cheaper to order drinks at the bar after eating. When people complained it was usually about the rooms, which were quite small and basically decorated. We were in the attic and we personally found it quite quant, we had a lovely view of the lemon groves in the distance. Other people complained about there shower not working properly, no shower curtains around bath, mould on one shower curtain and so they refused to use it. One reported a bad case of damp (ceiling was turning black) and were moved to another room after much complaining. The silly thing is most of these problems could have easily been sorted out at a minimal cost. For example a shower curtain could have been replace for just a few Euros but the owners chose not to do it for some bewildering rationale. On the top of the restaurant was a terrace which had the most spectacular views. On the left was Caprice, right Vesuvius, and center the sea with ichea and boats passing by it. During the day you can sun bath in loungers or sit and read at the many seating areas. We used to take a bottle of wine up after our meal and sit and watch the world drift aimlessly by, it was truly memorable (yet amazingly few guests seemed to use it). Thanks to John and Averill for the good company. Contrast this with staying in the center of town overlooking some back streets, if that’s for you go for it. The only problem with the location is that you have to catch buses into town to begin any journey. Buses came around 20 past the hour, not every half hour as some suggested. Leaving the central station back to Masa Labrensie around 5 past the hour. Drivers do not accept cash so you have to purchase the cards in advance. The hotel sold the E2 (40 mins travelling time) and E6 (24 hours usage to anywhere in Sorrento including Amalfi) cards but sold out occasionally and on one occasion we would have been unable to leave the hotel until mid afternoon if it was not for another guest having some spares. There is an E1.05 card that you can purchase from the tobacconists that is supposed to get you into the town (or 30 mins in one direction) but some drivers refused to let you on with them, never understood why. Forget the fool who suggested you can walk into Sorrento. For one it would take a good 40 mins to walk the distance, and two, you would be lucky not to be killed in the process as there are no foot paths. If you are planning to do the tourist thing a good tip is to go to the central station and purchase a 3 day E25 ART card which entitles you to 3 days unlimited travel (including train to Naples) and entry into two attractions (Pompey and Herculenium for example cost E11 each) so it can be a real saver, yet few other guests knew about them. You can buy them in advance and you activate them by writing the start date on the back of the card. Some have said the owners were really friendly which I find a bit bewildering. They are professional but I would not class them as friendly. They do seem to take more of a liking to you when you spend more money however. There was only entertainment once a week on the Tuesday so this hotel is not suitable for those who can’t entertain themselves. One previous reviewer had worryingly said that the photos listed are not representative of the hotel. I am not sure where they were looking because the photos shown on the websites we looked at were a fair representation. The only misleading thing is that it is probably a 25 min walk down to the marina and beach rather than the 10 specified. Sorrento itself is an expensive area and no doubt the low exchange rate of 1.22 didn’t help. I never manage to find one item that was cheaper than the UK. Even the pasta was more expensive than my local ASDA’s Extra Special range and they have to ship it over from Italy and transport it around the UK. Saying that Sorrento is one of the most beautiful places I have visited so it was worth it. Overall, we had a very enjoyable stay at the Villa Pina and would definitely go back again. We personally can’t relate to the others giving it such poor reviews but then maybe the room does make a big difference to some people. In our case everything worked and the Air Con was more than adequate. Clean towels were provided everyday and cleaners made over the bed. This was one of the cheaper hotels available and it far exceeded our expectations. You need to work out what you want from a holiday as I am sure it is not for everyone. Hope this helps.

I have just returned from a 2 week stay at the Villa Pina which was booked as part of a package holiday with a leading tour operator. I feel I have to write a review to give an accurate picture of staying at this accommodation as the reviews vary from bad to very good. Overall the hotel rooms in the main body of the hotel are clean, but the decor is incredibly dated and does need a complete revamp (I understand that they are trying to achieve a kind of antique old style pensione feeling, however the carpets in the main staircases are filthy and the bed in our room was ancient and sagged in the middle). We had a bath and a shower in our room which both worked well but other guests either had a bath with no shower or a shower which did not work well, so I would try and check before you go if a shower is important to you. We had a small portable TV which worked, but again other guests did not have a TV that worked so if this is important then check at booking. Our travel adaptor also did not work in the room - you need a 3 vertical pin adaptor which you can either borrow from the reception or buy in a local supermarket. On the positive side towels and sheets are changed every day and our air conditioning worked well. The hotel is situated across the road from the reception in the restaurant. The road that you need to cross to get there is incredibly busy and no cars stop to let you cross. You literally have to make a runner for it every time you need to cross. The restaurant is good and the views are spectacular, however if you have booked as part of a package holiday then you are treated very much as second class guests. You are only permitted to eat in the restaurant at particular times (between 7.00 and 8.00 at night). On one occassion even though the restaurant was not busy at all, several diners on the package option were told they could not eat in the main restaurant as there was a restaurant booking for 1 table who were deemed as more important. The staff in the restaurant are very good and friendly though and the food (as part of the package) was good, although only criticism from me would be that it is geared slightly to British tastes and the vegetables and potatoes etc are all over salted. The salads, fish and pasta options were very good though. The location of the hotel was good if you want a totally quiet holiday out in the country – you really are tied to the Villa Pina though as there are no bars, shops or other trattorias/restaurants around this property so you need to go in to either Sorrento or Massa Lubrense for these. Please note - although other reviews have said that it is possible to walk to Sorrento from the hotel - it really is not, unless you have a death wish. It could possibly be done during daylight, however it really is not for the faint hearted as the traffic is busy and fast and dangerous. It would be incredibly dangerous to attempt to walk this road at night. We walked to Massa Lubrense during the day which took about 20 mins and is easier to walk to than Sorrento. The SITA buses though stop outside the hotel and we found them to be mostly on time. From Sorrento going back to the hotel they run just after the hour at 23.00 and 24.00 at night (though not from the main bus station but from the road above it). We used sun beds down at Marina da Lobra in Massa Lubrense most days as these were very reasonable - 6 euros each and also the SITA bus leaves from the marina at 16.30 each day and go's via the Villa Pina back to Sorrento so you do not have to walk back up the hill! The sunbeds at the bottom of the cliff in front of the Villa Pina at the yacht club are 10 euros each with an additional 5 euros each if you want to get a lift back up the hill - expensive. All in all, we paid a lot of money for this holiday and felt let down by the accommodation. I know that other guests also felt the same. The views are spectacular but for value for money I would say the hotel is not - it needs a bit of money spent on it by the owners who value there restaurant over the hotel.

We stayed at the Villa Pina for two weeks in August. It was a last minute deal and the price reflected this. We knew it wasn't going to be plush from what we had read but we were pleasantly suprised on arrival. The rooms are small and very basic, however clean and well kept. We were a bit disappointed with there being no balcony especially as the rooms from the hotel have such beautiful views. Though on further inspection we found a roof top terrace where you could take your drinks up to after dinner in the evening if we were not heading into sorrento town. We got breakfast and dinner included with the price of our stay. Breakfast was a basic continental however dinner was superb and definitely the high point of each day. The restaurant has the most stunning views of Capri, Ischia and Vesuvius that is delightful at sun set. There was a set menu for hotel guests of three courses and wine which were delicious and varied each night. A few nights we chose from the a la carte menu ( fish and tornedo rossini for example) at just a small supplement of a few British pounds. A lot of locals use the restaurant each night ,which says a lot about the cuisine and gives it a real traditional Italian feel. It was supposed to have been a firm favourite of the late Pavarotti! The hotel itself is set a couple of miles from Sorrento and there isn't much to do around the hotel in the way of bars and shops etc. Each night we took either a 20 minute walk or a short bus ride in to Sorrento. The buses run from just outside the hotel regularly but do not return after 11.00 pm therefore you are relying on taxis if you fancy a late one. The walk to the beach below is a pleasant ten minute stroll down quite a steep cliff path. The walk on the way back up however is an absolute killer. The beach though is very nice and as there is no pool at the Villa Pina we didn't have another option. That walk does help to work off some of that cheese and pasta though! Over all the holiday was a good one. If you only use your rooms as a base and enjoy good food, wine, and relaxing the Villa Pina is for you.

The Hotel Villa Pina was the worst! At first site when you look at their website, you fall in love with it and the photos look really nice. A little bit too nice, about half the photos on the website aren't even showing The Villa Pina. The Location sucked because you were alllllllllllllllll the way on top of the mountain and it took about 15-20 by bus or taxi. We royally got robbed between the bus rides and taxis ( over EUR170) We stayed in the room with the balcony, i think it's the only one with a balcony because beforehand we requested a nice, newer room. Th balcony had nothing on it, except for dead plants. The bathroom, what a joke. The shower curtain didn't stay, so thank god I wasn't with anyone besides my boyfriend. The hotel manager one morning said the bus (SITA) would be there at the hotel at 6:45 - so we had gotten up at 5:45 just to be sure and got ready and waited and waited and waited downstairs on the edge of the road (which might I add is the most dangerous place to be in Sorrento) and the bus didn't come until 7:30am. Lovely. Overall Horrible time, just don't waste your money on this place and try and find something closer to he center of town ( a little more expensive, but I would have done it if we were staying at the Villa Pina more than 2 nights)

Being a fan of smaller, family-run hotels, and not being bothered either way about a pool, this place was ideal for me. On arrival by night, my teenage daughter was a bit alarmed and felt we were in the middle of nowhere, but next day warmed to the place immediately. Our room was clean and well-maintained, towels changed daily. The food was absolutely wonderful. The staff were very friendly. There was nothing to displease us at all. The only complaint we heard from others was about the location. It's just outside Sorrento, which is well-served by public transport to visit many places of interest, but buses stop right outside and take about 10 minutes to get there. The last one back was 11 pm out of season, so no good for night owls, and after just missing one we were charged 30 Euros for a taxi. Overall though, we had a fantastic holiday.

as I have said before excellent clean friendly good for getting about by car or local transport food excellent staff very helpfull and only to willing give directions to just about anything or place you would like to go also has good relationship with yacht club just about a kilometre away were the food and service is also excellent.robert arthur

1. good food,but the menu was a bit lacklustre and b/fast was the same every day,croissants. 2. no bar area as such, have to sit outside with the insects 3. ran out of small beer bottles every day, the large ones just happen to work out dearer than 2 small ones! 4. room was cleaned every day, good standard as well 5. there is virtually constant traffic passing every day 6. sorrento is about 5kms away,but is impossible to walk there 7. taxis are about 20-30 euros, one way 8. buses are not reliable and stop at midnite 9. no swimming pool, and have to pay to use nearby one 10. lots to do and see

We have just returned from a 2 week stay at Hotel Villa Pina - Sorrento. It may not be the Ritz, but the price reflects that. The room was small, with a velux window, and having been delayed at the airport and arriving very late, was not in the least appealing! But the hotel staff presented us with a full meal at 11.30pm and were most welcoming. On waking the next morning I took one look out of the window, and WOW! The view was amazing! The hotel staff are fantastic and cannot do enough for you. It is a family run hotel and there is a great feeling of warmth. The food is excellent. The view as you eat breakfast and dinner is breathtaking. You have Capri to your left Ischia ahead and Vesuvius to your right. The buses stop outside the hotel and were pretty much on time. There is a fabulous Terrace on the roof of the restaurant with magnificant views, so who needs a balcony? And as for the room, which was spotless, who goes on holiday to stay in their hotel room? We would definitely go back.