Accommodation Review: Hotel Leone, Sorrento

We leave behind the ostentatious décor of the Hotel Barrett in Rome, and head for the more minimalistic Hotel Leone in Sorrento.

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Hotels in Sorrento – and all along the Amalfi Coast – are famously expensive. The cheaper hotels are those nestled up in the hills and lemon groves. Beautiful views but a trek from the action. After three days of pounding the streets of Rome we wanted somewhere to relax by a pool, but still within a short stroll from the town centre.

Located on Via Parsano, the 3-star Hotel Leone is tucked away from the hustle and bustle in a residential area. Yet it’s just a 10 minute stroll from the vibrant tourist streets full of boutiques, gift shops and restaurants, and 15 minutes from the train station. If you’re coming from the port, it’s all uphill – make sure you use the Sorrento Lift between Marina Piccola and Villa Comunale Park (€1,10 one way, kids under 1m high go free). There’s secure parking if you’re travelling by car.

A slightly shabby exterior belies a chic and elegant lobby, with blue and white tiles which bring to mind Greek rather than Italian décor. Our check-in is quick and efficient, our room thankfully ready after a tiring travel morning from Rome. We find our room on the second floor, opposite the lift and next door to the housekeeping closet.

The bedrooms are minimally decorated, in shades of blue and white. Our double room overlooks the front of the hotel and the hilly backdrop, with a small balcony. The pool-facing rooms are at the rear, but don’t have a balcony. Our room is clean, comfortable and cool thanks to the air conditioning.

The only downside is that the walls are paper-thin. Which mean that everyone’s bathroom habits during the night are announced to all rooms around them. A domino effect ensues, with us waking, going to the bathroom ourselves, and probably waking someone else in the process. Early departures also mean showers, hairdryers, televisions and noisy suitcases being wheeled down corridors. Our proximity to the lift and housekeeping closet don’t help.

Breakfast is continental, with cold meats, salad, fresh fruit, pastries and cereal. Everything is self-service, including tea and coffee. It takes Mr Fletche a couple of tries to figure out the machine. Which is why I always let him do it.

The pool gets the best of the September sun until around 3pm – an almost natural prompt that it’s time for a siesta. The water’s a little chilly first thing, until the sun appears over the hotel to warm the ground. I take the plunge for a birthday dip. Mr Fletche prefers to watch me flounder around, turning blue and gritting my teeth. It’s not quite swimming-in-Krka temperatures, but not far off. You can pick up clean pool towels daily from the pool bar.

The poolside restaurant serves from noon until 4pm and offers a selection of dishes, from saltimbocca and omelettes to pasta and salads. The French fries are thinly sliced and crisp-like. There’s a full bar menu too, with prices comparable to drinks found in the town. Perfect for that mid-morning beer or mid-afternoon spritz.

All of the public areas are immaculate and well maintained. We witnessed the pool furniture getting a daily jet wash, and parasol bases getting a spruce up. There’s a bright and airy lounge area on the ground floor next to reception, as well as a fairy-light festooned terrace which is perfect for an al fresco breakfast.

We found Hotel Leone to be the ideal base for our stay. Clean and comfortable, and perfectly located for the town, this is a great alternative to the elegant but expensive port-facing hotels.