In an exclusive interview we asked Pietro Monti, co-owner and director of marketing of the 5-star Hotel Mediterraneo, why it is a must to put Sorrento on an Italian itinerary.
A long history of welcoming visitors 
“Sorrento is a must for many reasons, but I have to start with our exceptional sense of hospitality. On the Sorrentine Peninsula we have a long history of welcoming visitors from all over the world. Sometimes I’m asked what kind of specific training we give our staff to enable them to deal so seamlessly with such a wide variety of guests from all walks of life. The answer is that hospitality is in our blood, and not just because our hotel is a family business. It is something we do with true dedication and passion, and this extends to every member of our team, and to Sorrento in general.”
“In and around Sorrento, we have 14 Michelin-star restaurants”
The second reason Sorrento has to be included on any itinerary, said Monti, is for its gastronomic variety and excellence.
“Suffice it to say that in a very small area, in and around Sorrento, we have 14 Michelin-star restaurants. Added to which the Hotel Mediterraneo’s Vesuvius Restaurant, under Chef Giuseppe Saccone with his brigade, is renowned for its innovative and often playful take on typical specialties, and we have a wine list with exceptional local wines you will not easily find elsewhere.” Other local products that are unique to the Sorrentine Peninsula, Monti told us, are the lemons from which the town’s renowned Limoncello is made, walnuts, tomatoes and “treccia” mozzarella. History also abounds in the area, he added: “there are the ruins of the old natural swimming hole which Queen Joanna 1 of Naples used as her summer retreat in the 14th century, as well as Roman remains including Villa Pollio and the many old cisterns under the town’s streets.”
Sorrento has the most stunning sunsets
“Another unique feature of Sorrento, and one that our guests particularly rave about, are our sunsets over the Bay of Naples and the islands of Procida and Ischia. And they are even more spectacular when seen from our Skybar which is a favourite haunt for its cocktails, gourmet snacks and champagnes.” The Hotel Mediterraneo’s enviable position, we discovered, is another, and a very practical, reason for choosing Sorrento as a base. “Staying here takes a lot of hassle out of visiting the many iconic attractions on the Sorrento and Amalfi coasts. Our hotel is so ideally placed that in less than an hour, you can reach Capri, Ravello, Amalfi, Pompeii and Naples by sea. This a huge plus, especially in the high season when traffic on the coastal drive can add hours to a day’s outing.”
Hotel Mediterraneo: refined luxury and a warm welcome
A further excellent reason not to miss Sorrento is the Hotel Mediterraneo itself. Just a 15-minute walk from Sorrento’s main square, the handsome white Liberty-style property overlooks Naples and Mount Vesuvius, with the island of Capri in the distance. It is a perfect choice for travellers who appreciate refined luxury and the warm hospitality of a "grand home.” With 61 rooms and junior suites - many have balconies with sea, garden and pool views - there is also a spa and an elevator with direct access to the sea and the deck area reserved for hotel guests. “Sorrento has an excellent range of accommodation of all levels, with many family-run and para-hotels,- added Monti, -there is an abundancechoice for all tastes and budgets.” For information: www.mediterraneosorrento.com
