Positano · Amalfi Coast
Il San Pietro, Villa Treville and Le Sirenuse. Two on the cliffs just outside town, one right in the middle of it. Here is who each one is for.
Stayed at Le Sirenuse · Toured the other two · October 2026
The first question in Positano is not which hotel. It is whether you want to be in town or above it.
I’m a travel advisor, and in October 2026 I stayed at Le Sirenuse and toured Il San Pietro and Villa Treville. For me, Il San Pietro and Villa Treville are the two best options in Positano. Le Sirenuse is the one to pick if you want to walk into town. This is what I’d tell a friend.
Sea views, and the sunset
The rooms are impeccably kept, and every one has a sea view: nautical, bright, blues and whites and tiles. Some face the sunrise, others the sunset, and the beach club is on the sunset side, which is a huge selling point. It sits right outside crazy-busy Positano, with free boat and car shuttles into town.
Keith’s notes
The sunset beach club. In the fall, most of the coast loses the sun on the water around 4:30 or 5pm. Not here.
The tennis court. Iconic, and #1 in my hotel tennis court ranking.
Privacy. No one can look down on you, and you will only see other guests.
The inclusions. A complimentary 2-hour yacht cruise, cooking and pizza classes, a daily cocktail masterclass, Pilates and yoga.
The verdict
The classic, done properly. One of the two best options in Positano.
A private estate on the cliffs
Villa Treville has probably the most private rooms in all of Positano. Every room is very different, not just a little different, and the artwork is cool and eclectic, but it really works. Service is warm and the team is outstanding.
Keith’s notes
Three boats. Three stunning boats, and free shuttles into Positano.
The beach club. On the rocks, right on the water.
The showers. One of the coolest I have ever seen: rain falling from an old brick dome.
A spa and gym with a view. An iron-and-glass garden pavilion, and a gym looking straight out to sea.
The verdict
Alongside Il San Pietro, the best option in Positano, and maybe slightly better value.
The scene
A really cool, lively property in the middle of Positano. That is either a selling point or a sore point, depending on who you are. Service is very formal, and you come to see and be seen. The art is stunning, the lookout over the dome is truly stunning, and the breakfast is out of this world.
Keith’s notes
The new beach club. Complimentary boats at 10:30 and 12:30.
The sunset cruise. Book it in advance. I learned that the hard way.
The breakfast. Incredible. Out of this world.
The rooftop pool. #02 on my worldwide pools list.
The verdict
If you want to walk into town, this is the one. Just book a true sea-view room.
| Il San Pietro | Villa Treville | Le Sirenuse | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | On the cliffs just outside Positano | On the cliffs just outside Positano | Right in the middle of Positano |
| Getting into town | Free boat and car shuttles | Free shuttles on the hotel’s own boats | Walk out the door |
| The feel | Nautical and bright: blues, whites and tiles | A private villa estate with eclectic art | Lively and formal: stunning art, see and be seen |
| Privacy | Very private. No one can look down on you | Probably the most private rooms in Positano | You are in the thick of town |
| Rooms | Every room has a sea view, facing sunrise or sunset | Every room is completely different | Only the true sea-view rooms; others face the courtyard or a loud pool |
| Room to ask for | The sunset side; Signature or Prestige for more space | Depends on your style; the suite with the outdoor tub is a standout | A true sea-view room or suite |
| Beach club | On the sunset side, with sun on the water late into the afternoon | On the rocks, right on the water | New, with complimentary boats at 10:30 and 12:30 |
| Don’t miss | The iconic tennis court, and a complimentary 2-hour yacht cruise | Three boats, and a spa and gym looking out to sea | The out-of-this-world breakfast and the lookout over the dome |
| Service | Private: you will only see other guests | Warm and fantastic | Very formal |
| Arriving | By boat from Naples or Salerno | By boat from Naples or Salerno | Private transfer from Naples or Salerno |
| Best for | Honeymoons, tennis, fall trips, privacy | Privacy, couples, design with personality | Walking into town, the scene |
Work with me and you get Fora perks, plus someone who knows these hotels personally and personalizes your stay: I arrange the boats, transfers and the sunset cruise before you land. Same rate as booking direct.
With Il San Pietro and Villa Treville, as with Santa Caterina, Miramalfi and Borgo Santandrea along the coast, a boat transfer from Naples or Salerno is practical and enjoyable. For Le Sirenuse, I arrange the private transfer.
The nearest helipad is in Scala, close to Ravello. Reach out and I will handle it.
For me, the two best options are Il San Pietro and Villa Treville, both on the cliffs just outside town. If you want to walk into town, pick Le Sirenuse.
Just outside, for most of my clients. Positano is busy. Il San Pietro and Villa Treville both run free shuttles into town, so you get the quiet without giving up the town.
Il San Pietro, because it is on the sunset side. In the fall, most beach clubs on the coast lose the sun around 4:30 or 5pm. Il San Pietro keeps it.
Villa Treville. It has probably the most private rooms in Positano, with Il San Pietro close behind.
Villa Treville. It is maybe slightly better value than Il San Pietro.
By boat from Naples or Salerno, which is practical and enjoyable for Il San Pietro and Villa Treville, or by private car. The nearest helipad is in Scala, close to Ravello. I arrange all of it.
Tell me your dates and who is coming, and I will tell you which one fits and which room to ask for.
Il San Pietro review → Villa Treville review → Le Sirenuse review → Where I’d stay in Italy →