The building, nondescript and built in the ‘70s, is nothing special architecturally speaking. But the interior of this hotel is welcoming and well-maintained: Glossy marble floors, polished wood, and sconces give the property a traditional, almost homey feel. Families won't find much here geared to them in particular, and neither will business travelers. Couples are the predominant clientele, and the hotel seems best suited to an older crowd. Some have complained about "stuffy" formalities like wait staff being dressed in uniforms suited for cruise ships of yesteryear, a requirement that men wear trousers to dinner, and an unusually early last call at the bar. Opinions on the decor seem split by age, with middle-aged travelers praising its "classic" appeal while the younger crowd tends to see it as dated. But all ages agree on one thing -- the staff is helpful, and the views are stunning.

The hotel is in an ideal spot to explore the surrounding town by foot, and guests who intend to just explore Sorrento and Capri may not even need to rent a car. The Grand Hotel's street is just outside of the center of town, close enough to be convenient to shops and restaurants but far enough away that traffic is reduced.

It's about a 10-minute walk to the Piazza Tasso, the main square in Sorrento. Getting to the harbor and its view of Mount Vesuvius, with boats heading out to the island of Capri, requires about a 15-minute walk. Naples and its airport is an hour away by car. Buses are readily available at the airport; they may take a bit longer in terms of traveling time but offer huge savings compared to a taxi.

The 120 rooms in the Grand Hotel are uniformly clean, big, and air-conditioned, and all have balconies and flat-screen TVs. Even the bathrooms are roomy, with large showers tiled in attractive blue and white and marble sinks. Decor is bordering on mundane, however, and may remind some travelers of a neater version of their bedroom at home. Some guests were also let down upon discovering there were no coffee or tea-making supplies, no irons, and no outlets convenient to the bed for phone charging (bathrooms do have hairdryers, though). Many find it worth paying extra for the rooms at the front of the hotel on the higher floors; they face the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, so the views are vastly superior.

Both pools are appealing in their own way: The rooftop pool has incredible views and plenty of cheery lounge chairs and umbrellas; the garden pool, hidden away behind the hotel, is quieter. The rooftop bar also has a cozy seating area with umbrellas and cafe tables. The restaurant is bright and airy, with white tile throughout. The hotel’s free breakfast offers a wide selection, including meats and cheeses on top of the usual cereal, pastries, and fruit.

The drawbacks are that there is no fitness center or business center, and the bar and pools close early.