The overall feel of the Grand Hotel President is one of serenity. Housed in a distinctive white-and-yellow building, the hotel is surrounded by a pretty landscaped garden park with manicured lawns, Mediterranean plants and flowers, and olive and lemon trees. On the lawns are numerous seating areas for relaxing. Below the lawns is a flower-lined path leading to cliffs and interesting cave formations. The hotel, grounds, swimming pool and its adjacent terrace showcase the magnificent view of the city of Sorrento and Gulf of Naples. Interiors are bright and airy, and colors of lime green and chocolate brown predominate in the furnishings. The Grand Hotel draws mainly tourists, who want a countryside location that's still close to the center of Sorrento and its many attractions.

The Grand Hotel President has a serene hilltop location just east of the S.S.-145/Via Nastro Verde road. It's a good location for those who want proximity to Sorrento without the busier and noisier atmosphere of a city center stay. The hotel is 1.25 miles west of the Cathedral of Sorrento, and 1.5 miles west of Piazza Tasso and Basilica di Sant'Antonino. The ferries to Naples and the Amalfi Coast are two miles northeast, and the Sorrento train station is 1.85 miles east. The walk into Sorrento and back involves some steep roads and stairs, but the hotel offers a free shuttle service to the city center, with drop-off and pick-up about eight times a day. Pompei is 18.5 miles away, and Mount Vesuvius is one hour and 20 minutes north. Naples and the Naples International Airport are about an hour north of the hotel.

The Grand Hotel President has 110 rooms on five floors. Rooms are basic but have touches of elegance -- tiled floors, inlaid furniture, and wood headboards. Rooms have a bright feel, with mustard-yellow walls, and beige or pale-green bedding. Some of the rooms have views of the Gulf of Naples, and some feature balconies or terraces (some also with gulf views). Rooms come with free Wi-Fi, minibars, in-room safes, and flat-panel TVs with satellite channels.

A large outdoor pool and hydro-massage tub with adjacent sun terrace with commanding views of the Gulf of Naples and Sorrento are the highlight here. The poolside bar is a delightful spot for an icy cocktail and view of the sun setting over the gulf. More views are on offer from the rooftop terrace, lounge bar, and restaurant, which has outdoor seating and serves a high-quality menu of Neapolitan, Sorrentine, and international fare. The breakfast buffet (for a fee) has an abundant variety of hot and cold items. Unlike many similarly rated hotels in the area, the Grand has numerous indoor facilities, including an indoor hot tub, sauna, steam room, tanning booth, and massage and thermal treatments (for a fee). There is also a small fitness room and billiards table on-site.