Picture Copyright @Sahil Banga

What could possibly go wrong when you have a beautiful view of the Mediterranean sea & the hills?

Positano is a charming, laid-back, immensely beautiful village in the Amalfi Coast of Italy, where you don’t have much to do except appreciate its beauty and walk around. It’s an enclave in the hills which leads down to the coast, through bougainvillea lined lanes. This small town has become one of my favourite travel destinations not just in Italy but wherever I have travelled till date.

Hotel Villa Gabrisa reflects the sentiments of the village as it’s a cosy hotel where there isn’t anything else to do except sit at the balcony watching the sea or laze around at their restaurant/cafe/bar sipping coffee or wine (depends on the time or mood).

Picture Copyright @Sahil Banga

What works in favour of Hotel Villa Gabrisa is their staff. It’s a family run hotel, so you’d see the owners doubling up as bartenders, front office staff, chefs or simply fellow drinkers who’d chat up to you and give you all the information you’d want on Positano. Their pretty and ever-smiling front office girl Carmela goes out of her way to help you out with her suggestions on walking around (and shortcuts), restaurants, shopping, etc. She’d even arrange transportation and restaurant bookings for you, ensuring you get best possible treatment. In fact, our best dining experience was suggested by her – Ristorante Il Ritrovo. Our stay at the hotel was made special because of her. She also arranged our transport from Naples station, because reaching Positano on own could be difficult from Naples for foreigners.

20151130_140120The hotel is spic & span, all 5 stars for cleanliness. They have paintings and artefacts around reception area which add to the charm. The rooms are adequately spacious, brimming with basic necessities. Washroom is small with a slanted wall, a minus for tall and XXL sized people. The L’occitane products in the toiletries were a surprise since it’s not one of those boutique hotels or a luxury chain.

The location of Hotel Villa Gabrisa is pretty good, since it’s very close to the bus-stop. You walk down the hill to the beach, then take a bus from there which drops you close to the hotel. Sorted! There is a small seating arrangement of the hotel across the street on the verge of hillock, which is by far the cutest seat with a stunning view.

20151130_145947Food is average at the hotel, nothing to boast about. Breakfast buffet was simple. But the coffees were good, especially the liqueur ones. Looks like they take their coffee very seriously.

There are many cute looking hotels in Positano, so beautiful that you’d want to check-in everywhere. Thus ranking a particular hotel becomes difficult. But I’d say Hotel Villa Gabrisa scores mostly on service and the home-like environment where the staff is very amicable, in fact one of the best I’d experienced. Come evening and the staff will be seen drinking at their own bar, as if they are the guests. They’d mingle around casually and it would be one small party. It’s that casualness that sets this hotel apart. It’s not formal. Yet not intrusive.

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