This hotel is on a quiet peacful hill above the mass confusion of the town. The rare thing about it is the customer service. Alex and Marco bent over backwards to do anything and everything to make our stay perfect. One night we got lost in town after getting on a wrong bus, and Marco drove into town to pick us up. The atmosphere is homey and welcoming. The hotel dog even had a litter of new puppies behind the patio, and all the guests got to pet them. We loved our stay here.

This was our first trip to Italy and we chose to land in this town called Sorrento via a coach from Napoli airport. From the bus station, we took a taxi which cost about EU20 to Casale.
The journey took about 15 minutes and after winding through the coastal road and a small access road, we came to the entrance of Casale. We still had about 150 meters to walk to reach our accomodation and really did not know what to expect.

When we reached the entrance to Casale, we were surprised that there was such a place hidden away and it was really a site to behold.

From the reviews we read about this place, it was classified as a B&B, which I think did it no justice at all but I would liek to keep this gem that way so that it stays unspoilt.

Marco, greeted us and we got to talk some. He was the co-woner and manager of this wonderful place. When we were taken to our rooms, we were all really impressed. The quality, cleanliness was second to none. It had all the luxury you need for your stay.

Going out into the yard, there was a large open hall which has many tables for patrons to sit around and chit chat or idle away and more surprises was to be revealed. Casale has a large garden as well aa a lemon orchard surrounding it. according to Marco's dad, they had about 1000 Square meters of lemon grove. Guess what, from one of the vantage points within the Casale's compound, you can actually see Vesuvius!

For the next few days, we made this our command center and did our forays into Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii with the local buses and train service. It cost EU 1.10 for locals and residents but EU2.40 for visitors and foreigners, don't ask me why but even locals do not like the idea that different rates are charged. Also, bear in mind, you can only buy bus tickets at the Tabacchi (tobacco store) or some news stands, not anywhere else. However, there are quite a number of these around. Tickets are valid for travel for a duration of 45 minutes or 60 minutes after you check in on one of the machines on the bus. make sure you carry extra tickets if you do not want to miss your bus.

Travelling on the Italian trains is an experience by itself. You have all sorts of character on it but all good and interesting. However, what we found most heart warming is there are Italians whom will give you advise on when to disembark and where if they hear that you are going to stop at a certain location. Ask them anything and they will try to help and give you info. Italian rocks. We took the train when we visited Pompeii (Stop at Pompeii Scavi), Pompeii site is just 3 minutes walk when you exit the station on your right. It was a real sight to behold. If weather permits, you need at least 3/4 of a day here.

Another place anyone should not miss is Amalfi, Ravello and Positano. if you take the Costiera Autobus (Coastal Bus), it will cost you EU7.30 for a day pass, which will allow you to hop on and off buses plying thiese routes (Sita blue buses or orange). Please see the destination indications in front of the buses. Mind you, the last bus from Amalfi is 8.30pm. Miss it and you will have to find a hotel room. Also, a word of caution, ask any bus drivers on the location to wait for your buses. We found out that sometimes the location changes and we missed our 5.30pm bus. Luckily, we still managed the 6.00 pm bus.

As it was late going into Positano, arrving at the junction only at about 6.30pm, we still had about a km to walk into town, we decided to just hang around a bar and had our Limoncello and chit chatted with the owner. As we were in the region in November (low season), everything closes early and some shops do not open. We decided to catch the 7.30pm bus back to Sorrento at the same junction we were dropped off.

If you intend to drive, word of caution. All the coastal roads are very narrow and full of hairpin bends, certainly not for the faint hearted. Sometimes, only one vehicle can pass and one has to give way.

Our last night in Sorrento, Marco cooked us a dinner we will not soon forget. His specialty chicken and milk fish. He also went out of his way to provide us some dessert which we did not even order. Marco's dad was also a very nice gentleman and made our stay here truly memorable.

When we left on the 24th November 2010, we did so with a heavy heart and wondered why we did not plan a longer stay here. But as we all know all goods things must end and we hope to come back to this gem of a place tucked away off the not so beaten track.

This place is highly recommended for romantics, honeymooners, couples with or without kids. Kids will love Kyra and Fendi (the alsatian with an obsession for rocks). Gentle dogs for the kids to play with.

A word of reminder though, as this place is about 10-15 minutes by bus to Sorrento. The walk from the main road (bus stop) to Casale is another about 10 minutes but with the fresh air around, who really cares.

Not for party animals though!

I don't think I need to write a full review since others have said more or less what I'd say, which is all good. The walk didn't bother me and I actually timed it as 10 mins down to the center, 20 mins to hit the main piazza. I'm a fast walker though. I actually quite enjoyed it. You get a nice view over the bay as you're walking.

I had Wi-Fi details, but from my room the signal was too weak and therefore I couldn't actually use it.

The only thing I want to add that hasn't been mentioned (to my knowledge) is that while people have said the road is narrow, nobody seems to have mentioned that the footpath literally ends and you have to walk along the edge of the road with fast moving traffic in both directions. You're boxed in between a wall and the narrow twisty road and the buses etc travel around it very quickly. If you're not careful you could have an accident.

I walked every day except when I had my luggage on the first and last days, in which case it's easy to take a bus.

Budget B&B set in a very quiet area within a Lemon Orchard on the side of a hill with veiws across the Bay of Naples. Rooms were a reasonable size and clean. In room safe not working, trouble with door lock (fixed). Staff were friendly and obliging, particularly Alex the groundsman and the housemaid. Marco the owner was non commital on requests which rarely eventuated. Access from main road is very steep and difficult in the wet. Luggage a real issue to haul up and down. Taxis don't know about back road access and dropped us at bottom of laneway. Taxi 25 euro from station, bus 2.4 euro. Good basic restaurant in camping ground across the road.