After reading the reviews left by other people about this hotel, it pretty much worries me the fact that everyone expects that little bit too much.

I'll go systematic about this review.

The BAD side:
1 - no help with you luggage when you check in, but that's ok - (what do you expect, it's family run)
2 - parking - slightly on the pricey side, but you can negotiate that in advance - the problem is that parking in the area is a sort of monopoly
3 - Aircon, - everyone seems to be moaning about that. Well it's true, no aircon, but beleive me, no aircon is needed with the nice breeze there is.
4 - hospitality - the owner is a bit grumpy, but so what - the rest of the staff, especially his wife, make up for it.

The GOOD side:
1 - Setting - it's idyllic, and set in one of the most extraordinary settings I've ever been.
2 - Price - Really moderate
3 - Location - bang on in the centre of the coast and 30 / 45 mins away by car to every single site of interest on the Sorrento / Amalfi area. It even has a ferry to Capri.
4 - Beach - Rooms overlooking the beach. wonderful at night. Relaxing during the day.
5 - Fisherman - it's a fishing village, what do you expect - it actually adds to the atmosphere, if you happen to understand one ounce about what Italian seaside places are all about. Actually I look at the bright side of it. In the morning I saw the fish I was going to eat in the evening.
6 - Assistance - the lady suggested very nice places where to eat and do our souvenir shopping, and we were never given bad looks when we went to eat in nearby places - one of which being hotel Onda Verde.
7 - Breakfast - as simple and Italian as it can be. Wonderful coffee and pastry.

Basically if you expect better things in life, find yourself a 5 star hotel, but you'll be missing in on the real deal.

A 5 star hotel could have never given us the experience we've had from this hotel. Some things can be improved. But nobody's perfect. I'm sure they will though.

I'll definitely go back if ever in the area, even just for a nice plate of home-made pasta....and the lady's smile.

Steve Ciantar - Malta

I am shocked at the above reviews. I stayed here in June 07 and loved it. The staff could not have been nicer. Yes the cleaning lady was very sweet but the reception staff were also exceptional. I dont understan why people write such terrible reviews. The hotel restaurant is fantastic. It is a family run hotle and we welcomed into their family each and every day. The rooms were exceptioanlly clean and the air conditioning worked perfectly. This hotel has an excellent location right on the beach and the price is perfect. I would stay here again without hesitation

This is a terrible hotel. Standard rooms don't have air conditioning and you must leave the balcony doors open at night wth the result you will be awoken from approx 4.30am with the noise of the fishermen getting ready for the day. One morning there was a guy drilling at 5.30am beneath our window. The staff are so rude it surprises me that they can run a hotel.
The cleaning lady is a lovely person and will help you if she can. If you dare have your meal in one of the two nearby restaurants where the hotel staff can see you, you will be treated as the enemy. Also, half sunbeds in front of the hotel are owned by the hotel and the other half belongs to a nice old guy. If you take one of his sunbeds you are really looking for trouble. The walk up the cliff to the main road, will test the stamina of the strongest athlete. Food in the hotel is average and very pricey. Taxis don't like to go down the cliff to the hotel as it ruins the engine getting back up the hill. The real problem with this hotel is the staff are so rude and vindictive.

I will start with the positive.

The location is amazing - it is absolutely beautiful. It is not
touristy at all and at night time is very quiet. There are 2 fantastic
restaurants on the beach here. There are some great places to lay in the sun
and the water is beautiful. The cleaning person is just the sweetest,
kindest person - always had a great smile and warm welcomes for us when
we saw her in the morning.

The negative

This hotel is not at all worth the $$$. The staff is terribly rude and
unhelpful. If this is your first time here, you will definitely need
some advice and they will not give it to you. In fact, I do believe that
actually do not want hotel guests there at all. The rooms are as sparse
as sparse can be. The entire bathroom is the shower - the drain is in
the middle of the room (you have to remove everything in there to take a
shower). In the morning the fisherman who work in this area are quite
loud as they all yell out directions to one another. And be prepared to
walk a pretty steep, bumpy hill to get to the main road where the bus
stop is.

We heard some pretty fantastic reviews from people staying at the hotel
next door at the Onda Verde (and it has an elevator!). The cost is just
a minor $20-$30 more a night and from the sound of it, well, well,
well, worth it. We highly suggest the area, especially to get away from the
crowds, and the hustle and bustle of the other areas, but warn - do not
stay at the Alfonso a Mare - especially since there is a beautiful
hotel next door with staff that actually want you there and want to help
you have a great trip.