There are trips that feel like journeys, and then there are trips that feel like stepping directly into history. My most recent visit to Italy belongs firmly to the latter—an extraordinary stay at the legendary Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento. Perched high above the Bay of Naples, with sweeping views across to Mount Vesuvius, this five-star haven is more than a hotel—it’s a living story, one that has been unfolding for nearly two centuries.
The occasion? A milestone anniversary that few properties in the world can claim: 190 years of hospitality, heritage, and timeless Italian grandeur.
A Family Invitation
A few weeks before, an envelope had arrived with a delicate crest embossed on the front. Inside was an invitation from the Fiorentino family, the sixth-generation owners who have lovingly preserved and reimagined this storied property. It was a celebration not just of longevity, but of legacy: an evening of gala festivities, the unveiling of their sparkling new La Pergola Bar à Champagne, and a reminder that some places never lose their magic, they simply refine it.
Naturally, I couldn’t resist.
Arrival in Sorrento
Though I’ve wandered southern Italy many times, this was my first trip to Sorrento—and what a first impression it made. After a direct flight into Naples and a scenic drive of just over an hour, the entrance revealed itself like something out of a dream. A wisteria-clad gate crowned with gilded art deco letters reading “Excelsior Grand Albergo Vittoria” stood as both a welcome and a promise.
Beyond lay a narrow, tree-lined road, where citrus groves and Mediterranean gardens perfumed the air with notes of orange blossom and lemon zest. By the time we reached the hotel’s terrace, overlooking that unforgettable stretch of Italian coastline, I knew this was a place where memories are not just made, but savored.
The Celebrations
The next three days were a whirlwind of elegance and joy, stitched together with the kind of detail only generations of hospitality could perfect. There was a dinner among the orange groves, where fairy lights danced above as we dined and swayed to live music. An afternoon boat ride carried us to a nearby fishing town, where we lunched at a trattoria tucked along the harbor, savoring fresh seafood and crisp white wine.
And then, the gala itself—held in the famed Vittoria Room. Its soaring frescoed ceilings, gilded detailing, and live opera created an atmosphere that felt almost cinematic. It was an evening of grandeur, yet tinged with warmth, the kind that comes from celebrating not just a hotel’s anniversary, but the countless lives and loves that have passed through its doors.
A Stay Fit for a Dream
Our suite, the Pompeii Suite, was a jewel box of Italian craftsmanship. Marble, rich fabrics, and classical detailing recalled a bygone era, yet it never felt dated—just timeless. A private balcony opened out to views that rivaled even the hotel’s grand terrace, where sunrise painted the sea in shades of rose and gold. It became our retreat between festivities, a place of quiet luxury.
Perfectly Placed
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria isn’t just a destination in itself; it’s the perfect launchpad for southern Italy’s many treasures. From its prime location above the harbor, Capri and Ischia are just a short boat ride away—ideal for those spontaneous island escapes that turn a trip into an adventure.
Hospitality, Elevated
As a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the Excelsior Vittoria embodies the art of high-touch service and hospitality. Through the Leaders Club program, every stay comes with thoughtful extras: complimentary breakfasts that rival feasts, early check-ins, late check-outs, and even surprise upgrades that make you feel more like a cherished guest than a visitor. These touches may be small in the grand scheme of a 190-year history, but they are precisely what elevate the experience into something unforgettable.
The Spirit of Sorrento
Federico Fellini once said, “Life is a combination of magic and pasta.” At Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, you can feel that sentiment woven into every detail—whether in the majesty of the frescoes, the citrus-scented pathways, or the attentive service that makes you feel part of something larger than yourself.
This isn’t just a hotel. It’s a celebration of history, of Italian artistry, and of the passion for living beautifully. And as I packed my bags at the end of my stay, I knew this wasn’t a goodbye, but a see you soon. Because some places, like some stories, call you back again and again.
At Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, every glance, every taste, every moment is a reminder: luxury may be timeless, but here, it is also alive.
A Timeless Escape to Sorrento: Celebrating 190 Years at Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
There are trips that feel like journeys, and then there are trips that feel like stepping directly into history. My most recent visit to Italy belongs firmly to the latter—an extraordinary stay at the legendary Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento. Perched high above the Bay of Naples, with sweeping views across to Mount Vesuvius, this five-star haven is more than a hotel—it’s a living story, one that has been unfolding for nearly two centuries.
The occasion? A milestone anniversary that few properties in the world can claim: 190 years of hospitality, heritage, and timeless Italian grandeur.
A Family Invitation
A few weeks before, an envelope had arrived with a delicate crest embossed on the front. Inside was an invitation from the Fiorentino family, the sixth-generation owners who have lovingly preserved and reimagined this storied property. It was a celebration not just of longevity, but of legacy: an evening of gala festivities, the unveiling of their sparkling new La Pergola Bar à Champagne, and a reminder that some places never lose their magic, they simply refine it.
Naturally, I couldn’t resist.
Arrival in Sorrento
Though I’ve wandered southern Italy many times, this was my first trip to Sorrento—and what a first impression it made. After a direct flight into Naples and a scenic drive of just over an hour, the entrance revealed itself like something out of a dream. A wisteria-clad gate crowned with gilded art deco letters reading “Excelsior Grand Albergo Vittoria” stood as both a welcome and a promise.
Beyond lay a narrow, tree-lined road, where citrus groves and Mediterranean gardens perfumed the air with notes of orange blossom and lemon zest. By the time we reached the hotel’s terrace, overlooking that unforgettable stretch of Italian coastline, I knew this was a place where memories are not just made, but savored.
The Celebrations
The next three days were a whirlwind of elegance and joy, stitched together with the kind of detail only generations of hospitality could perfect. There was a dinner among the orange groves, where fairy lights danced above as we dined and swayed to live music. An afternoon boat ride carried us to a nearby fishing town, where we lunched at a trattoria tucked along the harbor, savoring fresh seafood and crisp white wine.
And then, the gala itself—held in the famed Vittoria Room. Its soaring frescoed ceilings, gilded detailing, and live opera created an atmosphere that felt almost cinematic. It was an evening of grandeur, yet tinged with warmth, the kind that comes from celebrating not just a hotel’s anniversary, but the countless lives and loves that have passed through its doors.
A Stay Fit for a Dream
Our suite, the Pompeii Suite, was a jewel box of Italian craftsmanship. Marble, rich fabrics, and classical detailing recalled a bygone era, yet it never felt dated—just timeless. A private balcony opened out to views that rivaled even the hotel’s grand terrace, where sunrise painted the sea in shades of rose and gold. It became our retreat between festivities, a place of quiet luxury.
Perfectly Placed
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria isn’t just a destination in itself; it’s the perfect launchpad for southern Italy’s many treasures. From its prime location above the harbor, Capri and Ischia are just a short boat ride away—ideal for those spontaneous island escapes that turn a trip into an adventure.
Hospitality, Elevated
As a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the Excelsior Vittoria embodies the art of high-touch service and hospitality. Through the Leaders Club program, every stay comes with thoughtful extras: complimentary breakfasts that rival feasts, early check-ins, late check-outs, and even surprise upgrades that make you feel more like a cherished guest than a visitor. These touches may be small in the grand scheme of a 190-year history, but they are precisely what elevate the experience into something unforgettable.
The Spirit of Sorrento
Federico Fellini once said, “Life is a combination of magic and pasta.” At Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, you can feel that sentiment woven into every detail—whether in the majesty of the frescoes, the citrus-scented pathways, or the attentive service that makes you feel part of something larger than yourself.
This isn’t just a hotel. It’s a celebration of history, of Italian artistry, and of the passion for living beautifully. And as I packed my bags at the end of my stay, I knew this wasn’t a goodbye, but a see you soon. Because some places, like some stories, call you back again and again.
At Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, every glance, every taste, every moment is a reminder: luxury may be timeless, but here, it is also alive.
