I sit here on this gloomy New York bank holiday gazing at my favorite webcam of the Bay of Naples from the Grand Aminta Hotel and dream about the sunny day ahead in Sorrento. Picture it, the light of the Amalfi Coast wakens you to the possibility of a new adventure along the coast or just a day of total relaxation. It is Italy, afterall, and they do relaxing very well!
Now, if you have been reading this blog long enough, then you know, my favorite way of relaxing is indulging in spa treatments. I have done so all over the world and there is none better than the treatments at La Serra Boutique Spa at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento. The spa itself is pleasant, and not luxurious by American standards, but the therapists are top notch. I have had treatments in Rome on the Via Veneto and in Castellamare on the Amalfi Coast, but I have not found anyone better than the women who work at La Serra.
- View from terrace at La Serra Boutique Spa, Sorrento, Italy
While staying at the hotel may be out of reach for many travelers because it is on the pricey side, the cost of treatments at La Serra is about what you would expect, with a 50 minute massage costing 95 euro (about $136) whether it is an anti-stress, aromatic, sport or Swedish massage. They don’t charge you extra for aromatic oils the way some spas do (as if the cost of 3 drops of oil costs them so much more than 3 drops of lotion!)
Oddly, the 60 minute facials at La Serra, at 100 euro, cost more than the massages. I have never had one but plan to indulge a presto. They also offer an a la carte menu of rose petal, detox and stress relief rituals, among others. Just treat yourself and imagine being swept back in time to the era of Roman gods and cabana boys peeling you grapes.
Hey, let’s face it, even a rainy day in Sorrento is not bad.
And when you’re ready to book that solo trip of a lifetime or a special honeymoon, let our Amalfi Coast travel consultant help plan the journey of your dreams.
LaSerra in Sorrento looks fabulous! I\’ll be spending a week with friends in Tuscany the end of July 2010. I would love to find a reasonably priced spa where I could stay for two or three nights somewhere between Florence and Geneva, my city of departure.
Regards! Denise
Hi Denise and thanks for stopping by. I have only been to one spa in Tuscany and it was wonderful but it’s a bit far from Florence. However, the trip is worth it as the area surrounding it offers a lot to see.
Fonteverde
I was in Sorrento in 2009 and I was not feeling well at all when I arrived. My friend and I went for a day trip in Ischia, and I went to the spa there. I had two different kinds of massages there, and the therapist that worked on me performed miracles. When I left there, I felt fine and continued to feel wonderful the remainder of my trip. It was, by far, one of the best and most healing massages I’ve ever had.
Michelle,
Portland, OR
Thanks Michelle for stopping by. Now I am curious because Ischia is on my next itinerary. What’s the name of that spa? please share.
great to know! I have had many dissapointing spa treatments in italy…generally find the massages to be too wimpy! Never had a facial though, and will start saving my Euros for one next time we hit the amalfi coast
Yes – I totally agree. In Italy and the UK, I have found the therapists a bit on the weak side, as if they’re making gnocchi, instead of loosening tight muscles. On the other hand, in Athens I had Helga the Barbarian (only therapist to ever leave me with bruises). Good and bad all over, I guess. I just know you won’t be disappointed at La Serra.
Hi Wanderlust Women!
Try to go to Ischia -Italy and probably find not a muscled therapist but people able to do well.Ischia is one of the most beautiful island of the Gulf of Naples, well Known for its thermal water .Try to find some information about the Poseidon garden(Ischia) and you culd get images related to the gardens …….it seems a Paradise. I know that the staff is well prepared and informed about all the artitic desease and more.
Ciao Marina,
It is so funny that you mention Ischia because that is my plan for my next visit this spring.
I am glad you stopped by to leave a comment. How did you find my blog?
Please visit again.
Piacere conoscerla,
Lisa
Hi Lisa!
I knew you thanks Jessica Spiegel , the travel writer who loves so much Italy to become a reference point for everybody interested on visiting Italy. Italylogue is her site and I do represent Naples with great honour.