"Why book? Private beach on the Amalfi Coast. Sexy beach club. Shelter magazine style. Enough said. Set the scene If you wanted to land the most plum address on the Amalfi, this would be it—Sofia Loren had her hideaway within view of the hotel, after all. Perched high in the cliffs, built into the rock face overlooking the sea, and within view of the sweet fishing village of Conca dei Marini, the property is just a quick drive to Amalfi, but still feels a million miles away from the tourists. Pack up your Missoni and Fendi, and act like you’re an extra in an achingly chic 1960s Italian flick. The backstory Borgo Santandrea is owned by two families from neighboring Ischia with deep hospitality roots. They bought an existing 1960s hotel and embarked on a three-year labor of love, unveiling the property’s bones and then creating a new vision and design that would only add to the original appeal. The rooms Inspired by Italian star designer Gio Ponti’s work at the Parco dei Principi in Sorrento—think blue and white tiles, blue bathtubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows that capitalize on the property’s natural light—the work was completed by a magical crew of local Amalfitano artisans like ceramists (the 31 tile types here are truly spectacular and took two years to complete) and ironmongers, as well as garden designers for the interlocking fragrant terraces. The hotel is also a veritable “who’s who” of mid-century design heavyweights from the owner’s personal collection, like Hans Wegner and Carlo Mollino. All rooms have balconies and sea views, but ask for an infinity pool option if you don’t want to have to go to the sea or communal pool to cool off. Food and drink Michelin-starred Crescenzo Scotti oversees three restaurants on site: the Alici, La Libreria and Al Borgo. While the first two are lovely for a meal or two, it’s the informal beach club/barefoot vibe of Al Borgo that captured our heart with its fritto misto, spaghetti alle vongole, and caprese with sun-warmed tomatoes. Don’t miss a Negroni on the terrace bar come sunset. The spa The property’s small spa will debut Summer 2022—with the aptly named Cupido, a treatment room for two; a sauna; and a sea view terrace for outdoor massages. The gym’s elliptical and treadmill positions let guests work out with a view. The neighborhood/area The fishing village of Conca dei Marini remains a lovely reminder of what this whole coast was once like—sleepy, charming, lost in time. Don’t miss the cathedral in Amalfi at dusk, a meal at Jackie O’s beloved La Tonnarella, or a hike to the upper, less visited part of Ravello. The service Warm and conversational when the time is right, the staff waits for you to set the tone. Looking to live out your yachting fantasies? The concierge has a number of boat options on offer; and although they come with a hefty price tag, it’s worth it for a statement-making occasion. For families While kids over eight are welcome, this property is perhaps best enjoyed in the company of adults. Eco effort Energy saving technologies, state-of-the-art waste management systems, electric vehicles, and plastic reduction strategies are all here, and the property prioritizes local farmers and ingredients. Accessibility At 900 feet high, accessibility played a critical role in the project. The designers came up with an infrastructure that started with eight elevators to make everything accessible, from the private beach at the base of the cliff to the terrace at the top of the hotel. Anything left to mention? Watersports like canoeing and stand-up paddling are among the distractions on site, while the “344 steps in heaven,” a path that runs from the beach club at the foot of the property up to the top of the hotel, is a must for the goal-driven. Finally, in 100 words or less, what makes this hotel worthy of Hot List? While the Amalfi Coast’s dirty little secret is its lack of beaches (which become jam-packed come high season), Borgo Santandrea comes with a fabulous private one—and a chic beach club for its guests. That alone would be enough to make us book, but its stylish restoration with landscaped gardens and museum-worthy vintage pieces also make it one of the most exciting Italian arrivals in years." - Ondine Cohane
