Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast

"A quiet town on the Amalfi Coast known for its stunning views and luxurious accommodations. Ideal for relaxation and enjoying the coastal scenery."

"People talk about old classics, but this one has roots dating back to the 11th century. Shipwrecked en route to Constantinople, a wealthy Italian family built the foundations of the Caruso on a limestone bluff above Ravello, a symbol of their power and good fortune to have escaped unharmed. And here, their high eyrie remained, withstanding the wars of the Middle Ages, neglected, repaired, neglected again, until 1893 when Pantaleone Caruso stepped in and turned it into a hotel. Belmond (then Orient-Express hotels) took over in 2000 and began a serious restoration: Art historians were shipped in to unearth the building’s Arcadian frescos, and archaeologists arrived to uncover the original medieval foundations. Today, Old Masters hang in the marble corridors and the 50 bedrooms have been brought up-to-date, but not charm-crushingly modernized. They retain their original vaulted ceilings, stone fireplaces, and terra-cotta tiles, and have bathrooms stashed with bottles of Penhaligon’s. It has just opened Villa Margherita too, a two-bedroom retreat deep in the heady gardens. Guests feast on lunches of lobster, langoustine, and truffles, or head down to the water to explore the craggy coastline on the hotel’s pretty wooden boat. It’s a place synonymous with seclusion, with its lemon-scented air and hanging gardens spilling down onto the Tyrrhenian Sea, stony nooks, and quiet spots to sit and take in the dizzying views. And romance: It is said to be where Jackie Kennedy and Gianni Agnelli began their affair, where Humphrey Bogart, Greta Garbo, and Virginia Woolf came to hide out. A truly brightening, timeless place. —Martha Ward" - Jamie Spain

"The Caruso has long been one of the Amalfi’s highlights. High on a cliffside in Ravello, the view of the coast from its terrace has been described as the most beautiful in the world by no less an authority than Gore Vidal. Rooms wind and wend through the building, each different, all sumptuously furnished and most with views that range from rather good to jaw-dropping. It’s been renovated, yes, but hardly modernized — it’s still got the classic looks (and old-world service) that made it a favorite in the first place." - The MICHELIN Guide

"People talk about old classics, but this one has roots dating back to the 11th century. Shipwrecked en route to Constantinople, a wealthy Italian family built the foundations of the Caruso on a limestone bluff above Ravello, a symbol of their power and good fortune to have escaped unharmed. And here, their high eyrie remained, withstanding the wars of the Middle Ages, neglected, repaired, neglected again, until 1893 when Pantaleone Caruso stepped in and turned it into a hotel. Belmond (then Orient-Express hotels) took over in 2000 and began a serious restoration: art historians were shipped in to unearth the building’s Arcadian frescos, and archaeologists arrived to uncover the original medieval foundations. Today, Old Masters hang in the marble corridors and the 50 bedrooms have been brought up-to-date, but not charm-crushingly modernized. They retain their original vaulted ceilings, stone fireplaces and terra cotta tiles, and have bathrooms stashed with bottles of Penhaligon’s. It has just opened Villa Margherita too, a two-bedroom retreat deep in the heady gardens. Guests feast on lunches of lobster, langoustine, and truffles, or head down to the water to explore the craggy coastline on the hotel’s pretty wooden boat. It’s a place synonymous with seclusion, with its lemon-scented air and hanging gardens spilling down onto the Tyrrhenian Sea, stony nooks, and quiet spots to sit and take in the dizzying views. And romance: it is said to be where Jackie Kennedy and Gianni Agnelli began their affair, where Humphrey Bogart, Greta Garbo, and Virginia Woolf came to hide out. A truly brightening, timeless place." - Nicholas DeRenzo, CNT Editors

"Set the scene for us: Where is this place, and what does it look like? An Old Master cliffhanger, a triumph of painstaking restoration work, with one of the most filmic settings of any hotel in Italy. The Amalfi Coast has become something of a cliché, but this reminds you what all the fuss was about in the first place. Mesmerizing and magnificent. Calm and uplifting. Wow—that’s quite the talk-up. What’s the story behind it? The original ivy-clad building dates to the 11th century but didn’t become a hotel until the late 1800s, when Pantaleone Caruso ran it as a pensione, drawing Virginia Woolf and other Bloomsbury types, and later Jackie Kennedy, Humphrey Bogart, and Greta Garbo. The Belmond group took it over in 2000 and began a four-year period of renovation, bringing in art historians and archaeologists while updating its design. Sounds like quite the undertaking. What can we expect from the bedrooms? Almost all have private terraces or gardens, and the original frescoes and vaulted ceilings add to the feeling of absolute splendor. Villa Margherita is the recently added standalone guesthouse, with a private terrace overlooking the sea—breakfast in bed takes on a whole new meaning. We can’t wait to try that. How about the food and drink—what’s on offer? Lobster. Vongole. Fresh fish. All manner of breads and breadsticks and snacky deliciousness. The Bubbles Bar for Champagne. Those staying at Villa M Margherita will have their own personal chef on speed dial. Breakfast is on yet another of those wonderful terraces. Yum. Anything stand out about the service? Immaculate and omnipresent—excellent poolside service, too. There’s enough room in the gardens to tuck yourself away for a horizontal afternoon on a sunbed. It never feels busy here. Excellent. What type of person stays here? Chic and quiet, treating themselves to time away in a restorative place. Got it. What’s the surrounding area like? Just steps away is Ravello, great for a drink in one of the restaurants on the square and ceramics shopping. Perfect. Anything we missed? The spa—you can have a massage in a gazebo in the garden. We’ll certainly sign up for that. So, is it worth it—and why? Yes. For the astonishing views, and the pool, and the secluded little nooks dotted all around—so you can creep away to write that novel." - Martha Ward