Perched above the Mediterranean with a view of Italy’s glorious Amalfi Coast, you’ll find Caruso, A Belmond Hotel. Set in a former 11th-century palace somewhere between the sea and the sky, one can meander through tiered groves of lemons and olive vines. This is one of the most exclusive luxury hotels that Italy has to offer and upon arrival I felt as if I was in an Amalfi dream!
The hotel has fifty unique rooms and suites with intriguing historical details. They exude elegance with hand-picked antique furniture, four-poster beds, hand-crafted terracotta floors, and neoclassical antiques. Each accommodation type has a balcony overlooking the sparkling sea and luxurious bathrooms with Acqua di Parma bath products.
The hotel’s centerpiece is perhaps one of the planet’s greatest pools. It’s an infinity pool that is perched precariously at the highest point of the town of Ravello. From it you can see what seems to be hundreds of miles of the Italian coastline.
Hotel Caruso also offers wonderful experiences for hotel guests such as a complimentary two and a half hour mini-cruise on their traditional wooden boat ‘Ercole’. It offers views of the majestic coastline from Amalfi to Positano and back. Towels, soft drinks and bottled water were provided onboard. At one point on the cruise the captain stopped the boat so we could enjoy a swim in the crystal sea. On arrival at the Amalfi port after the cruise, there was a shuttle that brought us back to the hotel. The travel time to and from the port is 20 minutes.
The hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle bus service that runs daily at scheduled times from Ravello to Amalfi and Positano. The journey to Amalfi takes about 15 to 20 minutes and the travelling time to Positano is approximately 1 hour.
Guests also have access to the beach club, Il Lido degli Artisti. The hotel’s shuttle escorts guests to the harbor and from there one can sail to a secluded paradise by private boat. Upon arrival at the charming beach, sun loungers and parasols await.
If you’re a fashionista, shopping at the hotel’s fine fashion boutique is a must! There are beautifully designed clothing, accessories, jewelry and souvenirs for discerning customers. All of the products are hand-picked or exclusively designed for the hotel.
At Caruso, aperitivo time is celebrated and one can unwind at Il Loggiato with an innovative cocktail or glass of fine wine. There’s live music and dazzling coastal views. It hits all of the Amalfi high notes in my book!
For my birthday dinner, I dined at the Ristorante Belvedere located onsite. It is famed for its fresh, local dishes that showcase the vibrant flavors of Italy. Chef Mimmo di Raffaele takes guests on a tantalizing journey of discovery, where traditional Italian specialities inspire innovative dishes. Mimmo was born not far from Ravello, in Caserta, a city in Italy’s Campania region.
We dined on the outdoor terrace while soaking up the endless sea views and indulged in Spaghetti alle vongole. As for dessert, the staff surprised me with tiramisu and the plate read, “Happy Birthday Rachel” in chocolate sauce.
Each morning I looked forward to breakfast on the expansive outdoor balcony and indulged in Italian delights while gazing out over the coast. I found myself not having any willpower for the croissants with lemon custard inside, they were heavenly!
Overall, the service at Caruso was very attentive, detail-oriented, and accommodating. The staff was very thoughtful and for my birthday they gave me Chef Mimmo di Raffaele’s book with his signature. This was truly the icing on the cake of a wonderful stay. I’m not sure I will top this birthday in the future…
