Hotel Santa Caterina
Amalfi
OVERVIEW
In a postcard-worthy setting overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, Amalfi’s Santa Caterina is a jewel nestled into the cliffs, exuding old-world Italian glamour. The villa is exquisitely kept but it’s history ensures it – run by the fourth generation of the family that opened it as a hotel in 1904, the owners are well and truly invested in the hotel’s past, present and future.
Step behind the hotel’s walls and you’ll be swept up in the citrus groves, terraced gardens and pergola-framed vistas that flow down to the sea below. Santa Caterina is blessed with one of those best-of-both-worlds locations that means solitude and serenity away from the bustle, but also close to Amalfi (just outside in fact) and ideal for visits to Ravello, Positano and Capri, easily reached by bus or ferry.
The 19th-century mansion is packed to the rafters with family antiques, but it’s certainly not stuffy. Whitewashed walls feel cool and calm while the overall atmosphere is of cosy familiarity – even if it’s your first visit you’ll feel part of the family, and it’s unlikely to be your last…
SUMMARY
Rooms: 66
Location: Amalfi Coast, Italy
Nearest Airport: Naples Airport
Board Basis: Bed & Breakfast, Half Board, Full Board
6 Reasons to visit Santa Caterina
- The experience is so fantastic that repeat bookings amount to almost 40 per cent
- Opened as a hotel in 1904, this hotel has a long legacy of fine service and attention to detail
- Ideally placed on the Amalfi Coast for visits to the surrounding towns and Capri
- Glass lift takes you down to the pool, bar, beach restaurants and bobbing boats
- There’s dancing and live music down at the bar on Tuesday nights – unmissable
- Bijou but very accommodating spa will ensure you look and feel your best throughout
To refresh after a heavy night of knocking back the limoncello head to the hotel’s ‘Scottish shower’ which helps to wake you up and revitalise the skin.
Where to stay
Choose from the romantic standalone suites peppered around the hotel’s gardens or perhaps one of the 55 rooms in the house – the two romantic honeymoon suites are perfect for a break holed up in the hills. All of the rooms and suites are filled with antiques accumulated by the Gambardella family which only enhance the Belle Époque splendour. The hand-painted and white ceramic floors and whitewashed walls are set off by splashes of Mediterranean colour.
To refresh after a heavy night of knocking back the limoncello head to the hotel’s ‘Scottish shower’ which helps to wake you up and revitalise the skin.
What to do
Whilst there is plenty to do on your doorstep with the centre of Amalfi and Positano not too far away, it is worth a day or two to explore more of the surrounding area. The Bay of Naples can be viewed from Sorrento, just a 50 minute drive from the hotel. Sorrento is also a great place to pick up souvenirs and from where you can take a boat trip to the island of Capri. Delve deeper into the archaeology of the region and see the power of nature with visits to Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum, all less than an hour and a half away.
To refresh after a heavy night of knocking back the limoncello head to the hotel’s ‘Scottish shower’ which helps to wake you up and revitalise the skin.
What and Where to Eat
With the centre of Amalfi a 15-minute walk away (there is a shuttle bus for those in a hurry) it’s worth exploring the local restaurants and bars. However, don’t overlook the hotel’s two fabulous restaurants for delicious menus. The hotel even displays its more popular recipes on its website so that you can continue those Mediterranean-inspired flavours when you get home.
To refresh after a heavy night of knocking back the limoncello head to the hotel’s ‘Scottish shower’ which helps to wake you up and revitalise the skin.
When to travel
The season in Amalfi typically starts at Easter and runs until the beginning of August. During high summer, temperatures can soar and the roads and resorts become quite crowded. The ideal time to visit is in May, June and September, when you’ll find pleasant temperatures, abundant blooms and fewer tourists.
WEATHER: Coastal breezes keep Amalfi cool even in the hottest months, with sunny skies and warm temperatures from May to September.
| Month | Temp(C) |
Sun(hrs) |
Rain(mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
Jan |
12 | 4 | 47 |
Feb |
13 | 4 | 30 |
Mar |
15 | 5 | 28 |
Apr |
18 | 6 | 38 |
May |
22 | 8 | 29 |
Jun |
26 | 9 | 32 |
Jul |
29 | 10 | 24 |
Aug |
29 | 10 | 37 |
Sep |
26 | 8 | 44 |
Oct |
22 | 6 | 37 |
Nov |
17 | 4 | 49 |
Dec |
13 | 3 | 65 |