I’ve Stayed at This Amalfi Coast Resort Twice Now — This is Why It is Good for {Couples} and Households

Each instances I stayed on the Borgo Santandrea in Conca dei Marini, I couldn’t cease wanting up on the lodge from the seashore. Each instances, I will need to have had my mouth open with marvel as a result of a seashore attendant requested me, twice, if all the pieces was OK. That sums up the magic of Borgo Santandrea in a paragraph.

Whenever you stand on the shore of the Italian lodge’s non-public seashore membership and lookup, you may see that the lodge is sort of embedded into the facet of the mountain. Beneath it sits a formidable cave, nearly like an open mouth, the place, a valet informed me, they set nativity scenes into the caves alongside the road throughout the holidays.

Through the summer season, it’s bordered by vibrant purple bougainvillea, which covers nearly all the pieces on the Borgo. Each stroll is replete with flowers contrasted by olive and lemon timber, the latter hanging heavy with brilliant yellow fruit. Little issues like this make it unimaginable to withstand the fantastic thing about this mesmerizing luxurious lodge between Positano and Amalfi.

The otherworldly setting drew me to Borgo Santandrea for the primary time throughout my honeymoon a number of years in the past, shortly after the lodge opened. It was so magical then that I vowed to return sometime. The second time, nevertheless, occurred to be with my 11-year-old daughter. I cherished my first go to, however the second journey satisfied me that Borgo Santandrea just isn’t a one-trick pony — a rarity in Amalfi, the place honeymoon motels dot the shoreline.

The lodge’s proprietor and common supervisor, Maurizio Orlacchio, enlisted architect Rino Gambardella to rework the property from the Sixties into fashionable Mediterranean class — with a wink to its mid-century fashionable previous. I’d say they succeeded. After a five-year renovation and three years in enterprise, the lodge has grown to 52 rooms towards the dazzling backdrop of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Amalfi Coast.

Like many motels within the space, the Borgo is sort of hidden from the road, making it really feel like a secret. You journey down to succeed in the lodge, and every degree reveals a number of rooms, eating places, bars, swimming swimming pools, and the seashore membership. My daughter and I cherished strolling down the meandering stairs of the constructing. They’re so plentiful that you simply get a bit dizzy, but it surely’s stunning sufficient to warrant the trace of hazard. (There are, nevertheless, elevators if you happen to favor a extra direct route or have mobility issues.) You lastly emerge into a protracted, warmly lit hallway with a curved ceiling — good for selfies or capturing candids strolling towards the glimmering darkish blue water.

The property is stuffed with hidden secrets and techniques ready to thrill and nicely worthy of its recognition on our 2022 It Listing. It’s a particular place I like, and I can’t wait to return. Learn on for my full overview.

The Rooms

The lodge’s magnificence will make you cease and stare typically.

They’ve performed a incredible job changing the Arab-influenced constructing right into a glossy, fashionable masterpiece. Gambardella enlisted native artisans to create bespoke furnishings for the lodge that harkens again to its retro-modern previous. He expertly mixes the brand new modern furnishings with a uncommon classic assortment and strategically locations artifacts all through the lodge and its rooms. The small print even lengthen to the scents, with monumental glass vials of the lodge’s signature scent permeating the halls — it is so alluring that I purchased some for my house after my first go to.

Rooms have jaw-dropping panoramic sea views and vibrant blue and white tile that continues onto the patios. Many balconies oversee the water, which is a plus, though there are rooms with higher views than others, and a few even have non-public swimming pools. Every room has an Italian marble tub stocked with high-end Italian manufacturers, together with Dyson Airwrap multi-stylers and luxurious facilities like Marvis toothpaste and Acqua di Parma toiletries. Rooms are spotless, and the minibars have complimentary snacks and drinks, together with ice-cold glass bottles of Coca-Cola and native sodas.

Meals and Drink

Every day begins with an included breakfast expertise. Think about wandering by an elegant open kitchen, the place chrome steel islands overflow with artisanal salumi, creamy cheeses, and vibrant native fruits. Nicola, the breakfast ambassador who typically wears a jaunty hat, is the true gem right here. His ardour for describing every ingredient’s expertise and provenance makes mornings a culinary journey.

Below the masterful eye of govt chef Crescenzo Scotti, Borgo Santandrea has three eating places and two bars, every celebrating the wealthy flavors of Italian delicacies. At Marinella, you may savor conventional dishes on a terrace with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean — good for indulging whereas absorbing the serene ambiance.

Alici is a Michelin-starred restaurant with an open kitchen the place the chef creates culinary masterpieces from contemporary native components. Through the day, there’s a informal spot close to the seashore the place you may get pizza Margherita and different regional specialties like fried pizza and zucchini flowers. Catch the sundown at La Terrazza bar, with panoramic views that remodel all through the night.

Certainly one of my daughter’s favourite promoting factors was do-it-yourself lemonade in chilled glass pitchers served everywhere in the resort. There have been additionally small bites of lemon-infused pastries, like lemon sponge cake and almond cake, completed with delicate shiny latticework.

The meals on the restaurant is superb, however an insider tip: I additionally advocate El Zefferino, a family-run restaurant on the opposite facet of the seashore that isn’t affiliated with the lodge. You’ve by no means had higher spaghetti with clam sauce, they usually serve jugs of wine crammed with contemporary summer season peaches when in season.

Actions and Facilities

Simply since you come right here to sit down for some time doesn’t imply you will need to keep nonetheless. The lodge’s seashore gives loads of free actions like kayaking and snorkeling, and there’s a big primo rock that adults and kids like to leap off of. Nonetheless, you may sunbathe on the shiny black volcanic rocks that damage your toes however unusually really feel good to lie on when warmed by the solar. One of many cutest issues concerning the seashore is the throwback cabanas adorned with the everyday striped sample. Chairs on the seashore are snug (by Italian seashore membership requirements), and the fastened plastic umbrellas present a respite from the solar’s warmth — and still have useful hooks in your cover-up or hat.

The lodge has a non-public pier the place you may experience to city to discover or get picked up by a non-public boat for a day-long coast tour. The Borgo additionally has its personal fleet and may set up a visit for an added value. On-site, there’s a saltwater pool above the seashore and a health club with adequate gear. Every thing has a view of the water, so even the smaller spa, with just some cabins, feels deliciously luxurious within the serenity of its setting.

There are additionally shuttles by way of automotive to Amalfi do you have to wish to store or dine within the small city. The lodge’s related concierge can assist you set up all of it, however make reservations for all the pieces as a result of the world books up upfront.

Household-friendly Choices

The lodge permits youngsters aged 8 and as much as keep on the property. There are a number of interconnecting rooms or suites, and most of the actions could be tailor-made to the household, reminiscent of one of many boat excursions touring the coast’s many cities and sights just like the Blue Lagoon and the Faraglioni rock formation. My daughter stated our boat day was the perfect, however she additionally particularly loved the free watersports, like kayaks — an effective way to soak up the lodge’s magnificence from the water.

Most of the actions are family-friendly. The lodge can assist you arrange day excursions to academic locales like Pompeii and close by actions for teenagers, like lemon grove excursions and cooking courses. My daughter was blissful to sit down on the shore and store in Amalfi, the place the costs are comparatively decrease than in cities reminiscent of Capri and Positano. (Trace: Purchase the customized sandals everywhere in the space there.) As I discussed, the world could be busy, particularly when making an attempt to take all of it in, so this can be a uncommon place to cease and recharge.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The lodge is totally accessible and ADA-compliant. It has additionally made many sustainability efforts all through its renovation. A lot of the meals comes from native purveyors, and there’s a real dedication to leaving a smaller footprint.

Location

Attending to the area could be tough, and this can be a good first cease, although it’s a bit longer than a drive from Naples than Positano or Sorrento. Have an espresso on the airport and have the lodge set up its automotive service to take you to the lodge. It will likely be lunchtime if you happen to’re coming from the East Coast, which implies you may indulge within the seaside restaurant.

There’s little you may stroll to from the lodge since it’s on a windy avenue alongside the coast 10 minutes outdoors Amafl within the historic seaside village, however the lodge gives a complimentary shuttle into city in a Mercedes van or by way of a ship throughout sure hours. That is the sort of lodge you verify into and chill out, punctuated by the occasional day journey — though loads of alternatives are close by that the concierge can set up for you. A rental automotive just isn’t really helpful since there’s little parking, and it’s typically not really helpful in Amalfi as a result of congestion and the dearth of parking. You too can attain it by non-public boat, relying on the place you originate.

The best way to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

The Amalfi Coast is a seasonal vacation spot, a lot of the world is closed to tourism throughout winter months. Lodges use the chance to make enhancements, and Borgo is not any completely different. There are few alternatives for reductions since this can be a luxurious lodge, however Orlacchio recommends reserving upfront to get the perfect rooms to suit your funds.