I’ve Stayed at This Amalfi Coast Lodge 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 trying up on the lodge from the seaside. Each instances, I should have had my mouth open with surprise as a result of a seaside attendant requested me, twice, if every thing was OK. That sums up the magic of Borgo Santandrea in a paragraph.

While you stand on the shore of the Italian lodge’s personal seaside membership and search for, you may see that the lodge is sort of embedded into the aspect of the mountain. Beneath it sits a formidable cave, nearly like an open mouth, the place, a valet instructed me, they set nativity scenes into the caves alongside the road through the holidays.

Throughout the summer season, it’s bordered by vibrant purple bougainvillea, which covers nearly every thing on the Borgo. Each stroll is replete with flowers contrasted by olive and lemon bushes, the latter hanging heavy with shiny yellow fruit. Little issues like this make it inconceivable to withstand the great 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 couple of years in the past, shortly after the lodge opened. It was so magical then that I vowed to return sometime. The second time, nonetheless, occurred to be with my 11-year-old daughter. I cherished my first go to, however the second journey satisfied me that Borgo Santandrea isn’t a one-trick pony — a rarity in Amalfi, the place honeymoon resorts dot the shoreline.

The lodge’s proprietor and basic supervisor, Maurizio Orlacchio, enlisted architect Rino Gambardella to remodel the property from the Sixties into trendy Mediterranean class — with a wink to its mid-century trendy 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 resorts 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 stage reveals a number of rooms, eating places, bars, swimming swimming pools, and the seaside membership. My daughter and I cherished strolling down the meandering stairs of the constructing. They’re so plentiful that you simply get somewhat dizzy, but it surely’s stunning sufficient to warrant the trace of hazard. (There are, nonetheless, elevators for those who choose a extra direct route or have mobility issues.) You lastly emerge into an extended, 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 effectively worthy of its recognition on our 2022 It Listing. It’s a particular place I really 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 finished a incredible job changing the Arab-influenced constructing right into a smooth, trendy 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 up to date furnishings with a uncommon classic assortment and strategically locations artifacts all through the lodge and its rooms. The small print even prolong 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 personal 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 a classy open kitchen, the place stainless-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. Throughout the day, there’s a informal spot close to the seaside 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 rework all through the night.

One in every of my daughter’s favourite promoting factors was home made 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 suggest El Zefferino, a family-run restaurant on the opposite aspect of the seaside that isn’t affiliated with the lodge. You’ve by no means had higher spaghetti with clam sauce, and so they serve jugs of wine stuffed 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 seaside gives loads of free actions like kayaking and snorkeling, and there’s a big primo rock that adults and youngsters like to leap off of. Nevertheless, you may sunbathe on the shiny black volcanic rocks that harm your toes however surprisingly really feel good to lie on when warmed by the solar. One of many cutest issues in regards to the seaside is the throwback cabanas adorned with the standard striped sample. Chairs on the seaside are comfy (by Italian seaside membership requirements), and the mounted plastic umbrellas present a respite from the solar’s warmth — and now have useful hooks to 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 manage a visit for an added price. On-site, there’s a saltwater pool above the seaside and a health club with adequate gear. All the things 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 automobile to Amalfi must you need to store or dine within the small city. The lodge’s linked concierge will help you manage all of it, however make reservations for every thing as a result of the world books up prematurely.

Household-friendly Choices

The lodge permits kids aged 8 and as much as keep on the property. There are a number of interconnecting rooms or suites, and most of the actions might be tailor-made to the household, equivalent to 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 mentioned our boat day was the very best, however she additionally particularly loved the free watersports, like kayaks — a good way to absorb the lodge’s magnificence from the water.

Lots of the actions are family-friendly. The lodge will help 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 completely satisfied to sit down on the shore and store in Amalfi, the place the costs are comparatively decrease than in cities equivalent to Capri and Positano. (Trace: Purchase the customized sandals everywhere in the space there.) As I discussed, the world might be busy, particularly when attempting to take all of it in, so it is 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 might be tough, and it is a good first cease, regardless that it’s a bit longer than a drive from Naples than Positano or Sorrento. Have an espresso on the airport and have the lodge manage its automobile service to take you to the lodge. It will likely be lunchtime for those who’re coming from the East Coast, which suggests you may indulge within the seaside restaurant.

There’s little you may stroll to from the lodge since it’s on a windy road alongside the coast 10 minutes exterior 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 test into and calm down, punctuated by the occasional day journey — though loads of alternatives are close by that the concierge can manage for you. A rental automobile isn’t beneficial since there may be little parking, and it’s typically not beneficial in Amalfi because of congestion and the dearth of parking. You can even attain it by personal 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. Motels use the chance to make enhancements, and Borgo is not any completely different. There are few alternatives for reductions since it is a luxurious lodge, however Orlacchio recommends reserving prematurely to get the very best rooms to suit your funds.