Luxury

Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)

by Lavinia Colonna Preti

In Amalfi, the only five-star hotel with private access to the sea, a legend of international hospitality nestled among the cliffs of the coast with a wonderful view of the Gulf of Salerno

Few hotels can count on a similar list of international awards, illustrious names among customers and uniqueness that make it one of the most appreciated in the world. And, on the other hand, you can just admire a sunset from one of its terraces to understand the reason for the myth that surrounds it.

Its glorious history begins in 1880 when Giuseppe Gambardella, a doctor from Amalfi, built the original building as a home for his family and later, having understood that that wonderful view had to be “shared” with others, together with his wife and son he renovated the property, creating the first six guest rooms.

Taking care of our guests is a family tradition for us and each of them feels like they are part of it.

(Giusi and Ninni Gambardella)

Since 1904, the year of the inauguration of the Hotel Santa Caterina, the Gambardella family has always passionately continued the work of expanding and renovating the structure, up to the incredible creation, completely overlooking the sea, of a resort with 66 rooms and suites and 3 villas.

Two generations later, today it is Crescenzo’s daughters, Giusi and Ninni Gambardella, assisted by their respective sons, who personally take care of the Hotel, ensuring that each guest has an unforgettable stay in what, despite its growth, still remains an intimate and exclusive “home”.

Today, more than 100 years later, the hotel is part of The Leading Hotels of the World and the initial allure of the elegant Art Nouveau villa, intended as an exclusive private residence, luckily is still firmly there.

Its hospitality is legendary and loved by great names in art and cinema such as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who began their love story here during the filming of Cleopatra, or Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie who, while making Mr & Mrs Smith made their relationship public during a stay in one of the suites of Santa Caterina.

Located in an incredible panoramic position, the hotel nestles in the rock and opens up to the sun and the sea of Amalfi, immersed in a wonderful centuries-old garden, with vegetable gardens, lemon groves, and plants and flowers of rare species such as the Dwarf palm or a particular type of fern, the Woodwardia radicans.

The rooms are each different from the other with interiors embellished with nineteenth-century antiques, the characteristic Vietri majolica, hand-painted ceramic tiles, and bathrooms with precious marble details.

There are many wonderful suites to choose from, such as the Juliet and Romeo Chalet Suite which opens onto a circular terrace, overlooking the sea with a Jacuzzi tub and a private garden with a heated infinity pool.

Often cited “as the most beautiful in the world”, 2 lifts carved into the rock (but if you want you can also take the panoramic path surrounded by citrus groves and flowers) take you to sea level where the Beach Club is located. The amazing complex includes a swimming pool with heated sea water, a bar, a solarium, a spa and a fitness centre.

There are two restaurants at the Santa Caterina, both led by chef Giuseppe Stanzione, already a Michelin star at the Le Trabe restaurant in Paestum: the Ristorante Glicine, 1 Michelin star open in the evening with the adjacent Bar La Terrazza, and the Ristorante Al Mare, open for lunch and dinner, where you can try the great classics of Campania cuisine from Spaghettini with lemon to traditional pizza.

The Hotel also offers a convenient shuttle service that takes you, whenever you wish, to the center of Amalfi.

A true paradise on earth and an experience to try at least once in a lifetime.

The Secret

In 1899 a landslide compromised the renovation work on the hotel, but the Gambardella family did not lose heart and after 5 years of sacrifices the new Hotel Santa Caterina was reopened on 4 February 1904.

Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)
Hotel Santa Caterina (SA)

Useful Info

Hotel Santa Caterina
Via Mauro Comite 9
84011 Amalfi, Salerno
Tel. +39 089 871012

Rooms: classic ones starting from 550 euro

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