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

Each instances I stayed on the Borgo Santandrea in Conca dei Marini, I couldn’t cease trying up on the resort 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 little thing was OK. That sums up the magic of Borgo Santandrea in a paragraph.

Whenever you stand on the shore of the Italian resort’s non-public seaside membership and lookup, you’ll be able to see that the resort is sort of embedded into the facet of the mountain. Beneath it sits a powerful cave, virtually like an open mouth, the place, a valet instructed me, they set nativity scenes into the caves alongside the road throughout the holidays.

In the course of the summer time, it’s bordered by vibrant purple bougainvillea, which covers virtually every little thing 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 resort 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 resort 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 is just not a one-trick pony — a rarity in Amalfi, the place honeymoon inns dot the shoreline.

The resort’s proprietor and basic supervisor, Maurizio Orlacchio, enlisted architect Rino Gambardella to rework the property from the Sixties into fashionable Mediterranean magnificence — 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 resort has grown to 52 rooms towards the dazzling backdrop of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Amalfi Coast.

Like many inns within the space, the Borgo is sort of hidden from the road, making it really feel like a secret. You journey down to achieve the resort, and every degree 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 a little bit dizzy, but it surely’s lovely sufficient to warrant the trace of hazard. (There are, nevertheless, elevators for those who choose 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 filled with hidden secrets and techniques ready to please and nicely worthy of its recognition on our 2022 It Checklist. It’s a particular place I like, and I can’t wait to return. Learn on for my full evaluation.

The Rooms

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

They’ve carried out a unbelievable job changing the Arab-influenced constructing right into a smooth, fashionable masterpiece. Gambardella enlisted native artisans to create bespoke furnishings for the resort 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 resort and its rooms. The main points even prolong to the scents, with huge glass vials of the resort’s signature scent permeating the halls — it is so alluring that I purchased some for my dwelling 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 via an elegant 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.

Underneath 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’ll be able to 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 recent native components. In the course of the day, there’s a informal spot close to the seaside the place you will 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.

One among 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 great, however an insider tip: I additionally advocate El Zefferino, a family-run restaurant on the opposite facet of the seaside that isn’t affiliated with the resort. You’ve by no means had higher spaghetti with clam sauce, they usually serve jugs of wine full of recent summer time peaches when in season.

Actions and Facilities

Simply since you come right here to take a seat for some time doesn’t imply you could keep nonetheless. The resort’s seaside affords 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’ll be able to sunbathe on the shiny black volcanic rocks that damage your ft however unusually 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 on your cover-up or hat.

The resort has a personal pier the place you’ll be able to experience to city to discover or get picked up by a personal boat for a day-long coast tour. The Borgo additionally has its personal fleet and might manage a visit for an added value. On-site, there’s a saltwater pool above the seaside and a health club with ample gear. All the pieces 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 through automobile to Amalfi do you have to need to store or dine within the small city. The resort’s related concierge may also help you manage all of it, however make reservations for every little thing as a result of the world books up upfront.

Household-friendly Choices

The resort 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 will be tailor-made to the household, resembling 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 very best, however she additionally particularly loved the free watersports, like kayaks — a good way to absorb the resort’s magnificence from the water.

Most of the actions are family-friendly. The resort may also help you arrange day excursions to academic locales like Pompeii and close by actions for youths, like lemon grove excursions and cooking courses. My daughter was completely happy to take a seat on the shore and store in Amalfi, the place the costs are comparatively decrease than in cities resembling Capri and Positano. (Trace: Purchase the customized sandals everywhere in the space there.) As I discussed, the world will be busy, particularly when attempting to take all of it in, so this can be a uncommon place to cease and recharge.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The resort is absolutely 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 will be tough, and this can be a good first cease, though it’s a bit longer than a drive from Naples than Positano or Sorrento. Have an espresso on the airport and have the resort manage its automobile service to take you to the resort. It is going to be lunchtime for those who’re coming from the East Coast, which implies you’ll be able to indulge within the seaside restaurant.

There may be little you’ll be able to stroll to from the resort since it’s on a windy avenue alongside the coast 10 minutes exterior Amafl within the historic seaside village, however the resort gives a complimentary shuttle into city in a Mercedes van or through a ship throughout sure hours. That is the sort of resort you verify into and loosen up, punctuated by the occasional day journey — though loads of alternatives are close by that the concierge can manage for you. A rental automobile is just not beneficial since there may be little parking, and it’s usually not beneficial in Amalfi as a result of congestion and the dearth of parking. You can even attain it by non-public boat, relying on the place you originate.

How you can 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. Inns use the chance to make enhancements, and Borgo isn’t any totally different. There are few alternatives for reductions since this can be a luxurious resort, however Orlacchio recommends reserving upfront to get the very best rooms to suit your price range.