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

Each occasions I stayed on the Borgo Santandrea in Conca dei Marini, I couldn’t cease wanting up on the lodge from the seashore. Each occasions, I should have had my mouth open with surprise as a result of a seashore attendant requested me, twice, if every thing was OK. That sums up the magic of Borgo Santandrea in a paragraph.

Once you stand on the shore of the Italian lodge’s non-public seashore membership and search for, you may see that the lodge 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 informed me, they set nativity scenes into the caves alongside the road in the course of the holidays.

In the course of the summer season, it’s bordered by vibrant purple bougainvillea, which covers virtually every thing on the Borgo. Each stroll is replete with flowers contrasted by olive and lemon bushes, the latter hanging heavy with brilliant yellow fruit. Little issues like this make it unimaginable 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 just a few 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 liked my first go to, however the second journey satisfied me that Borgo Santandrea will not be a one-trick pony — a rarity in Amalfi, the place honeymoon accommodations dot the shoreline.

The lodge’s proprietor and common supervisor, Maurizio Orlacchio, enlisted architect Rino Gambardella to remodel the property from the Nineteen Sixties into trendy Mediterranean magnificence — 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 accommodations 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 lodge, and every stage reveals a number of rooms, eating places, bars, swimming swimming pools, and the seashore membership. My daughter and I liked strolling down the meandering stairs of the constructing. They’re so plentiful that you just get a bit dizzy, nevertheless it’s lovely 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 please and nicely 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 evaluate.

The Rooms

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

They’ve executed a implausible job changing the Arab-influenced constructing right into a glossy, 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 huge glass vials of the lodge’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 bathtub 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 usually 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 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 substances. In the course of the day, there’s a informal spot close to the seashore 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 in all my daughter’s favourite promoting factors was selfmade lemonade in chilled glass pitchers served all around 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 suggest 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, and so they 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 affords 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 ft however surprisingly really feel good to lie on when warmed by the solar. One of many cutest issues in regards to the seashore is the throwback cabanas adorned with the everyday striped sample. Chairs on the seashore are comfy (by Italian seashore 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 lodge has a personal pier the place you may journey 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 set up a visit for an added value. On-site, there’s a saltwater pool above the seashore and a gymnasium with enough 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 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 every thing 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 lots of the actions could 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 stated our boat day was the most effective, however she additionally particularly loved the free watersports, like kayaks — a good way to absorb the lodge’s magnificence from the water.

Most of the actions are family-friendly. The lodge can assist you arrange day excursions to instructional locales like Pompeii and close by actions for teenagers, like lemon grove excursions and cooking courses. My daughter was comfortable 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 all around the space there.) As I discussed, the world could be busy, particularly when making an attempt to take all of it in, so it is a uncommon place to cease and recharge.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The lodge 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 could be difficult, and it is 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 is going to be lunchtime for those who’re coming from the East Coast, which implies you may indulge within the seaside restaurant.

There may be little you may stroll to from the lodge since it’s on a windy avenue alongside the coast 10 minutes exterior Amafl within the historic seaside village, however the lodge supplies a complimentary shuttle into city in a Mercedes van or through a ship throughout sure hours. That is the type 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 will not be advisable since there’s little parking, and it’s typically not advisable in Amalfi on account of congestion and the shortage of parking. You too can attain it by non-public boat, relying on the place you originate.

Find out how 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. Resorts use the chance to make enhancements, and Borgo isn’t any totally different. There are few alternatives for reductions since it is a luxurious lodge, however Orlacchio recommends reserving upfront to get the most effective rooms to suit your finances.