
Belmond Hotel Caruso
Belmond Hotel Caruso, sitting proudly atop the hill top town of Ravello on the Amalfi coast, was once a large palazzo (palace) dating back to the 11th century and much of its grandeur still remains today.
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Walking into the lobby of Villa Franca is like entering an elegant living room in a private summer home. The rooms are a crisp white with high ceilings, windows, and balconies that provide a wealth of natural light. Simple splashes of blues, grays and oranges capture the Amalfi landscape. The style here is minimalist, and the beauty lies in the detail.
The roof terrace is a highlight, with a small but inviting mosaicked swimming pool, surrounded by sunloungers and the Li Galli Grill and restaurant.
There’s an annex just a minute’s walk from the main building, which has additional rooms, all decorated along similar elegant lines.
The rooms reflect the same minimalist style that is effortlessly cultivated throughout the hotel. The design uses lots of white and soft tones or patterns, with touches of sea blues and high quality fabrics. Bathrooms are light, fresh and well-equipped. Its elevated location up on the hill not only allows for wide ranging views of the bay but also means that the rooms are quiet.
Villa Franca is perched at the very top of Positano town, allowing for car access and views that drop down to the town below and out to the sea. You are further away from the middle of town here, but the 15 minute walk to the bottom is pleasant. If you prefer not to walk back, there’s a free shuttle running until midnight.
The Li Galli restaurant serves some of the best cuisine in Positano, with views to match. The chefs expertly use local produce to serve Mediterranean dishes and regional specialities. The poolside Li Galli Grill is open all day for snacks and refreshments.
In the lobby, there’s a champagne and oyster bar with seating on the balconies, ideal for an aperitivo at any time of day.
The L-shaped swimming pool on the roof of the hotel is an ideal spot to while away the hours. There’s also a spa offering a range of treatments. The shuttle bus down to the town or nearby beaches is free and runs until midnight.
This is one of our preferred boutique properties in Positano. Popular with a relatively young clientele, the Villa Franca is chic, luxurious and fun. It’s quite far from the center of town but, so long as you don’t mind steps or steep walkways, this shouldn’t dampen your experience as the views are fantastic.
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.
Belmond Hotel Caruso, sitting proudly atop the hill top town of Ravello on the Amalfi coast, was once a large palazzo (palace) dating back to the 11th century and much of its grandeur still remains today.
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The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you’re staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident’s eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area’s inhabitants.
A private guided tour of Pompeii
Enjoy a guided tour of the ancient Roman town of Pompeii, preserved by six meters of volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius back in 79 AD.
Experience a cooking class with a local family
Experience a half day cooking class at a local family home. You will learn the secret recipes of the D’Antonio family, from making homemade pasta to filleting the catch of the day.
When life gives you lemons tour
Discover the role that lemons play in traditional life on the Amalfi Coast with this half-day tour. You’ll take a guided walk through the lemon groves and tour a local limoncello distillery, as well as sitting down to a seaside lunch.