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.
Villa Franca
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.
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Rooms
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.
Location
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.
Food and drink
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.
Facilities and activities
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.
Our opinion
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.
Amalfi Coast tour ideas
Nearby accommodation
Nearby places
Alternative places to stay nearby
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.
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![Belmond Hotel Caruso, Ravello]()
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![Buca di Bacco, Positano]()
Buca di Bacco
Located right on the beach, Hotel Buca di Bacco is conveniently central. It has a friendly atmosphere and a delicious restaurant alongside wonderful sea views that have been the inspiration for many famous authors since 1916, when it first opened.
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![Casa Angelina, Praiano]()
Casa Angelina
Casa Angelina is a serene, boutique property. Minimalist in style and exceptionally chic, every inch within its signature white walls and multi-level terraces is a work of art in itself.
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![Covo Dei Saraceni, Positano]()
Covo Dei Saraceni
The Covo dei Saraceni dates back to the 19th century and balances elegance, an unrivaled seafront location, and first rate service. It is the result of one family’s dedication to maintaining the beauty of their town and home.
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![Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi, Amalfi]()
Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi
Once a large convent built into the rock just above Amalfi town, this 13th-century structure still has an intact cloister and church which, along with its spectacular infinity pool, are its most impressive features.
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![Hotel Luna Convento, Amalfi]()
Hotel Luna Convento
Dating back to the 12th century, the Hotel Luna Convento’s most beautiful feature is the sunlit cloister around which the hotel is built. Although simple, the property is steeped in history and charm, with an idyllic swimming pool overlooking the sea.
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![Lounge, Il San Pietro di Positano]()
Il San Pietro Positano
A landmark hotel on the Amalfi coast and just a short drive from Positano, Il San Pietro has everything from a private beach to tennis courts and a Michelin star restaurant, not to mention excellent service and impressive views.
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![Le Sirenuse, Positano]()
Le Sirenuse
This ancient palazzo (palace) is known throughout Positano for its heritage and elegance. Once a grand private villa, Le Sirenuse was transformed into a first rate hotel in 1951 and has been the town’s premier historic hotel ever since.
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![Monasterio Santa Rosa, Conca dei Marini]()
Monastero Santa Rosa
Once a 17th-century monastery, perched high up on the Amalfi coast, the Monastero Santa Rosa has been expertly renovated to five star standards without losing any of its original features. It’s an exceptional property with sea views, a spa, and an infinity pool.
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![Palazzo Murat, Positano]()
Palazzo Murat
Ancient Palazzo Murat, in central Positano, radiates a classic Mediterranean romanticism. Steeped in history, it tastefully flaunts its original antique doors, artwork, heavy stone balconies, and its peaceful swimming pool with sea views.
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![Punta Regina, Positano]()
Punta Regina
The Punta Regina is a charming hotel with an authentic family atmosphere. Located near the top of the hill, but still within the heart of Positano, it has the height for those spectacular sea views and a convenient location for exploring.
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![Villa Cimbrone, Ravello]()
Villa Cimbrone
Villa Cimbrone is a 12th-century masterpiece, once owned by Lord Beckett who painstakingly restored it and its famous gardens to their current magnificence. It has since played host to an array of historic icons, most notably Virginia Wolf, Winston Churchill and Greta Garbo.
Experiences while staying here
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.
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A private guided tour of Pompeii ![Pompeii street]()
A private guided tour of Pompeii
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.
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Experience a cooking class with a local family ![Filleting fish at Casa Laura's cooking class]()
Experience a cooking class with a local family
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.
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When life gives you lemons tour ![Lemon grove, Amalfi Coast]()
When life gives you lemons tour
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.
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