BORGO SANTANDREA
ITALY‘s On a rocky inlet along timeless Amalfi Coast, a hideaway has been carved into the cliff, seeming to hang between sea and sky and redefining old-school glamour
Charming fishing towns framed by mountains, candy-coloured homes precariously clinging to cliffsides and a glimmering emerald shore – the Amalfi Coast never ceases to amaze. A rocky inlet neighbouring the town of Amalfi hugs the historic hamlet of Conca dei Marini, home to Borgo Santandrea – a hotel seemingly suspended between sea and sky.
It’s a striking hideaway, with 29 rooms and 16 suites carved directly into the face of the cliff. Opened just last summer, mid-century features meet the trappings of a typical Italian home, all whitewashed and punctuated with Mediterranean blues. Hand-painted geometric tiles, bespoke wooden furniture, touches of Puglian marble, hand-blown Venetian glass lamps and interesting family heirlooms emphasise the region’s artisanal heritage, and the Tyrrhenian Sea is ever-present. Take your morning espresso on the balcony of the Deluxe Sea View room, indulge in a long soak in the freestanding bathtub of the Corner suite – accompanied by all-encompassing views from softly arched, floor-toceiling windows – or immerse yourself in la dolce vita by the infinity pool of the Premium Pool suite, your private terrace outlined by the raw cliff.
Then throw on your biggest sun hat and follow the aromas of lemon trees, jasmine and pomegranate blossoms to find yourself in the terraced gardens; meander further through a series of staircases, beneath stone arches and sun-soaked patios and you’ll come upon the hotel’s private beach – a real luxury on this stretch of Italian coast, with a lift, views uncompromised, at your disposal. Keep the negronis flowing or whizz off by boat to explore the nearby islands of Capri and Ischia or follow the shoreline and make a stop by Amalfi’s cathedral and the markets of Positano. Back in Conca dei Marini, the glittering Emerald Grotto beckons a refreshing dip before heading to one of the hotel’s restaurants for an authentic taste of southern Italy.
Hailing from double and tripleMichelin-starred kitchens, executive chef Crescenzo Scotti takes local fare to new heights. Beautifully presented, refined dishes fashioned from top-class ingredients take the fore at elegant La Libreria, whose name is reflected in wooden bookshelves and a curated literary collection. Menu highlights include bonito seared with endive and dried tomatoes, grilled octopus with citrus and green apple, and spaghetti with black garlic and frutti di mare. Alfresco feasting is at its best at pretty patio restaurant Alici or rooftop bar La Terrazza, perched 90 metres above sea level. It’s something out of a fairy tale. JM. Doubles from £770. 00 39 089 831148, borgosantandrea.it