The 7 Most Luxurious Suites on the Amalfi Coast

John Steinbeck famously wrote, “Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone,” but he could have been talking about the entire Amalfi Coast. Soon after Steinbeck first visited, in the mid-20th century, it quickly became a favorite destination of Jackie Kennedy, Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, and countless others. The area’s natural beauty is overshadowed only by its luxurious hotels, which boast Michelin-starred restaurants, infinity pools with panoramic views, and rooms decorated with antiques. Book a suite at one of these luxurious properties, or better yet, rent a car (Hertz Europe has a fleet of Fiat 500s at the ready) and visit them all.

Hotel Santa Caterina

Centrally located in Amalfi, this breezy whitewashed hotel was built in 1904 as a simple guest house and is still run by the Gambardella family. Entering the lobby feels a bit like entering a cozy grandmother’s house filled with 19th-century antiques, hand-painted ceramic tiles, and potted plants. Guests can enjoy fresh pasta and seafood on the terrace with sweeping views of the sea and the town of Amalfi, but the real selling point is the pool at sea level, accessible by an elevator with glass windows designed for maximum views. The suite to request is the Romeo & Juliet chalet, which is separated from the main building and has its own private pool and terrace perfect for romantic meals. This member of Leading Hotels of the World has had its fair share of famous guests, including Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton and Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. lhw.com; from $1,266

Palazzo Avino

This pink palazzo dating back to the 12th century is perched high on the hilltop town of Ravello, where Richard Wagner famously stayed and set up the recurring Ravello Festival. Now owned and run by the Avino family, the intimate property—a new member of Leading Hotels of the World—has three levels of terraced gardens, a swimming pool, Michelin-starred restaurant Rossellini’s, and a private beach club located 15 minutes away. There are just 33 rooms and 10 suites, many with incredible views of the sea and surrounding villages. The suite to request is the 860-square-foot Belvedere Suite awash in white with antiques, an Oriental rug, a Jacuzzi, and a 430-square-foot private terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. lhw.com; from $1,992 per night

Monastero Santa Rosa

Opened in 2012, Monastero Santa Rosa is one of the newest and most intimate luxury hotels on the coast. Housed in a restored 17th-century monastery poised on a cliff in the village of Conca dei Marini, the property has just 20 rooms and suites, terraced gardens, an infinity pool, a spa, and Il Refettorio restaurant, which just gained a Michelin star. Antiques sourced around Italy and archival photos of Jackie O—who used to stop by for lunch—grace the halls. The room to book is the 808-square-foot Citrus Suite, which features a living room, bedroom, bathroom, and private terrace decked out in navy blues and sandy beige. monasterosantarosa.com; from $2,459 per night

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

Entering this grand dame perched on a cliff above the port of Sorrento feels a bit like entering a Wes Anderson film. The breezy white lobby is filled with antiques and potted plants, piano music wafts through the air in the evenings, and well-dressed guests sip Aperol Spritzes on the terrace at sunset and savor breakfast in the shadow of elaborate ceiling frescoes in the morning. The hotel has six one-of-a-kind suites, but the one to request is the Caruso Suite, dedicated to famed tenor Enrico Caruso, who stayed at the hotel in 1921. The spacious suite is decorated in a classic style, with an antique clock perched atop the mantel, a chandelier suspended from the high ceilings, Louis XVI chairs upholstered in silk, and Caruso’s piano with black-and-white photos of him. lhw.com; from $2,678 per night

Albergo della Regina Isabella

Movie producer and publisher Angelo Rizzoli opened this grand dame on the island of Ischia in 1956, and it hasn’t changed much since. Guests still come for the sea views and the thermal spa—one of the largest in the region—where the island’s mineral-rich thermal waters and mud are used for treatments. Today’s guests can take an aperitivo in the bar, enjoy meals at the Michelin-starred Indaco restaurant, and soak in the pools. Rooms and suites are tastefully simple, with hand-painted tiles, antiques, and terraces. The largest and most luxurious is the Elizabeth Taylor Suite, named for the famed actress who stayed there. The 969-square-foot suite has a large living room, a bedroom, and two bathrooms decorated with antiques, chandeliers, and modern art. reginaisabella.com; $3,232

Le Sirenuse

There are few properties in the world that have earned the status of icon, but Le Sirenuse in Positano is one of them. The Sersale family’s seaside retreat has hosted everyone from John Steinbeck—who arguably made Positano famous in the 1950s—to movie stars like Reese Witherspoon. The cherry-red property—also a member of Leading Hotels of the World—is smack-dab in the center of town, overlooking the colorful tiled Duomo and within easy reach of the beach. Guests can savor an alfresco aperitivo at the Champagne Bar, a romantic dinner at Michelin-starred La Sponda, massages at the spa, and a dip in the pool. All the rooms exude breezy coastal style, but make sure to request one with a sea view. The spacious Junior Suite Superior can be combined with a Deluxe Sea View room to create a two-bedroom pied-à-terre with hand-painted tiles, a private terrace overlooking the sea, a living room, and a bathroom with a whirlpool tub. lhw.com; from $3,320 per night

Belmond Hotel Caruso

Down the street from Palazzo Avino in Ravello, this palatial hotel was built in the 11th century, though it has undergone many updates over time, including a restoration of the beautiful Pompeii-inspired frescoes that had been covered up. Now the property combines historic architecture with deluxe amenities, including the Belvedere Restaurant, Cocktail & Piano Bar, manicured gardens, and a jaw-dropping infinity pool perched 1,000 feet above sea level. Needless to say, the hotel is a top choice for celebrities like Jennifer Aniston. Request the Exclusive Suite with terraced gardens, marble bathroom, bedroom, living room, and dining area done up in warm earth tones with mosaics inspired by Pompeii. belmond.com; from $6,455 per night

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