When traveling to the Amalfi Coast, one typically thinks of Positano and the surrounding towns. Maybe a jaunt to Capri for shopping and beach clubs and a boat day thrown in as well. What travelers don’t know is that you can get a full view of the Amalfi Coast, minus the crowds, in the charming hilltop town of Ravello. The best hotel in Ravello is hands down the Caruso. I had the pleasure of staying at Caruso, a Belmond Hotel, on the same Italian expedition in which I wrote about Belmond’s Grand Hotel Timeo. Keep reading as I detail my experience at this luxury accommodation!
Stay up to date with the latest luxury travel trends!
Table of Contents
Location
After a gorgeous winding drive along the Amalfi Coast with turquoise blue waters on my right, and verdant green hills to my left, my driver made an almost hairpin turn uphill toward the sign stating “Ravello”. 10 minutes driving up curvy roads later and I finally arrived at the Caruso. The hotel is located along a narrow cobblestone road just a scenic 5 minute walk from Ravello’s town square.
Pro Tip: Anyone with mobility issues should be aware: Ravello is hilly with cobblestone walkways and plenty of stairs.
The Caruso is just a 5-10 minute walk from the main sites in Ravello: Villa Rufolo, Villa Cimbrone, and the Duomo. From the Amalfi Coast you’re looking at about a 45 minute drive to get to the Caruso. What I love about the location is that most people traveling to the Amalfi Coast often don’t go past the town of Amalfi making Ravello relatively calmer. The location also offers the opportunity to explore some of the less traveled Amalfi Coast towns, such as, Marmorata, Minori, and Maiori easily.
Flights
Looking to price out roundtrip flights to/from Naples? Use this handy tool below to quickly see how much fares cost over your dates.
First Impression
Stepping into the lobby of the Caruso, I was welcomed warmly by the check-in team. The lobby was adorned with a beautiful mosaic floor, vaulted ceilings, vintage chandeliers, and at the very end of the lobby hall – a panoramic patio with a striking view of the coast. If the small design touches in the lobby were any indication, this was going to be a special hotel!
I had arrived early and my room was not quite ready yet. The Caruso staff, eager to make a great first impression, escorted me upstairs to the rooftop infinity pool with a drink at the ready. This was a nice move – the pool is a great way to make a lasting impression as it’s the highest point on the Amalfi Coast and has a great panoramic view. After soaking up some sunshine by the pool, I was advised that my room was ready.
Style
The design style of the Caruso is heavily influenced by the Mediterranean region, incorporating elements such as terracotta tiles, wrought iron accents, and vibrant ceramics. These touches create a sense of warmth and authenticity that reflects the hotel’s coastal setting. In my opinion, the design of the hotel is kept intentionally minimalistic while retaining Italian charm to make the azure blue Amalfi Coast views stand out more. I also love that the property is dotted with fresh lemon plants, the symbol of the Amalfi Coast.
Rooms
To preface, the original palace that Caruso became was built around the year 1100 by a wealthy merchant family from Constantinople. For this reason, there are many different room categories at this property, and each room is uniquely laid out. Like with any Belmond hotel, I highly recommend calling them in advance and making any specific room requests (two bathrooms, large patio, higher ceilings, etc.) before arriving. Or have your travel agent (like me!) take care of that for you.
Despite feeling like a large palace, there are only 50 rooms and suites at this property. You can also buy out an entirely separate villa, Villa Margherita, for larger parties. The rooms in the main building typically either have sea views or a private garden patio. You’ll also find a few Italian antiques to make you feel like you were living in the rich merchant’s original palace. I toured at least 6 different rooms at the Caruso and my biggest take away was that each room was so different. If booking this property, I highly recommend working with someone familiar with the property (like myself).
During my stay, I was upgraded to the Deluxe Sea View Junior Suite with Balcony. Stepping into my suite, I was immediately greeted by two large arched windows with views of the Amalfi Coast below me. The floors were beautiful Italian tile, the walls were tastefully decorated with artwork, and there were at least three separate seating sets from which I could work on in my suite. The bathroom was long and bright having been crafted with white Italian marble. This isn’t the type of hotel with iPads and automatic closing curtains, but instead manual switches and a top notch turn down service team.
Amenities
Travelers who stay at the Caruso want to get away from the craziness of the Amalfi Coast. The air is cooler and fresher up there, and the panoramic views of the coast inspire a sense of peace and well-being. That being said, the Caruso plays to this by offering an incredible range of amenities starting with their intimate spa. Among their amenities they also have: a rooftop infinity pool, fitness center, an all day restaurant, a pool bar for lunch, and a piano bar in the evening. While there is no kid’s club at the property, the hotel provides kids amenities in-room and offers children-focused activities every week.
The hotel also provides unique amenities like complimentary shuttles to visit the enchanting towns of Amalfi and Positano, loungers and umbrellas at a private beach in Amalfi, and a 2-hour morning boat excursion. These additional amenities place this hotel above and beyond any offerings that other luxury hotels have, and I highly recommend taking advantage of them!
In terms of amenities in the room, because I am part of the prestigious Bellini Club program, I was welcomed with a note by the General Manager in addition to fresh strawberries and a bottle of champagne. You can get this too by booking with me! The room was well stocked with toiletries, classic Belmond stationary, coffee and teas, and more.
Restaurants
At the Caruso, there are two dining establishments and a cocktail bar. The Belvedere is their all day restaurant serving a breakfast buffet with a la carte options turning into a fine-dining affair for lunch and dinner. The restaurant offers both indoor seating near the Piano Bar and a covered outdoor patio overlooking the Amalfi Coast. I enjoyed both breakfast and dinner here, with the breakfast offerings in particular being my favorite. For dinner, you can indulge in a tasting menu or order from their a la carte menu featuring elevated Italian dishes.
The Caruso Grill is the hotel’s poolside and rooftop restaurant with gorgeous al fresco dining. During my visit, they were only open for lunch but they now offer both lunch and dinner with a Mediterranean flair. I had an amazing mortadella pizza and avocado salad while soaking up the Italian sun. I would highly recommend grabbing a bite here!
Bar Caruso is the hotel’s cocktail bar and social gathering spot offering up unique cocktails with in-season ingredients. As soon as you sit down you are brought a melange of little snacks, like olives, nuts, and fritters. I highly recommend coming here for sunset as the windows face the Amalfi Coast and you won’t be able to see anything after dark. Personally, I spent every evening here with my laptop taking care of work with a cocktail in hand and I couldn’t have been happier.
Activities
While traveling in Italy, you’ll most likely head to the Amalfi Coast from Naples or even Rome. I highly recommend taking a look at Viator for group activity ideas in the area. Here are some of my favorites:
Disclaimer: the following are affiliate links which, when clicked and booked, generate a small income to maintain this blog. Thank you for your support!
Who Would I Recommend?
The Caruso is the 5th Belmond hotel I’ve been to, and I can honestly say this one is a favorite. What I love about Belmond hotels is their ability to transform a historical property into a sophisticated yet fun and quirky experience. This property is no exception! Here’s who I would send to this property:
- Solo travelers, honeymooners, and families
- Anyone who wants to take a break from the crazy Amalfi Coast towns
- Travelers who want to explore the smaller and quieter Amalfi Coast towns
- Guests who enjoy a restored historical palace with authentic character and unique rooms
- Luxury travelers who spend at least 1,000 EUR per room per night
- People who don’t mind walking to town square and the surrounding points of interest
The only thing I will say is that people who are afraid of heights and anyone with mobility issues should take extra care when booking this hotel.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Belmond’s Caruso hotel. One of my favorite things to do was sit at the Piano Bar at night enjoying a strawberry cocktail, local snacks, and listening to a live jazz band play. Having just come from more busy luxury properties on the Amalfi Coast, I found Caruso to be a welcome respite while still enjoying the Amalfi Coast views and experience. I can’t state enough how gorgeous this property is, and I wouldn’t hesitate to go back and send my clients here.
If you’d like to stay at this hotel and want free perks to elevate your stay, please reach out! In addition to luxurious welcome amenities and a note from myself and the manager in your room, you would also get the following for free:
- Room upgrade on arrival
- Complimentary breakfast
- $90 room credit ($200 for suites)
- Early check-in/Late check-out
- Free Wi-Fi
Leave a Reply