Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast

An intriguing and glittering past has led to Caruso, a Belmond Hotel on the Amalfi Coast, becoming the heavenly hideaway it is today. Its origins date from the 11th century, when a noble family was shipwrecked off Ravello en route to Constantinople. They built a palace high on the cliffs as a symbol of their survival. Over the centuries, features such as a splendid colonnade, lookout tower and marble columns were added. In 1893, Pantaleone Caruso entered the story. The hotelier transformed the building into a relaxing retreat that attracted the likes of Virginia Woolf and, later, stars including Greta Garbo and Jackie Kennedy.

The cocoon-like privacy that lured them is a strong part of the hotel’s appeal today. Set in sublime Mediterranean gardens, it boasts unrivalled views over the coast and one of the world’s most beautiful infinity pools. The 50 majestic rooms and suites are beyond compare. Reached by marbled hallways, they captivate with stone vaulted ceilings, Italian antiques and vine-clad balconies.

At the acclaimed Ristorante Belvedere, imaginative Neapolitan cuisine combines with fabled ocean views on a sun-splashed terrace. Magnificent frescoes decorate the cocktail bar. The colonnade is now home to an open-air, panoramic champagne bar. The spa offers Mediterranean-inspired rituals, which can also be enjoyed in a sea-view gazebo.

Tours of the coast are available in the hotel’s traditional wooden boat. Ravello’s world-famous music festival is an annual draw. Enticing tailor-made excursions include lemon grove tours, sunset cruises and Vespa rides around Naples.