Latest news with #LeadingHotels
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Hotel Santa Caterina Adds New Suites and Rooftop Dining in Amalfi
A stone's throw from Amalfi, Hotel Santa Caterina has been a fixture of Italian hospitality for more than a century. Originally built as a private residence in 1850 by Giuseppe Gambardella, a local landowner on the Amalfi Coast, the villa was transformed into a hotel with six rooms in 1904. Still family-owned and now in its fourth generation, the iconic property boasts 66 rooms and continues to honor its historic roots while building on its legacy for the future. As you drive along Italy's most iconic coastline, you can't miss the stately villa perched upon the hillside. Set on 5 acres dotted with lemon trees, Santa Caterina captures the essence of the Amalfi Coast with hand-painted tiles, elegant wooden furnishings and seaside views from its sunny terraces. Part of the Leading Hotels of the World collection, the Liberty style property is classic Italian: with a traditional revolving entrance, vintage wood-paneled reception and a hospitality team that has worked at the hotel for decades. More than staff, they're family — creating an atmosphere that feels like home rather than a hotel. Santa Caterina's rooms and suites are plush and elegant, featuring Vietri's famous majolica tiles, artisanal headboards and early 20th century furnishings. Many include private terraces or balconies with views of the sea or surrounding gardens. Chalet Giulietta & Romeo Courtesy of Hotel Santa Caterina Although the property prides itself on catering to families of all ages, two of the most beautiful suites are ideal for couples. 'Follia Amalfitana' features a unique shell-shaped bed, a hydrotherapy bathtub and a private outdoor pool, while 'Chalet Giulietta and Romeo,' an intimate cottage with vaulted ceilings and a garden terrace, offers a secluded pool with panoramic coastal views. Just a short walk away, Villa della Marchesa is a five-bedroom retreat ideal for larger groups. Complete with a lap pool, spacious kitchen with wine cellar and an expansive dining terrace where guests can enjoy private meals prepared by the chef. Villa della Marchesa Alessandra Farinelli This year, the hotel has added seven more suites in a refreshed, contemporary style to meet growing demand. Rather than expanding the footprint, the hotel has continued its longstanding practice of restoring existing structures — a necessity in a region where new development is tightly regulated. Dining at Santa Caterina is another unforgettable experience. Glicine, the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant, is set on a romantic terrace and named for the iconic wisteria draped over the property each year in April. Here you can order dishes à la carte, or a tasting menu, featuring creative spins on local recipes such as roasted squid stuffed with stuffed with zucchini, potatoes, and Provolone del Monaco cheese, or Wagyu beef with tuna, capers and anchovy sauce. Glicine Courtesy of Hotel Santa Caterina Ristorante Al Mare, located at sea level beside the pool, takes a more relaxed approach to the region's beloved comfort food. Enjoy tagliolini pasta with a creamy lemon sauce, eggplant parmesan or oven-baked pizzas alongside grilled seafood and decadent desserts — accompanied by the sound of waves lapping below and live mandolin performances. The newest addition, Senzafine, is a rooftop Mediterranean grill and raw bar that pairs elevated dishes with cocktails and sunset views. Signature plates include amberjack carpaccio with citrus and ponzu, Fassona beef tartare with hazelnuts and black truffle, and smoked eel yakitori with rosemary potatoes. Open Wednesday through Sunday, it's a stunning spot for an aperitivo as golden light bathes the coast. Ristorante Al Mare Courtesy of Hotel Santa Caterina While the sun shines, most guests spend leisurely days down at Santa Caterina's beach club. Reachable by a panoramic glass elevator or a scenic stroll down a lemon grove-lined path, the cliffside sundeck and saltwater pool are carved into the rock — making it one of the coast's most unforgettable retreats. There's also a small dock to catch a boat ride to Capri or along the coast. If you need to unwind, the hotel's spa offers treatments using ingredients grown on the property, including lemons, rosemary and olive oil. Don't miss the signature 'Amalfi Gold' massage which uses a lemon-infused oil to nourish both body and spirit. Santa Caterina also has a sauna, Turkish bath, hydrotherapy shower and fitness room with views of the sea. Whether you plan to stay at the property or explore the coast, Santa Caterina offers a prime location. Amalfi is a scenic 15-minute walk downhill, with a complimentary shuttle available around the clock. Ravello is just 20 minutes by car, while Positano is a picturesque 40-minute drive away.
New York Times
23-05-2025
- New York Times
For Your Next Italian Getaway, a Taste of la Dolce Vita
A raft of new and renovated properties are opening in Italy just in time for the lazy, sun-drenched days of summer. From Tuscany to Puglia, here are a handful of newcomers and thoughtful restorations, including a boutique hotel in a 16th-century Baroque mansion in Lecce and a collection of luxe villas in the mountains of Chianti. Pensione America Dating to the early 1920s, this one-time Tuscan villa, and then pensione (or boarding house), by the Ligurian Sea has been transformed into an adults-only beach escape. Where there were once dozens of rooms, there are now just 18 rooms and suites. All have terraces or verandas; bamboo furniture that lends a breezy, seaside feel; and products from Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, the venerable Italian fragrance and personal care brand. If you really want to spread out, consider booking the two-story casita, La Villetta, which has a garden and a plunge pool. Created by Collezione Em (whose hotels include the Grand Hotel Minerva in Florence and the Violino d'Oro in Venice), Pensione America is part of the Leading Hotels of the World collection of luxury properties. You can delight in la dolce vita amid the gardens, on a tennis court and in the pool decorated with Sicilian tiles. Go for a stroll or ride on one of the free bikes to the nearby beaches for which the area is known. Begin each morning at the hotel's restaurant and indulge in sweet crepes or eggs in tomato sauce. At lunchtime, you'll find a menu inspired by the surrounding waters, with seafood dishes such as ravioli with shellfish and spaghetti with arselle (little clams). The restaurant is also open for dinner. Prices from 1,600 euros, or about $1,800 a night. La Roqqa On the harbor of Porto Ercole on Tuscany's Argentario peninsula (about an hour-and-a-half-to-two-hour drive from Rome), La Roqqa underwent a three-year renovation and is now a 50-room-and-suite boutique hotel designed by the Milan-based Palomba Serafini Associati studio. Bold lighting and furniture from the 1960s and '70s add nostalgic touches to the common areas, while many of the minimalist guest rooms are awash in the colors of the surrounding land and sea. Suites, in contrast, sport lighter hues. All rooms have outdoor spaces with views of hills and trees, or the sea. But why just look from afar when you can get up close? Stretch out under an umbrella at Isolotto Beach Club, part of La Roqqa, on a sandy stretch of beach amid the otherwise rocky coast. Take in the Mediterranean air by hiking, cycling or horseback-riding. Treat yourself to a massage or a facial, or spend some time in the sauna. The hotel, part of Miramis Hospitality, has its own yacht that can take you to nearby islands, such as Giglio and Giannutri, and can arrange experiences like wine tasting and cooking lessons. If you'd rather someone else did the cooking, order seafood by the water at Isolotto Beach Club, or head over to the hotel's Scirocco restaurant for family-style Tuscan dishes (and wines, of course) including homemade pastas and dumplings like gnudi with sheep ricotta and nettle, cacio e pepe sauce and fermented lime. Watch day turn to night at the Scirocco Rooftop Bar, where you can sip a cocktail — the hotel has several that it says were inspired by Caravaggio paintings — as you gaze out over the Corsini Botanical Garden and the harbor. Prices from €380 a night. Palazzo Zimara The historical center of Lecce, in the Apulia region, is rife with Baroque buildings, including this boutique hotel in a limestone mansion that dates to 1557. After a four-year renovation, the property is now an 18-room-and-suite getaway that mixes contemporary design with vaulted ceilings and graceful arches. The rooms are elegant and spare, with 18th-century wooden doors, and each nods to the building's past, with different touches, including stone walls, brick-and-lime floors, and walls adorned with frescoes. For a special occasion, book the more-than-1,000-square-foot Suite Zimara, with a balcony, two bathrooms and your own hammam, Jacuzzi and fireplace. Palazzo Zimara is in the heart of the city, so you can go out for a meal or dine al fresco at the hotel's La Bocca restaurant. In the mornings, sip caffè leccese, iced coffee sweetened with almond syrup, and sample pastries and local cheeses. Later, try Italian dishes that change with the seasons, like a misticanza salad with peach, walnut and cocoa; and croaker fish, puttanesca style. Unwind with a glass of wine while people-watching from the terrace at Radino Wine Bistro. The hotel, part of the D'Angelo Family Collection, a family-run hospitality group, has plans to also open a rooftop bar next year. Prices from €240 a night. The Social Hub Rome Part of a vast, new complex in the capital that includes co-working and event spaces as well as a soon-to-open public park, the contemporary Social Hub Rome hotel is near the Termini train station in the San Lorenzo neighborhood, which makes it a potential jumping off point for trips outside the city. On the site of a former railway customs house, in an area buzzing with students, the hotel offers 396 affordable rooms for both short and extended stays. The Social Hub, which is based in Amsterdam, operates 21 hotels in Europe and, as its name suggests, aims to bring locals and tourists together in hubs that may include hotels, gyms and other spaces. At the Rome location, guests can attend free community events like yoga and craft workshops (details are on the site's Instagram page). The rooms, all with desks, have a no-fuss youthful vibe. Stop into the all-day restaurant and bar on the ground floor for dishes like rabbit porchetta or fettuccine with smoked butter and Parmigiano Reggiano, along with a glass of organic wine. Or grab a slice at Berberè Pizzeria Roma San Lorenzo, which is part of the complex. In early June there will also be a rooftop pool and bar where you can order shareable plates. A 24-hour gym is scheduled to open then as well. Prices from €90 a night. (If you're visiting for more than 14 days, you can book an extended stay in a studio or an apartment with a kitchenette and weekly cleaning.) A&K Private Estates: The Chianti Collection This summer, the luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent is rolling out five estates for families and groups seeking plush villas in Chianti, the Tuscan region beloved for its mountains and wine. The properties, available May 31, include renovated farmhouses and wine estates with romantic views of hills, olive groves and vineyards. Your trip begins at the airport, where a private car will pick you up. Rates include a case of Tuscan wine and a hamper of food — think homemade bread, local olives and cheese — as well as breakfast, housekeeping and experiences, which include welcome and farewell dinners, a wine-tasting on the estate (or in the winery on your property), a cooking class with — who else? — an Italian chef and a photography session, as well as private return airport transfers. Ranging from five to 10 bedrooms, the estates have amenities such as pools, outdoor kitchens, gyms, wine cellars and a concierge who can book restaurants and private chefs, and arrange car rentals and spa appointments. Prices start at $55,000 a week for up to 10 people at Villa Pianvecchio, a five-bedroom farmhouse on a wine estate. (If you were splitting that among 10 people it would be about $786 per person a night.) The other Chianti estates are Villa Castiglioni, with six bedrooms from $65,000 a week; Villa Il Santo, with eight bedrooms from $70,000; Villa Tavernaccia, with eight bedrooms from $90,000; and Il Cellese, with 10 bedrooms from $90,000. The new estates are currently available for 20 percent off those prices. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair-traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2025.
Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Telegraph
Why this stylish Greek hotel is the perfect family getaway
Combining sweeping sandy beaches, lively water parks and several millennia's worth of ancient history – including the Palace of Knossos, the home of the mythical minotaur – Crete is probably the most popular of the Greek islands when it comes to fun family holidays. With its crescent-shaped beaches, quaint harbour bobbing with colourful fishing boats, and fairy-lit tavernas dotted along the waterfront, the tiny town of Elounda on the northeastern coast feels like a real Crete secret. Book a holiday package to Elounda Bay Palace with British Airways Holidays, and you'll fly directly into Crete's Heraklion Airport. It's an easy 40-minute transfer to the resort, so the kids can be splashing happily in the Aegean Sea while you kick back with a cold drink within an hour or two of landing. Set in 20 acres of lush landscaped gardens, Elounda Bay Palace Hotel's big USP is its waterfront setting and the spectacular views across Mirabello Bay. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, this sprawling resort is ideal for families who are looking for both adventure and relaxation, but with some luxury thrown in too. Naturally, it runs the full gamut of five-star facilities, ranging from saltwater infinity pools overlooking the bay to attentive service, family-friendly meals and fine dining, kids' clubs and nightly entertainment galore. Its two Blue Flag sandy beaches both have plenty of complimentary sunloungers and parasols as well as a beach butler service. And when parents crave some downtime on their holidays, Elounda's babysitting services and kids' clubs for ages four to 12 years will keep the nippers and older children happily entertained. If you have activity-hungry teenagers who want something more lively, beach volleyball competitions, water sports and tailored sports programmes will keep them occupied. In addition to the resort's numerous facilities, the friendly concierge team can also arrange excursions such as catamaran cruises, fishing trips or private boat tours over to Spinalonga. Alternatively, those looking to do some sightseeing will want to visit the Palace of Knossos, Crete's biggest archaeological attraction. Built around 2000 BC, when it was the capital of Minoan Crete, this fascinating Bronze Age site, with its labyrinthine ruins, is packed with minotaur myths and legends which kids will love to explore. Much of the accommodation at Elounda Bay Palace has been designed with families in mind, without compromising on style. From the spacious interconnecting rooms, airy waterfront suites, garden bungalows and luxury villas with private pools, Elounda Bay Palace caters well for a wide variety of groups – ideal if you want to bring the grandparents along. The room styles vary from contemporary to charming and classically Grecian. Of course, dining is a big part of any family holiday, and while the authentic tavernas and beachfront bars of Elounda are temptingly close, all hotel guests stay on a half-board basis with a buffet breakfast and dinner in the hotel's main restaurant, though you can exchange the latter for à la carte dining credits, which offer freedom and flexibility. The main restaurant is Aretoussa, which offers buffet-style cuisine and themed dinners throughout the week, while Ariadne is the hotel's charming Greek taverna and Thalassa restaurant showcases Crete's incredible seafood, set right on the water's edge. Meanwhile when it comes to relaxing with a cocktail and light bites by the beach, look no further than F Restaurant. Guests also have the option to dine next door at the sister property, Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas, home to Dionysos, its modern Mediterranean fine dining restaurant, and Blue Lagoon, which serves a variety of Japanese and Peruvian fusion dishes. It's a leisurely 15-minute stroll along the scenic coastal path into the village – perfect for an ice cream served with views or an evening walk after dinner. Alternatively, the resort's beachfront Erato Lounge and Veghera Jetty Bar feature nightly live music and entertainment until the early hours. Well, you are on holiday after all. British Airways Holidays packages include a generous checked baggage allowance for each customer and come with full Atol protection for complete peace of mind. Secure your holiday to Elounda Bay Palace with a low deposit and enjoy flexible payments until you fly*. *Based on two sharing. Full balance due four weeks before departure for short-haul holiday bookings. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.
Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Telegraph
Enjoy a luxurious getaway in Crete at Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas
With shimmering Pantone-blue waters, tumbles of whitewashed cottages and rainbow-hued fishing boats clinking sails in the harbour, Elounda on Crete's northeastern coast is like a postcard sprung to life. A hundred miles south of the mainland in the southern Aegean Sea, Crete is the largest and the best known of Greece's many islands. With a rugged mountainous interior, sweeps of white-pebble beaches and millennia-old ruins around every corner – not to mention soaked in 300 days of sunshine a year – it's easy to see why Crete is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. Book a holiday package with British Airways Holidays and fly directly into Heraklion. After an easy 40-minute transfer to Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas, you could be nibbling Cretan olives and sipping ouzo overlooking the bay by sunset. With its swaying palms, blushing bougainvillaea and curved stone paths winding through the 40 acres of landscaped gardens, the Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas – a member of the Leading Hotels of the World – evokes the feeling of a lush private estate. One of the first five-star hotels to open in Crete, it's bookended by a pair of Blue Flag sandy beaches and designed to offer privacy and a space to truly unwind. Start the day with sunrise yoga or a water aerobics class in the saltwater pool or maybe hit the running trail through the vast landscaped gardens. Alternatively, you can enjoy a long and leisurely breakfast on the terrace – you are on holiday after all. For the more active, days can be spent jet skiing or windsurfing, playing tennis or badminton. There's also a kids' club with a host of activities, games and even swimming lessons that are sure to keep little ones happy and content. If you're struggling to shake off stress, a few treatments in The Penthouse Spa should do the trick. A true sanctuary, it offers guests a range of holistic rejuvenation options – from therapeutic massages to a full detox programme. In true Elounda style, all of the rooms and suites are elegant and plush, from the deluxe sea view rooms and suites to spacious family villas with private pools. Crete is the inspiration for the décor – think whitewashed walls, natural stone and local artwork adorning the walls. Several suites open out onto the water, while others feature large private terraces or private swimming pools – perfect for that al fresco soak under the stars. However, it's the attention to detail that really elevates Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas to luxury status – from the pillow menus and complimentary beach bag in all the rooms to the attentive beach butlers who will happily serve a cocktail to your sun lounger. There's little chance of going hungry on a holiday in Greece, so famous as a country of feeders. From rich lamb kleftiko fragrant with fresh oregano, to the ruby-red tomatoes that taste of summer, peppery olive oil and thick yogurt drizzled with wild honey, most produce is grown locally or in the hotel's kitchen garden, and much of it is showcased in the hotel's five à la carte restaurants. Dionysos offers modern Mediterranean fine dining served under century-old olive trees. Blue Lagoon brings authentic Japanese and Peruvian dishes to Crete, while Argonaut offers incredible Italian food overlooking the sparkling lights decorating Mirabello Bay. And for those nights when you don't fancy leaving your luxury villa, you can choose the private dining service and enjoy a quiet supper on the terrace. If you want to explore the island further, the concierge team can arrange a tour to visit famed archaeological site the Palace of Knossos, or Lassithi Plateau, known as the birthplace of Zeus. Or if you'd prefer to hit the water, unique experiences include a sunset cruise around the bay to a private boat trip over to Spinalonga. Of course if you just want to kick back and bask in the splendour of Elounda's beautiful bayside setting, few could blame you. British Airways Holidays packages include a generous checked baggage allowance for each customer and come with full Atol protection for complete peace of mind. Secure your holiday to Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas with a low deposit and enjoy flexible payments until you fly*. *Based on two sharing. Full balance due four weeks before departure for short-haul holiday bookings. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.
