Discover A Dolce Vita Stay In The Amalfi This Summer

19 Apr 2018
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2 min read
Ready for an Italian escape? Here’s why the Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa makes the ultimate Amalfi getaway.

There’s a reason why Southern Italy’s Amalfi Coast retains its status as one of the world’s most romantic and alluring destinations – with dramatic stretches of coastline, hair-raising winding roads, breathtaking views and fresh Italian seafood, it’s hard to resist.

This summer, a wonderful way to discover the region is staying at one of Amalfi’s most renowned spa hotels – Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa. The hotel’s fabulous sea-view restaurant, Il Refettorio, received its first Michelin star in November 2017 and a chic new boutique will offer everything needed to experience the Italian lifestyle in suave style.

A refuge from city life
Situated between Amalfi and Positano, Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa is a spectacular former 17th century monastery, which has been lovingly restored into just twenty beautiful sea-view guest rooms and suites.

Monastero Santa Rosa is the perfect base from which to explore the nearby towns of Amalfi, Positano and Ravello – with its famed open air classical music festival held every summer from June to August. For walkers, the hills above Amalfi provide dramatic ancient terrain through blissfully quiet mountains with dramatic coastal panoramas.

The family run hotel is nestled into the side of a cliff, and the vaulted ceilings and arched windows of the nun’s rooms and refectory have been carefully preserved and are cleverly linked together to create light and airy spaces. Each room is decorated with historical photographs of the area and the monastery itself, adding to the sense of history. A true refuge from city life the hotel has a beautifully manicured, five-tiered Italian garden, spectacular heated infinity pool and award-winning spa.

One for the foodies
In November 2017, the hotel’s restaurant Il Refottorio was awarded its first Michelin star. This was the culmination of five years of passion and dedication from the team under the leadership of head chef Christoph Bob, a chef who has held leading positions in some of Europe’s top restaurants including Alain Ducasse in Paris, Torre del Saracino in Naples and Petermann’s Kunststuben in Zurich.

As Monastero Santa Rosa hovers between sea and sky, fittingly so too does Il Refottorio’s outdoor terrace where guests can enjoy al fresco dining with views over the gardens and out to sea.  The culinary treats of Santa Rosa are as unique as the monastery itself and Christoph Bob has created an innovative Mediterranean gastronomic experience for guests using the freshest ingredients from the surrounding Campania region, created with the seasons and locality in mind.

What’s more, the hotel’s terraced gardens and extensive kitchen garden provide the team with a huge variety of fresh seasonal ingredients including the Amalfi region’s famous lemons, an extensive selection of herbs, roses, fennel, strawberries and delicate zucchini, to name but a few. Chef Christoph Bob’s signature dishes include broad bean salad with bacon and smoked olive oil, scampi carpaccio with figs and lavender, king prawn ravioli with tomatoes and candied lemon and crème brulée with local herbs and an olive oil biscuit.

Beautiful surroundings
A designated UNESCO World Heritage site, the Amalfi Coast is one of Italy’s most photographic regions with its steep cliffs, lemon groves and spectacular views over the Gulf of Salerno. A former maritime republic, Amalfi has an illustrious history of naval trade, Roman princes and rivalry.

You can even arrive to the hotel by helicopter, which includes a flying jaunt over Naples, Vesuvius, Capri, Ischia and the sites of Herculaneum and Pompeii, on to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, landing just below the building.

Make it happen
Rates start from €400 per room per night on a B&B basis. Visit www.monasterosantarosa.com to make a booking.