Caruso, A Belmond Hotel

The beauty of Ravello has inspired Richard Wagner, Salvador Dali and Gore Vidal, and the Hotel Caruso, an 11th-century palace above the village, is itself a work of art. A recent restoration left intact the original building’s frescoes and Moorish arches—even a Baroque chapel—and endowed the 51 rooms with a sense of timeless elegance. The floors are tiled with mosaics, the bathrooms are large and luxurious, and the light blue accents feel perfectly Mediterranean. The grounds and trellised walkways are divine, and many rooms have private gardens. Others have terraces overlooking the sea; however, note that rooms with terraces are often smaller than those without. Service is surprisingly attentive—think poolside Evian spritzes and iPods pre-loaded with your favorite music. The hotel’s best feature, however, is the infinity pool perched at Ravello’s highest point, its blue water appearing to merge seamlessly with the water below. It’s hands-down one of the most beautiful pools in all of Italy—and probably where you’ll spend the majority of your stay.

A meticulously restored cliffside palace with a mind-blowing pool.

Ideal for first-time Amalfi explorers: Ravello is a bit removed from the rest of the coast.

You want an over-the-top experience and a respite from the crowds.

After a day plying the impossibly azure waters off the coast in the hotel’s traditional wooden boat, Ercole, you head back, anxious to take a dip in the pool before the sun goes down.

Belvedere Restaurant - Fine Italian Cuisine Pool Restaurant - Buffet lunch & snacks with local specialities and pizza Poolside Bar The Cocktail and Piano Bar