 |
Located on the famous Amalfi Drive, a few minutes from the famous town of Amalfi, the Santa Caterina enjoys a panoramic coastal setting of incomparable beauty. The hotel site is at the summit of an extensive property, which begins along the Amalfi Drive and tumbles down to the water on a series of lanscaped natural terraces.Amalfi is unsurpassed as a central location for coastal touring and excursions to Pompeii, Ferculaneum (Roman towns preserved in the volcanic ash that was thrown from Vesuvius in 79 AD), Paestum (which includes three of the best preserved Greek temples in Europe), Ravello, Naples, Sorrento, Positano, and Capri, each of which deserves at least a full day touring. The peninsula itself, rich in tradition and history, offers splendid touring possibilities, by car, public transport, foot and boat. Whithig, a concentrated area, guests will find lush natural scenery which ranges from alpine to tropical and best of all, can enjoy it any time of year. Winters are mild in Amalfi, spring comes very early, and summer ends late, with Indian summer extending well into the autumn months.The history of this special resort is as impressive as its surroundings. In 1880, Giuseppe Gambardella constructed the original structure. Crescenzo Gambardella, his son, redesigned the property in 1904, building the original six guest rooms. Two generations of Gambardellas have improved the hotel, bringing the resort to its present 66 guest rooms and suites. Today Crescenzo's daughters, Giusi and Ninni Gambardella, assisted by their children, direcly manage the day-to-day operations of the hotel and take personal interest in the comfort and enjoyment of the resort's guests.There are two restaurants. From mid-May to mid-October lunch is served on a handsome terrace overlooking the sea and pool. The regional menu includes wood-fired oven pizzas, seafood-sauced pastas, grilled local fish and buffalo mozzarella grilled in the hotel's own lemon leaves. On the upper level the main dining room is unnusually beautiful with solid marble and lapis floors, perfect lines and china, tasteful floral table bouquets and garlanding the ceiling and upper walls, a lush year-round display of flowering bougainvillaea, which brings the outdoors into the dining room. The restaurant has won acclaim both nationally and internationally.Besides providing a broad selection of a la carte dishes, there is a five-course daily lunch and dinner menu emphasizing seasonal delicacies that are specific to the Campania region. The wine list is interesting and varied including a variety of Campanian labels, including many of which are never exported beyond the region.Guests may enjoy drinks and refreshments on the adjoining sea view terrace, while those who prefer to dine in the privacy of their own terraces may order from room service until one o'clock in the morning.* Hotel closed for fire and safety updates from February 1st, 2007 to February 28th, 2007 inclusive.
|
