Relais Blu Belvedere
near Sorrento, Southern Italy
A seriously stylish, ravishingly romantic hotel perched on the tip of the Amalfi Coast
Set in lush cliff-top gardens of mature olive, agave and scented
pine, this cool white hotel combines sugar-cube modernism and
dazzling Mediterranean colour with panoramic sea views and a
near-perfect location. Secluded without being isolated, it sits at
the very tip of the Sorrentine peninsula, a short drive from
Sorrento itself, looking out over the blue Bay of Naples and the
craggy isle of Capri. Naples, Amalfi and Pompeii are all within
day-tripping distance.
But why go anywhere? Popular with honeymooners, loved-up couples
and escapists, this place is built for indulgence and you
won’t want to leave in a hurry - we certainly didn't. The 11
white-blue rooms are fresh and contemporary, opening onto
private terraces where you can enjoy the views from
café-style tables or white cubist sofas, shaded by pale aqua
umbrellas. There’s a small but beautifully positioned pool on
a terrace above the hotel and a
gourmet
restaurant serving fabulous food. In other words, all the
ingredients for an unforgettable stay.
Reviewed by Liz Simpson
Last updated 09 November 2011
Highs
- The views are awesome, and the entire hotel is designed to make the most of them. The main terrace has a jaw-dropping panoramic; we spent hours just looking out to sea
- Refreshingly sleek and stylish decor for this part of the world
- Spacious bedrooms, some with terraces; you even get your own email-ready PC
- Delicious, fresh food. We spent 10 days in Italy and the food here was the best we ate
- Owner-managers Antonino and his sister Bianca are very hands-on, and the rest of the staff incredibly helpful and friendly
- A network of lanes and coastal footpaths winds through olive groves to crowd-free coves and crags
Lows
- With the nearest shop 3km away and little public transport, you'll need a car - but the roads can get extremely congested during the summer
- Fully lit, the dining room is quite bright and at times you feel on show. We felt candlelight would work better
- Being so popular with couples, it could feel a bit cheesy for single travellers and groups of friends
- Music is piped through the communal areas at all times - a bit intrusive if you don't like the tunes
