Built into a sea-facing cliff, the
Hotel Santa Caterina, in the town of Amalfi, is housed in a 19th-century villa, surrounded by lemon and orange trees. The striking blues of the sea below are captivating and visible from every corner of the property, including the rooms' patios and the striking infinity pool of one of the Catarina's top suites.
Positano's
Le Sirenuse was a private home until the 1950s, and while it features all the luxuries and amenities one would expect from a five-star hotel, it continues to hold the special quality of a family's summer escape. Rooms are outfitted with hand-painted floor tiles and elegant antique furniture. The pinnacle of romance is a meal at La Sponda restaurant, illuminated by hundreds of votives that are suspended from wrought-iron chandeliers shaped like branches.
The 19th-century rooms of Sorrento's
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria live up to the hotel's name: grand. Trump l'oeils, stenciled walls and marble bathrooms all allow guests to feel as though they are staying in a majestic palace from a bygone era. Available spa treatments include the "Honeymoon Ritual", consisting of a couple's massage, jasmine-scented Jacuzzi and time in a private garden.
High above Amalfi, Sorrento and Positano sits the quiet town of Ravello, and its gem, the
Hotel Caruso, seems to be floating above the coast. The setting is as romantic as it is authentic: guests can marvel at medieval frescoes that were discovered during the hotel renovations and view the restored Baroque chapel also on the premises. Lounging at the stunning infinity pool, newlyweds will truly feel away from it all.
The Art Deco style of the
Capri Palace Hotel & Spa exudes grandeur. Black-and-white marble hallways lead into spacious guest rooms, all featuring original art decoration (the owner is a passionate art collector). Honeymooners can take romantic marine excursions around Capri in the hotel's private launches, stopping by its cool beach club Il Riccio, in a choice location near the Blue Grotto, another island must-see.
Ischia, Capri's lesser-known sister island draws honeymooners looking for an escape from the crowds and for wellness (the island is renowned for its hot springs). Located on a hillside on the dramatic northern tip, the
Mezzatorre Resort & Spa conjures visions of fairytales. Centered around a turreted watchtower that dates from the 16th century, the resort is particularly enchanting at night when lights illuminate the gardens, and diners sit on an al fresco terrace with uninterrupted views of San Montano Bay and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Closer to the town of Ischia (the island is named after its largest community),
Punta Molino Beach Resort & Spa radiates an effortless chic to be expected from a classic - but renovated - 1960s hotel. The light-filled, large rooms boast an understated decor while exteriors could not be more sumptuous thanks to the location's natural splendor. Situated directly on the water, the resort is an ideal spot from which to explore this beautiful island, in addition to being just a short ferry ride from Naples (a plus for foodies in search of authentic Neapolitan cuisine).