Written By Lisa Story
Director & Founder of Orbit World Travel
Le Sirenuse Luxury,
Amalfi Coast
Many years ago I enjoyed a holiday on the Amalfi Coast
and visited an amazing hotel, Le Sirenuse in Positano. I
promised myself then that one day I would return to stay at
this iconic hotel. Recently and courtesy of Leading Hotels
of the World, that dream became a reality.
Sometimes memories can colour a dream and the reality
doesn’t live up to the expectation, but this was certainly
not the case here. Le Sirenuse is seriously one of the best
hotel experiences I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy.
And I’m not alone. John Steinbeck visited in 1953 and
wrote 'Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn't
quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly
real after you have gone.'
The hotel opened in 1951, when four Neapolitan brothers,
turned their summer house in Positano into a charming
hotel, overlooking the Bay of Positano. Terraced 70
metres above sea level, the 58-room resort is considered
one of Italy’s leading seaside luxury hotels, though it still
retains the intimate, cultured atmosphere of a private
home. It’s this intimate luxury that makes the hotel so
special. So many little areas of gorgeousness (yes, made
that word up!). From the timeless Champagne and Oyster
Bar, to Franco’s outdoor bar for cocktails and nibbles, and
the stunning pool terrace with lemon trees and flowers.
All with stunning views of the Mediterranean.
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Then there’s the Michelin-starred La Sponda restaurant
that uses fresh local ingredients and is inspired by the
great culinary traditions of Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
La Sponda is illuminated in the evening by four hundred
candles that create an unforgettable atmosphere. And the
rooms … almost all rooms, suites and junior suites look
out over the Bay of Positano. Most have a private terrace or
balcony and all have white-washed walls, vaulted ceilings
and hand-made tiles on the floors – divine!
Positano’s central location is perfect for an Amalfi Coast
experience. From here you can visit the southern towns of
Ravello and Amalfi, full of history and so quaint, you almost
have to pinch yourself to believe you are really there. Many
hours can be spent exploring these cobbled street towns
and I’m positive that nothing quite beats an afternoon in
the piazza eating pizza and sipping icy cold rosé!
To the north is the seaside town of Sorrento, with
domineering Mount Vesuvius watching over and the city
of Naples to the left. A little further along is Pompei, the
famous ruins buried in cinder in 79 AD by one of the most
disastrous volcanic eruptions in history and provides first
class evidence of the way of life in a Roman city at the time
of the Empire.
Of course, if all this sounds too much, you can hire a boat
and cruise to Capri for the afternoon, sip an Aperol Spritz
and watch the sun set over the Amalfi Coast ….. life doesn’t
get much better than this!