The Pearl of Amalfi - Borgo Santandrea
Around the small village of Amalfi, Italy plays wild. It stands as a wall facing the Mediterranean. A few enclosed villages, paths that swirl on steep slopes, chapels whose bells fly between sky and sea... In this tormented setting hides a pearl, the Borgo Santandrea hotel.
For centuries, due to geography, Amalfi visitors were all seafarers, sailors, soldiers, adventurers, traders , etc. On the land side, it was padlocked, the mountain steep had clemency only towards mules, goats and valiant calves. The road wound up here in the 19th century. Steep, twisting, so narrow that even today , traffic there alternates regularly. The beauty of the setting immediately ensured the tourist success of the Amalfi Coast, now included as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The happiness of staying at the hotel
A stone's throw from the village, on the precipice of the cliff, the architects submitted to the laws of the soil to secure ten levels of pure refinement, the Borgo Santandrea. Back against the rock and in front, a wide-open view of the sparkling Mediterranean.
However, the beautiful work is not enough to hang 5-stars on the pediment. The know-how had to invite emotion, combine standing, charm and inspiration. Maurizio Orlacchio, both owner and director of Borgo Santandrea, translates the equation: “ Luxury hotels can be found everywhere . Everyone thinks they have the recipe for the unforgettable. Here we add the love of our region, its history, its talents , the beat of our heart. Tano, his alter-ego, his childhood friend, his lifelong brother (the two forty-somethings are from the neighboring island of Ischia ), adds: “ Our house invents an ode to the chic and beauty of Mediterranean , we entrust him the joy of staying at the hotel .” Borgo Santandrea wants to be inspired by his country, rich in its talents and its harmonies. Yes, it's really successful.
Mermaid on private beach
At the foot of the wall, the sea lapping gently. She places her doilies of foam on the grey pebble beach. We know more spacious, but in the region, offering a rounded area large enough to plant around twenty white parasols is an incomparable pleasure. Since no outside access is possible, except for climbing or paragliding aces, Instagrammers can, without lying, post themselves as a “mermaid on their private beach” .
Piaggio, Abarth or Portofino M
Seventy-nine meters above , the end of an impeccable vertical, here is the entrance to the hotel, facing the cornice road . Good news, the traffic, as intense as it is slow, never spoils this postcard from Italy. Enjoy with your hair blowing in the wind, Piaggio, Abarth or Portofino M, highly recommended .
Between wavelets and macadam, 30 rooms and 19 suites with balconies and terraces have been placed on the mountain, as well as three restaurants including one of joyful Italian gastronomy (a Michelin macaron), a swimming pool, a Spa, a wine cellar, a dining room sports, alcoves for sweet secrets... The crazy project lasted two years and cost 150 million euros. An army of pack donkeys supported the rock cutters, concreters and other plasterers in lowering loads and machines, immediately bringing up waste and rubble.
Each look, its enchantment
This architecture bluffing deserved a decor of the same audacity. It plays blue and white, strewn with unique artisanal treasures, mosaics old with signed furniture including lighting fixtures, sculptures or paintings, antique objects such as old books illustrating Mediterranean bravery.
The rooms and suites are not unworthy. Their elegance is born from the white-blue tiles, Aqua di Parma products , XXL bedding , art photos. Let 's add the terraces, works brought to life by the bursts of sea or sun, the sailboat that sails and the cargo ship that glides across the horizon line.
Capri, front
This tempo of letting go hardly encourages us to leave the cocoon. However, the neighborhood justifies some escapes. The first : go to Capri . It takes 45 minutes by ferry from the pontoons of Amalfi to reach the island that made Godard, Sofia, Barr and even Hervé Vilard dream. The myth holds up despite the audacity of fashionistas scouring luxury boutiques. The beauty of coves and gardens remain intact, as does the pleasure of a creamy gelato or an iced spritz that goes so well with the carefree nature of the holidays .
Melted portal in Constantinople
Before or after, break in Amalfi. The village curled up at the bottom of its valley retains the charm of never-straight streets slipped beneath the balconies with chatter and the unforgettable trattorias ( olive oil, fish, cold meats, cheeses, etc.) . The price of this magic head, there is also a crowd in front of the express restaurant brands and knick - knack stalls unworthy of Italy. Fortunately, Saint-André Cathedral is holding up . Since the 11th century, it has borne the glory of a city whose sailors and merchants ruled the Mediterranean. The sixty steps to climb before crossing the gate bronze once melted in Constantinople, inflict purgatory which renounces crocs and flip-flops.
The World Heritage Coast
It remains to explore the hinterland. Behind the Borgo Santandrea, the climb becomes steep. Along the slopes, the inhabitants of this mountain retreat had the genius of terrace cultivation . Fig trees, cypresses, vines, olive trees, pines, lemon trees, orange trees, palm trees ... enchant the levels miniatures caressed by the sea breeze and the kisses of the sun. The courageous hike through the maquis overlooking the Mediterranean. The Amalfi Coast then unfolds its wonders.
The aptly named Path of the Gods draws a loop of around ten kilometers from the village of Bomerano. Allow a good three hours to fly above the bushy ridges. In a furrow of the mountain hides a herd of goats, we hear them, a forgotten farm blends into the rockery, an invisible chapel chimes the sext, the notes dance with the petrels and frigates, the sky seems so luminous... As we reach Borgo Santandrea , we will hum the walk of happy days.
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