CAPRI PALACE HOTEL & SPA
The last word in Isle of Capri chic
LIFE DOESN'T GET MUCH RITZIER than at the Capri Palace. This temple of conspicuous wealth boasts superlative views of the Bay of Naples, utterly fabulous interiors and reams of A-list celebrity guests (Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts and Mariah Carey if you love to name-drop).
Follow the serpentine path lined with billowing muslin up from Anacapri’s square and enter another planet. Everything is done out in cool, expensive ivory with sprawling sofas, huge burnished gold mirrors, towering candelabra and audacious modern artworks. A phalanx of designer-suited staff are on hand, and are clearly used to cossetting divas as well as dreamers.
Vaulted ceilings and colonnades perfectly set off the Capri Palace's bold mix of modern design and Louis XVI antiques, while decadent marble bathrooms are equally statement-making. Our junior suite, brilliantly toned in shades of cream and cappuccino, had a Berber style tented bed and vast terrace. The outdoor pool is heated (naturally) and the beauty farm is just the place to indulge – if your plastic can take the pace.
Hit the Spot
Just off the main square in lofty Anacapri.
Bedtime
The rooftop Megaron suite, with its own private pool, is swoon-worthy.
Be Savvy
It's a place to blow the budget big-time.
Be Smitten
La dolce vita doesn't get more chic than this.
Swish private yacht
Vanilla candles, petals and lemon trees make L’Olivo at the Capri Palace – the holder of Capri’s only Michelin star – a dreamy setting for dinner. Dig into dishes such as red shrimp with burrato cheese and caviar on asparagus and apple salad. People-watch in the bar, or step aboard one of the hotel’s private yachts to watch the island's glittering lights.
The Capri Palace Hotel was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mairiona Cotter
Follow the serpentine path lined with billowing muslin up from Anacapri’s square and enter another planet. Everything is done out in cool, expensive ivory with sprawling sofas, huge burnished gold mirrors, towering candelabra and audacious modern artworks. A phalanx of designer-suited staff are on hand, and are clearly used to cossetting divas as well as dreamers.
Vaulted ceilings and colonnades perfectly set off the Capri Palace's bold mix of modern design and Louis XVI antiques, while decadent marble bathrooms are equally statement-making. Our junior suite, brilliantly toned in shades of cream and cappuccino, had a Berber style tented bed and vast terrace. The outdoor pool is heated (naturally) and the beauty farm is just the place to indulge – if your plastic can take the pace.
Hit the Spot
Just off the main square in lofty Anacapri.
Bedtime
The rooftop Megaron suite, with its own private pool, is swoon-worthy.
Be Savvy
It's a place to blow the budget big-time.
Be Smitten
La dolce vita doesn't get more chic than this.
Swish private yacht
Vanilla candles, petals and lemon trees make L’Olivo at the Capri Palace – the holder of Capri’s only Michelin star – a dreamy setting for dinner. Dig into dishes such as red shrimp with burrato cheese and caviar on asparagus and apple salad. People-watch in the bar, or step aboard one of the hotel’s private yachts to watch the island's glittering lights.
The Capri Palace Hotel was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mairiona Cotter
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Dining in
You're spoilt for choice here. Dine poolside at Mosaico, (indoors by the mosaic-muralled walls if you prefer), or opt for Michelin starred L'Olivio, where the people watching can be as consuming as the cooking served up by talented young chef Oliver Glowig. Dressed in super-elegant creamy shades and handmade cashmere fabrics, this beautifully lamplit restaurant is lined with rare monochrome pictures of Capri in the 1950s, and shots of the stars who have stayed here. Bite into imaginatively prepared fresh fish and game dishes such as pigeon, cockerel and foie gras in a black olive and dried fruit crust with celery puree.
Dining out
For a change, try Paolino or Villa Verde in Capri, or La Rondinella and Il Cucciolo in the higher village of Anacapri. Have a simple seafood lunch at Lido del Faro, perched on the sea edge amid jagged rocks above the sea.
Where?
Michelin starred L'Olivio at the Capri Palace
What's cooking?
The nine-course gourmet menu features dishes such as raw shrimps with burrata cheese and caviar over an asparagus and green apple salad
Dress the part
It can be achingly chic here
Top table?
Wherever you can see and be seen
See & Do
Do visit Villa Jovis at the top of Mount Tiberio – the remains of a sumptuous residence built by the Roman emperor Tiberius. Take the chairlift from Anacapri up Monte Solare for fabulous mountain top views and follow the Sentiero del Fortini trail that links the lighthouse of Punta Carena with the Grotta Azzurra. Hop on a boat ride to Capri's famous Blue Grotto – it really is an intensely blue as they say – or go one better and hire one of the Capri Palace's private yachts for the day. Avoid the daytripper crowds around the main harbour.
Shop
You won't want for anything here – chic boutiques heave with wall-to-wall designer labels. You're sure to see something you fancy in stores such as Mariorita, Acquamarina and L'arte del sandalo (sandal emporium).
Spa
The hotel's Capri Beauty Farm is the place for preening and pampering. The setting is lush, the treatment menu extensive and the Leg School is guaranteed to hone your pins to perfection. Choose from a huge range of thalassotherapy, toning and mud wrap treatments.
After dark
Behind the nondescript door, Taverna Anema e Core is one of the Med's top night spots.
Dates
May
The Rolex Capri Sailing Week is now a firm fixture on the Mediterranean racing calendar
You're spoilt for choice here. Dine poolside at Mosaico, (indoors by the mosaic-muralled walls if you prefer), or opt for Michelin starred L'Olivio, where the people watching can be as consuming as the cooking served up by talented young chef Oliver Glowig. Dressed in super-elegant creamy shades and handmade cashmere fabrics, this beautifully lamplit restaurant is lined with rare monochrome pictures of Capri in the 1950s, and shots of the stars who have stayed here. Bite into imaginatively prepared fresh fish and game dishes such as pigeon, cockerel and foie gras in a black olive and dried fruit crust with celery puree.
Dining out
For a change, try Paolino or Villa Verde in Capri, or La Rondinella and Il Cucciolo in the higher village of Anacapri. Have a simple seafood lunch at Lido del Faro, perched on the sea edge amid jagged rocks above the sea.
Where?
Michelin starred L'Olivio at the Capri Palace
What's cooking?
The nine-course gourmet menu features dishes such as raw shrimps with burrata cheese and caviar over an asparagus and green apple salad
Dress the part
It can be achingly chic here
Top table?
Wherever you can see and be seen
See & Do
Do visit Villa Jovis at the top of Mount Tiberio – the remains of a sumptuous residence built by the Roman emperor Tiberius. Take the chairlift from Anacapri up Monte Solare for fabulous mountain top views and follow the Sentiero del Fortini trail that links the lighthouse of Punta Carena with the Grotta Azzurra. Hop on a boat ride to Capri's famous Blue Grotto – it really is an intensely blue as they say – or go one better and hire one of the Capri Palace's private yachts for the day. Avoid the daytripper crowds around the main harbour.
Shop
You won't want for anything here – chic boutiques heave with wall-to-wall designer labels. You're sure to see something you fancy in stores such as Mariorita, Acquamarina and L'arte del sandalo (sandal emporium).
Spa
The hotel's Capri Beauty Farm is the place for preening and pampering. The setting is lush, the treatment menu extensive and the Leg School is guaranteed to hone your pins to perfection. Choose from a huge range of thalassotherapy, toning and mud wrap treatments.
After dark
Behind the nondescript door, Taverna Anema e Core is one of the Med's top night spots.
Dates
May
The Rolex Capri Sailing Week is now a firm fixture on the Mediterranean racing calendar
GETTING THERE
Location
Via Capodimonte, 80071 Anacapri
Parking
Avoid bringing a car to the island – hire a jeep for the day or hop on the hotel shuttle if you need wheels.
Trains
Naples – 40 km
Taxis
EUR 20 from Naples Airport to the harbour – then catch the hydrofoil to Capri. Let the hotel know your ETA and you'll be met on the quayside at Capri with a chauffeured transfer.
Airport
Naples – 40 km. Private transfers can be arranged.
Rooms and suites
79 rooms and 11 suites
Special features
Chic and exotic bedrooms feature marble and travertine bathrooms, plasma TV and sound system. Some have DVD players, wi-fi and iPod docks.
Also…
The Megaron suite has a private pool and rooftop garden. Other ritzy suites include Magritte, Monroe and Acropolis.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 320 - 3,500
Open/closed
Closed November – mid March
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
12 noon
Minimum night stay?
Generally two nights
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10.30am
Room service
Available 24 hours
Children
Only over 10's can stay between June - August
Pets
No
Air conditioning
Yes
Languages
English, Italian, French, German, Spanish
Wedding license?
Yes. Receptions for up to 160 can be arranged.
Your contact
Rosa Mazzarella – general manager
Location
Via Capodimonte, 80071 Anacapri
Parking
Avoid bringing a car to the island – hire a jeep for the day or hop on the hotel shuttle if you need wheels.
Trains
Naples – 40 km
Taxis
EUR 20 from Naples Airport to the harbour – then catch the hydrofoil to Capri. Let the hotel know your ETA and you'll be met on the quayside at Capri with a chauffeured transfer.
Airport
Naples – 40 km. Private transfers can be arranged.
Rooms and suites
79 rooms and 11 suites
Special features
Chic and exotic bedrooms feature marble and travertine bathrooms, plasma TV and sound system. Some have DVD players, wi-fi and iPod docks.
Also…
The Megaron suite has a private pool and rooftop garden. Other ritzy suites include Magritte, Monroe and Acropolis.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 320 - 3,500
Open/closed
Closed November – mid March
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
12 noon
Minimum night stay?
Generally two nights
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10.30am
Room service
Available 24 hours
Children
Only over 10's can stay between June - August
Pets
No
Air conditioning
Yes
Languages
English, Italian, French, German, Spanish
Wedding license?
Yes. Receptions for up to 160 can be arranged.
Your contact
Rosa Mazzarella – general manager
