PALAZZO BELMONTE
Regal beachside palazzo made for the suite life
CAN YOU HAVE TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING? Not here, you can’t. Take the location of 17th century Palazzo Belmonte: an unspoilt stretch of Campanian coastline nudging the fishing village of Santa Maria di Castellabate. What’s more, this is the heart of the Cilento National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site whose surrounding waters have won accolades for their environmental excellence.
Once a hunting lodge for the kings of Italy and Spain, Palazzo Belmonte still has a regal appeal. Sturdy walls enclose five acres of landscaping. Guests can stay inside the palazzo itself, at Edoardo’s House or at Villa Belmonte in the grounds. Bougainvillea tumbles down brickwork; gardens rustle with orange and lemon trees, while the air is scented with jasmine and rose.
A freshwater pool terrace floats in a profusion of greenery, while a secret door leads to Palazzo Belmonte's private beach and stretch of peachy sand. Dine at the Belvedere restaurant at dusk when it’s glowing with torches, and candlelight, with the waves almost lapping at your feet. Med-inspired cuisine fits the bill nicely.
Hit the Spot
Amid gardens on an unspoilt stretch of the Cilento coast.
Bedtime
Distinctively decorated suites have vaulted ceilings and private terraces.
Be Savvy
Young families love it here too.
Be Smitten
Coast-hugging palazzo that delivers the works.
Amalfi coastline
From the torchlit restaurant, diners gaze across the water to the Isle of Capri. After breakfast, the options are almost limitless: sail along the dramatic Amalfi coast; dig around the area's big archeological sites; take boat trips to unspoilt Punta Licosa or Capri; scuba dive or ride.
Prince Belmonte, whose lineage can be traced back nearly 1,000 years, still lives here in his family home. Today's guests can enjoy these princely surrounds in suite tranquility.
Palazzo Belmonte was reviewed by Room for Romance
Once a hunting lodge for the kings of Italy and Spain, Palazzo Belmonte still has a regal appeal. Sturdy walls enclose five acres of landscaping. Guests can stay inside the palazzo itself, at Edoardo’s House or at Villa Belmonte in the grounds. Bougainvillea tumbles down brickwork; gardens rustle with orange and lemon trees, while the air is scented with jasmine and rose.
A freshwater pool terrace floats in a profusion of greenery, while a secret door leads to Palazzo Belmonte's private beach and stretch of peachy sand. Dine at the Belvedere restaurant at dusk when it’s glowing with torches, and candlelight, with the waves almost lapping at your feet. Med-inspired cuisine fits the bill nicely.
Hit the Spot
Amid gardens on an unspoilt stretch of the Cilento coast.
Bedtime
Distinctively decorated suites have vaulted ceilings and private terraces.
Be Savvy
Young families love it here too.
Be Smitten
Coast-hugging palazzo that delivers the works.
Amalfi coastline
From the torchlit restaurant, diners gaze across the water to the Isle of Capri. After breakfast, the options are almost limitless: sail along the dramatic Amalfi coast; dig around the area's big archeological sites; take boat trips to unspoilt Punta Licosa or Capri; scuba dive or ride.
Prince Belmonte, whose lineage can be traced back nearly 1,000 years, still lives here in his family home. Today's guests can enjoy these princely surrounds in suite tranquility.
Palazzo Belmonte was reviewed by Room for Romance
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
Dining in
Dining in means dining out here – on a grassy terrace literally right over the waves. From here you can catch sight of the twinkling lights of Capri and the Costiera Amalfitana on a clear night, while tucking into chef Natale Contino's delicious Mediterranean cooking. Be sure to try signature dishes such as tagliolini al profumo di limone del Parco di Palazzo Belmonte con sfilacci di pesce San Pietro – delicious fish served with pasta scented with the estate's own lemons.
Dining out
Good local places to try include the fish restaurant Taverna del Pescatore, and Mazzeno – both comfortably walkable.
Where?
Belvedere at Palazzo Belmonte
What's cooking?
Try specialities such as scottata di tonno rosso con coulis di pomodorini Vesuviani – local tuna with tomatoes.
Dress the part
Think outdoor Mediterranean nights
Top table?
A front-of-stalls table over the sea
See & Do
You can windsurf, scuba dive, snorkel and waterski here in clear Mediterranean waters. Take a picnic lunch and hop on a boat trip to Punta Licosa, an unspoilt 6km stretch of coastline perfect for swimming and snorkelling, see the famous blue grotto at Palinuro or grab a mountain bike to pedal along the pine wooded shoreline. For a cultural fix, visit the ancient Doric temples of Paestum or the royal palace at Caserta – built in the 18th century to rival Versailles.
Shop
Be sure to check out the gorgeous footwear at Amodio shoes.
Spa
Beauty treatments and massages can be booked on request.
After dark
Take an atmospheric sunset tour of the ruins at Paestum. Or simply dine on the Belvedere's terrace, stroll through the village and have a late-night limoncello.
Dates
July
The Paestum Summer festival signals weeks of music, theatre and ballet.
Dining in means dining out here – on a grassy terrace literally right over the waves. From here you can catch sight of the twinkling lights of Capri and the Costiera Amalfitana on a clear night, while tucking into chef Natale Contino's delicious Mediterranean cooking. Be sure to try signature dishes such as tagliolini al profumo di limone del Parco di Palazzo Belmonte con sfilacci di pesce San Pietro – delicious fish served with pasta scented with the estate's own lemons.
Dining out
Good local places to try include the fish restaurant Taverna del Pescatore, and Mazzeno – both comfortably walkable.
Where?
Belvedere at Palazzo Belmonte
What's cooking?
Try specialities such as scottata di tonno rosso con coulis di pomodorini Vesuviani – local tuna with tomatoes.
Dress the part
Think outdoor Mediterranean nights
Top table?
A front-of-stalls table over the sea
See & Do
You can windsurf, scuba dive, snorkel and waterski here in clear Mediterranean waters. Take a picnic lunch and hop on a boat trip to Punta Licosa, an unspoilt 6km stretch of coastline perfect for swimming and snorkelling, see the famous blue grotto at Palinuro or grab a mountain bike to pedal along the pine wooded shoreline. For a cultural fix, visit the ancient Doric temples of Paestum or the royal palace at Caserta – built in the 18th century to rival Versailles.
Shop
Be sure to check out the gorgeous footwear at Amodio shoes.
Spa
Beauty treatments and massages can be booked on request.
After dark
Take an atmospheric sunset tour of the ruins at Paestum. Or simply dine on the Belvedere's terrace, stroll through the village and have a late-night limoncello.
Dates
July
The Paestum Summer festival signals weeks of music, theatre and ballet.
GETTING THERE
Location
84072, Santa Maria di Castellabate, Salerno
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Agropoli station – 20km
Taxis
EUR 35 from the station, or around EUR 170 from Naples Airport
Airport
Naples – 130km
Rooms and suites
50 rooms and six suites
Special features
Splash out on a sea-facing fuite, complete with wide wrought iron bed and private terrace.
Also…
You can tie the knot in Palazzo Belmonte's very own private chapel, and start your honeymoon an hour later!
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 180 - 660
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Buffet breakfast is served until 10.30am
Room service
Yes – morning and evening
Children
Welcome
Pets
No
Air conditioning
Yes
Languages
Italian, English, German and French
Wedding license?
Yes – at the Palazzo's own wedding chapel. Receptions for up to 250 are held here.
Open/closed
Closed November – May
Coming soon
New luxury suites and an indoor restaurant are planned for 2008
Your contact
Angela Wilkinson – general manager
Location
84072, Santa Maria di Castellabate, Salerno
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
Agropoli station – 20km
Taxis
EUR 35 from the station, or around EUR 170 from Naples Airport
Airport
Naples – 130km
Rooms and suites
50 rooms and six suites
Special features
Splash out on a sea-facing fuite, complete with wide wrought iron bed and private terrace.
Also…
You can tie the knot in Palazzo Belmonte's very own private chapel, and start your honeymoon an hour later!
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 180 - 660
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Buffet breakfast is served until 10.30am
Room service
Yes – morning and evening
Children
Welcome
Pets
No
Air conditioning
Yes
Languages
Italian, English, German and French
Wedding license?
Yes – at the Palazzo's own wedding chapel. Receptions for up to 250 are held here.
Open/closed
Closed November – May
Coming soon
New luxury suites and an indoor restaurant are planned for 2008
Your contact
Angela Wilkinson – general manager
