Fairytale Weddings & Honeymoons at the Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi, Italy

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The Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi is regarded by lovers the world over as an enchanting place for a wedding or honeymoon, a corner of paradise offering elegance, intimacy and reserve. A home from home for film stars, sovereigns, heads of state and the international jet set, this stately private villa perched on the rocks of the splendid Amalfi Coast is recognized by the top international guides and magazines as one of the world's finest hotels.

The exceptional character of this hotel is a product of location, history and atmosphere. The Santa Caterina is gloriously situated just a ten-minute stroll away from the Piazzetta of Amalfi, nestling above the sea in the midst of a luxuriant terraced garden full of orange and lemon trees, flowers and bougainvilleas. A large vegetable garden also keeps the kitchen of the internationally renowned restaurant well supplied.

The hotel was founded in 1904 and the Gambardella family has lavished loving care on the guests and the building for four generations. The atmosphere is that of a stately private villa. The utmost care is taken of guests and constant attention is devoted to every detail. The staff is always at the ready, ever-present but invisible, eager to anticipate the guests' desires with discretion and cordiality. Room service is available 24 hours a day.

The interiors are intriguing with intimate corners and unexpected views of the sea. The doors open onto light-filled rooms and suites, each different from all the others, with antique furniture from the early twentieth century and gleaming Vietri floor tiles that capture the colors of the sea. The spacious bathrooms feature embossed ceramics that recreate bowers of wisteria and vines. The balconies and garden terraces offer breath-taking views of the coast.

The suites have enticing names: La Follia Amalfitana, Lo Chalet Giulietta e Romeo, La Casa dell'Arancio, La Vite, Il Glicine, Le Campanule, and I Limoni. La Follia Amalfitana was created for those in search of a truly unique setting. The buoyancy of the white walls and furniture sets off the emerald green floor tiles. The terrace is an ideal place to breakfast while enjoying the spectacular view over the shimmering azure sea. A special round-shaped bed stands in the middle of the bedroom. The bathroom is equipped with a whirlpool bath from which unforgettable views can be enjoyed through the large windows.

Lo Chalet Giulietta e Romeo is the ideal intimate and romantic hideaway for honeymooners. Surrounded by a fragrant citrus grove, the suite is on two levels. The upper floor is occupied by the bedroom with king-size bed and a picturesque terrace full of flowers perched high above the sea. Another view of the sea is offered by a small oval window set in an enchanting corner. The lower floor includes the sitting room, a second bathroom, a terrace, and a small garden reserved exclusively for the occupants.
A pathway lined with flowerbeds leads to two elevators cut into the rock for direct access to the private beach and large saltwater swimming pool.

The shady Ristorante Al Mare with wood-burning stove stands alongside the pool together with a fully equipped gym where guests can keep fit all through the day. The chef's specialties are served in the ethereal elegance of the main restaurant. The cuisine of the Santa Caterina is in fact so highly acclaimed as to have made numerous guest appearances at the Plaza Hotel in New York. The vast à la carte menu includes traditional dishes of rare delicacy such as tagliolini al limone, prawns in batter with cream of rocket, Amalfi-style filet mignon, roulades with eggplant filling, and a whole array of delicious desserts such as profiteroles with lemon-scented cream and Amalfi sorbet of fresh fruit. The wine list offers a fine range of international wines and a select number from the Campania region.

For more information:

Hotel Santa Caterina - S.S. Amalfitana 9 - 84011 Amalfi
Tel. 089/871012 - Fax 089/871351 - E-mail info@hotelsantacaterina.it

www.hotelsantacaterina.it

The Santa Caterina was awarded five-star status in 1985 and now belongs to The Leading Small Hotels of the World. It won the Five Star Diamond Award in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.