Belmond Hotel Caruso

When we were planning a 10th anniversary trip to Italy we were on the fence about a trip to Ravello and a stay at Caruso (no offense to either place; we just didn't know what we wanted to plan) -- and we are so, so pleased we ended up both going to Ravello and staying at Caruso. The staff could not have been friendlier and more helpful. When we arrived, I realized I had left our passports in our Rome hotel safe. The staff put all concerns at ease quickly, contacting our Rome hotel and then making sure our passport info was routed to future hotels during our Italy stay. They took care of this like it was the easiest thing in the world. I mention this to make the point that their hospitality skills went beyond just making the hotel a fun and enjoyable place to stay, which it most certainly was. Looking back, quiet and serene is (maybe) the best description of the hotel and the property. By the time we got to the hotel, we were looking to unwind and relax, and this was the perfect fit for that. The pool area is top flight and the grounds were beautiful -- we loved just having a drink and sitting in one of the many areas overlooking the sea and the cliffs. The breakfast was No 1 -- wish we could go back, thinking of it now. Also, the Belvedere was phenomenal. It doesn't get some of the same press as the restaurant next door, and I'm not sure why -- we absolutely loved our dinner there. Finally, one mention of the hotel manager Iolanda: what a nice person, and she made our stay feel extra special. BB/MB

I don't even know where to begin with this review because our time at the hotel was so magical. While some may not like the more traditional decor in the rooms, we found it very charming and appropriate for the location. We ordinarily prefer more modern hotel design, but we thought that most parts of the hotel had a perfect balance of modern-leaning elements and traditional furnishings. Of note, the room was significantly larger than we had thought, was very comfortable and only showed minor signs of wear here and there--none of which bothered us. The hotel grounds were substantially larger than we realized. The online photographs really do not do the hotel any justice because there were plenty of diverse garden, lounging and bar areas throughout the property. It also seemed like many of those spaces (like the pool dining venue) were recently updated with a fresh look. The staff at the pool area were superb, were always attentive and thoughtful. They made it so that we never wanted to leave the pool area. While the Caruso Grill was nice, it has a very limited menu so we couldn't eat there more than one night. Of note, several of the menu items were a tad pricey. The food at the pool restaurant, on the other hand, was excellent and the pricing was surprisingly reasonable. The concierge at the hotel was also very helpful. When we were arranging to be picked up at the airport and to schedule a tour of Pompeii on a separate day, the concierge helpfully suggested that we stop in Pompeii on the way to the hotel (and offered to book a tour guide who would meet us in Pompeii). This freed up an entire day for us, which was so appreciated since we only booked three nights at the hotel. The complimentary shuttle to Amalfi and boat ride to/from Positano were excellent. For those who are debating between this hotel and its neighbor, Palazzo Avino, my father was staying at Palazzo Avino and gave us a tour of his room and the hotel grounds. In our opinion (and even his opinion), the Caruso was several steps above Palazzo Avino and was worth the extra cost. Because we had originally debated about which hotel to book, we were very grateful to have chosen the Caruso because it's a superior property in every way. It's worth mentioning that prior to our stay, we had just come from the St. Regis in Venice and the Mandarin Oriental in Lake Como, and our stay at the Caruso was perhaps even more magical than those stays. Those other two properties are also wonderful, but there's something very special about the Caruso and Ravello, and we can't wait to return in the near future.

I and my family have had the blessing of enjoying many 5 Star Properties over the years. Caruso has moved to the top of my long list. OUTSTANDING people, property, service!!!

We stayed for three nights at the start of the season. Despite the cold weather the team ensured we had a fabulous stay. Too many good staff to name check them all but Antonietta and Nicole on the front desk , were both excellent. Luis elevated a simple room service meal to fine dining fun. Breakfasts great.

Heavenly views, wonderful breakfast, characterful, eccentric old property with beautiful terraced grounds in unrivalled location, staff outdid themselves to ensure memorable stay. Best for couples and sedate retreats rather than active young families.