Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has expanded in Europe with the restoration and reopening of a 13th-century cliffside Capuchin convent in one of Italy’s most beloved destinations. After extensive renovations, the Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel reopened this year, offering carefully restored rooms and suites that preserve original features, new dining concepts and a world-class spa, all framed by sweeping views of the Mediterranean.
© Richard Waite
Located about a 15-minute walk from the center of Amalfi and roughly a 90-minute drive from Naples International Airport, the hotel strikes a balance between easy accessibility and secluded retreat. The restoration preserves the 800-year-old building’s historic character, including ornate cloisters and an on-site Baroque church with a marble altar and Majolica floor. The exterior maintains original materials and colors, while interiors draw inspiration from the convent’s simple, artisanal life, using natural materials such as wood, leather and natural fibers combined with elegant, modern touches typical of Anantara properties.
The hotel offers 52 guestrooms and suites, many of which were originally monks’ quarters. Rooms retain original tiles, vaulted ceilings and lime-washed walls, complemented by rich textiles, sculptural furniture, local art and contemporary comforts with Mediterranean vistas. The Suite Del Priore, located in the convent’s priory, features frescoes above a four-poster bed and views of the cloisters. The Suite Dell’Eremita, the hermit’s suite, provides a private sanctuary, complete with its own aromatic lemon grove.
© Richard Waite
The award-winning Anantara Spa occupies a calm, travertine-clad space with sea views. Three treatment rooms offer tailored wellness journeys, including the property’s signature Convento Di Amalfi massage that uses citrus oils to refresh and restore. Wellness amenities include an outdoor fitness centre equipped with TechnoGym machines for workouts cooled by ocean breezes, and a newly refurbished cliffside swimming pool for relaxation and panoramic views.
Dining at Anantara Convento di Amalfi highlights regional flavors crafted by experienced Italian chefs. At restaurant Dei Cappucinni, Executive Chef Claudio Lanuto presents a convent-kitchen concept that incorporates seasonal produce from the hotel’s garden into à la carte dishes and tasting menus inspired by monastic traditions. Chef Lanuto also leads Anantara’s Spice Spoons cooking classes, teaching guests the techniques and ingredients behind authentic local recipes.
La Locanda della Canonica Pizzeria by Gino Sorbillo features eight signature pizzas created by a world-renowned pizza master to showcase the tastes of Campania. Menus highlight local ingredients such as anchovies from nearby Cetara, Provolone del Monaco and cheeses like mozzarella and ricotta sourced from Agerola.
Anantara emphasizes experiences rooted in the destination, guided by local experts. Guests can hike the Path of the Gods (Sentiero Degli Dei) along the Lattari Mountains for panoramic views of the Sorrentine Peninsula and the island of Capri. Private excursions by Mercedes to the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum reveal remarkable traces of ancient Roman life.
© Richard Waite
Culinary experiences extend to cooking classes held in a lemon grove or historic vineyard, paired with tastings and tours. Anantara’s signature private dining, Dining by Design, offers bespoke menus served by a private butler in a setting chosen by guests. Private vintage-car or tuk-tuk tours explore the iconic Amalfi Coast with stops in Positano and Ravello. For an aerial perspective, private helicopter flights reveal the coastline and towns like Sorrento, while romantic private cruises provide sunset views of Capri accompanied by prosecco and aperitivo.