aruso, a Belmond Hotel, is a 5-star hotel located in the hilltop town of Ravello on the Amalfi Coast. Originally built as an 11th-century palace, it is now part of the distinguished Belmond collection. Perched high above the sea, the hotel offers breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline. It has been carefully restored over the years, preserving its original architecture while incorporating modern comforts.
Hotel Caruso has earned numerous prestigious accolades, including a Forbes Five-Star rating, multiple Condé Nast Traveler awards, and nominations from the World Travel Awards and Travel+Leisure, recognising it as one of the top luxury hotels both in Italy and also globally.
We arrived at the hotel by private transfer in a Mercedes E-Class. This was arranged in advance with the hotel’s concierge. The journey from Naples Airport to Ravello took approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The chauffeur was both professional and welcoming, and even offered us the choice of what type of music we would like to hear! The car was equipped with WiFi, bottled water, and refreshing hand towels, which made for a very pleasant and comfortable journey. Throughout the drive, the chauffeur was informative, pointing out various landmarks along the way.
On arrival, we were warmly welcomed and offered a glass of fresh lemonade. Check-in was completed outdoors, where we took in the stunning views as we settled in. We were then given an extensive tour of the hotel and its beautiful grounds. We learned that the hotel’s logo was inspired by a decorative detail from the ceiling artwork in the drawing room.
As we had arrived early and our room was not yet ready, we took the opportunity to enjoy an early lunch at the poolside restaurant. The margarita pizza is a must-try! Service was attentive and the staff were very friendly.
Hotel Caruso has 50 rooms and suites, each room individually decorated in a classic Neapolitan style. Many of the accommodations feature original ceiling murals and antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Our room was a Deluxe Sea View with a private terrace overlooking the coastline. Just inside the door, a marble staircase led up to our attic room. There was a dining table set for two, a king-sized bed dressed in soft, high-quality linens, and a spacious terrace furnished with two sun loungers and a small table with chairs.
Welcome amenities included a bowl of fresh strawberries, a chilled bottle of champagne, and a handwritten note from the General Manager. Small personal touches like this were evident throughout our stay.
The in-room minibar included complimentary soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, iced tea, Red Bull, and fruit juices. Additionally, our room was equipped with a Nespresso machine and capsules, an electric kettle, and colourful Richard Ginori teacups. A beach bag and umbrellas were provided for our use. The room included both USB and UK plug sockets.
A pillow menu is also available, offering options such as memory foam, hypoallergenic, neck support, and silk pillowcases.
Our bathroom featured a walk-in shower and Acqua di Parma amenities, along with extras like suncream, after-sun lotion and mouthwash. Frette bathrobes and slippers featured the hotel’s logo embroidered.
An iron and ironing board were available on request, and an in-room safe was discreetly hidden behind a framed picture! Our room had air conditioning and reliable WiFi throughout.
The turndown service was excellent. Lemon sweets were, thoughtfully, placed beside the bed, and slippers were set on a memory foam mat. The room was tidied, fresh towels were provided, and bottled water was replenished, ensuring everything was perfectly prepared for a restful night.
There are several dining options available, including Ristorante Belvedere, Caruso Grill and Bar Caruso.
Breakfast is served from 7.30AM to 10.30AM on the Caruso Terrace. The setting is elegant, with Ginori plates and cups. The buffet includes a wide variety of breads, pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurts, cereals, cheeses and cold cuts.
Hot options, made to order, included eggs any style, omelettes, porridge, waffles, crêpes, and smoked fish. The breakfast was delicious and beautifully presented. Service was efficient, with staff attentive to small details, including remembering coffee preferences from the previous day.
Ristorante Belvedere is the hotel’s fine dining venue, offering guests stunning views of the Amalfi coastline while they dine. The menu blends traditional Campania flavours with a modern twist, as Chef Armando Aristarco highlights simple, local ingredients with elegant presentation.
The restaurant is open for dinner daily from 7.30PM to 10.30PM. Smart casual attire is required; shorts are not permitted.
One evening, we had dinner at Caruso Grill, the hotel’s more casual restaurant. Our meal began with a complimentary amuse-bouche of meringue topped with eggplant parmigiana. Warm bread was served, and the atmosphere was lively yet relaxed, with soft background music and excellent service throughout. The sommelier provided great wine recommendations, and the staff were both friendly and efficient. The cuisine was exceptional!
Caruso Grill is open for lunch from 12.30PM to 4PM, the bar from 9AM to 6PM, and the dinner service runs from 7.30PM to 10.30PM.
Bar Caruso offers an extensive selection of cocktails, wines, champagnes, and local prosecco. Open daily from 4PM to midnight, with live music starting at 7PM.
The hotel’s outdoor heated infinity pool, set at 28°C, is located at the highest point above Ravello and offers stunning coastline views. Service by the pool was attentive. Evian facial spray and cold water were brought to us on arrival.
Later in the afternoon, we were offered complimentary homemade coffee ice cream and pan brioche with whipped cream from the chef. Sunbeds were well spaced and very comfortable, and the overall atmosphere remained calm and unhurried.
Hotel Caruso offers a courtesy shuttle to Amalfi, with a journey time of approximately 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic. There are three daily shuttle services departing the hotel at 9.45AM, 12PM and 4PM, with return pickups from Amalfi at 10.20AM, 12.45PM and 4.30PM.
The hotel also offers a complimentary boat experience along the coast, from Amalfi to Positano and back. A luxury hotel minibus shuttles you from the hotel to Amalfi, departing at 9.45AM. The boat ride takes about an hour each way, with the option to hop off in Positano to explore or stay onboard for the return trip. During the cruise, guests are served complimentary prosecco, beer, water, and soft drinks while enjoying views of the coastline and passing landmarks such as Sophia Loren’s house. The return boat departs Positano at 3PM. A fantastic experience – highly recommend!
The hotel’s 24-hour open-air gym features cardio and weight machines, personal trainer access, and virtual coaching via the MyWellness App. The gym includes towels, bottled water, fruit, protein bars, and a Nespresso machine. A Technogym training kit is available on request.
The hotel also features a small spa with two individual treatment rooms and a couple’s room. Guests can indulge in rejuvenating facials, massages, and body rituals using botanical-rich products from the sustainable brand Comfort Zone. Alfresco massages are also available. The spa is open daily from 10AM to 8PM.
We enjoyed wandering around the beautiful century-old gardens filled with roses and fragrant herbs. The gardens are serene and exceptionally well maintained.
The Belmond app and the WhatsApp concierge made it easy to arrange bookings and requests throughout our stay. Our room also had access to PressReader, offering digital newspapers and magazines.
For younger guests, rooms can be equipped with cots, highchairs, bathrobes, and other child-friendly amenities. Children’s menus are offered in the restaurants. A babysitting service is also available on request.
Dogs weighing under 10 kg are welcome, however they are not permitted in the restaurants or the pool area.
Activities such as pasta-making classes, painting lessons, pizza-making, and limoncello workshops are available for an additional cost.
The hotel lobby features a boutique offering elegant evening wear, accessories, jewellery, beachwear, and bespoke gifts.
Hotel Caruso is well located in Ravello, a hilltop town on the Amalfi Coast known for its stunning views and historic villas. Ravello features beautiful gardens, cultural festivals, and a peaceful atmosphere away from the busy coast. Its narrow streets are lined with shops, cafes, and art galleries.
A handwritten note and small parting gift were left in our room on the final evening – a thoughtful touch that perfectly reflected the care we experienced throughout our stay.
Overall, our experience at Caruso, a Belmond Hotel, was exceptional. The service was consistently warm and professional, the facilities were immaculate, and the attention to detail – from the welcome amenities to the turn-down touches – was truly impressive. It’s a place that balances luxury with genuine hospitality, and one we would gladly return to.
For more information, visit https://www.belmond.com/hotels/europe/italy/amalfi-coast/belmond-hotel-caruso/.
