Caruso, un hôtel Belmond · Italie
Caruso sits more than 1,000 feet above the coast in an 11th-century palazzo, with the pool where the terrace ends. Photograph courtesy of Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Ravello
Caruso is the Amalfi Coast hotel I would choose when I want the view, the famous infinity pool and a much calmer version of the coast. The hotel sits more than 1,000 feet above the sea in Ravello, inside an 11th-century palace built by the D’Afflitto family, with just 50 rooms and suites, century-old terraced gardens and one of Italy’s most photographed pools.
Ravello is quieter and greener than Positano, and that is exactly the appeal. Le Sirenuse puts you inside Positano. Borgo Santandrea takes you down to the beach. Caruso lifts you above all of it.
The infinity pool really is that good
The pool is heated and generally in use April through November. Leave an afternoon entirely empty for it. Photograph courtesy of Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Ravello
Caruso’s heated infinity pool is absolutely part of the reason to stay here. It seems to drop directly into the Amalfi Coast below, and Belmond has expanded the experience with private cabanas and occasional programming including sunrise yoga, cinema nights and stargazing.
The pool is heated and generally in use from April through November, which is effectively the hotel’s season. I would leave at least one afternoon completely empty for it.
The catch: you are not on the beach
Caruso is in Ravello, not at sea level. If you want to walk directly from your room into the Mediterranean, I would choose Borgo Santandrea instead.
What makes Caruso much more appealing is its complimentary coastal boat excursion. The hotel runs a mini cruise most mornings in season, roughly 10:00 to 12:30, departing from Amalfi with hotel transfers down to the boat, cruising the coast as far as Positano. There is also a complimentary shuttle bus down to Amalfi and Positano.
It is one of the most useful perks at the property and exactly how I would get my sea day without giving up the quieter Ravello base. I would confirm the excursion schedule for your dates, because it runs seasonally rather than year-round.
Quelle chambre devriez-vous réserver ?
For most couples the Deluxe Sea View with balcony is the place to start, since view and outdoor space are most of what the premium buys. Photograph courtesy of Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Ravello
For most couples, I would start with a Deluxe Sea View Room with Balcony. At Caruso, the view and outdoor space are a huge part of what you are paying for, so I would prioritize those over simply choosing the largest room.
For a honeymoon or anniversary, I like the Premium Sea View Junior Suite with Terrace. Families should compare the Deluxe Sea View Terrace Suite with connecting rooms based on the actual rates and availability.
One useful tradeoff: the Superior Suite can accommodate four but looks toward Ravello rather than the sea. That may be a smart way to save, but I would want to know exactly how much before giving up the coastline.
For larger families or a group celebrating something, Villa Margherita is worth comparing with several hotel rooms. It is a private residence in the hotel gardens with two suites, butler service and a private chef, so you get real separation while retaining access to Caruso and Belmond service.
Is Caruso good for families?
Yes. Caruso welcomes children of all ages, offers babysitting and has connecting-room and suite options, which is a genuine point of difference on this coast where several of the best hotels set a minimum age.
I especially like it for families that want the Amalfi Coast without staying in the middle of Positano every day. Ravello gives everyone more room to breathe, and you can still head down to the coast when you want to.
Where to eat
Belvedere is the fine-dining restaurant, with an elegant indoor room and a terrace that runs along the cliff edge, serving Neapolitan and regional Italian cooking. Much of what arrives has come from the hotel’s own herb garden and vegetable plot, which you walk past on the way there.
The pool restaurant handles the other half of the day with buffet lunches, snacks and pizza from a brick oven, and the lounge bar has piano music in the evenings. Between the two, you can have one properly dressed dinner and several days where nobody changes out of a swimsuit before four o’clock.
Ravello itself
Century-old terraced gardens, and the reason Ravello reads greener and quieter than Positano. Photograph courtesy of Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Ravello
Ravello is the reason to choose this side of the coast, and it is a short walk rather than a drive. Villa Rufolo’s gardens are the ones that inspired Wagner, and Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity is one of the great views in Italy, about a fifteen-minute walk from the hotel.
One timing note worth knowing: the Ravello Festival runs across the summer, roughly July through September. It is wonderful if you want the music, and it fills the town if you do not. I would decide which of those you are before choosing dates.
Caruso vs. Le Sirenuse
Choose Le Sirenuse if you want Positano directly outside the hotel, more social energy and the ability to walk into town. Choose Caruso if you want Ravello, gardens, quiet and one of the best pool days on the Amalfi Coast.
For a first trip where Positano itself is the fantasy, I lean Le Sirenuse. For a honeymoon or anniversary where the hotel should feel like an escape, I would seriously consider Caruso. Caruso also takes children of all ages, while Le Sirenuse does not accept children under six, which settles the question for some families.
Read my full guide to Le Sirenuse, Positano.
Caruso vs. Borgo Santandrea
Choose Borgo Santandrea for direct beach access, a private dock and being on the water. Choose Caruso for Ravello, panoramic views and a slower, more romantic pace.
Borgo gives you the sea. Caruso gives you the view. Borgo also sets a minimum age of eight, so for a family with younger children Caruso is the more straightforward answer.
Caruso vs. Palazzo Avino
The other Ravello decision, and a closer one. Palazzo Avino is smaller and family-owned, with Michelin-starred dining at Rossellinis and, crucially, the only beach club of any Ravello hotel, down at Marmorata. Caruso is grander, with the more famous pool and the complimentary coastal cruise.
If a proper sea day matters and you still want Ravello, Palazzo Avino has the edge. If the infinity pool is the image you have been carrying around, that is Caruso.
Read my full guide to Palazzo Avino, Ravello.
Read my full guide to Borgo Santandrea, Amalfi Coast.
Who I would book Caruso for
I particularly like Caruso for honeymoons, anniversaries, couples and families who want a quieter Amalfi Coast trip.
I would choose somewhere else if a beach directly at the hotel is essential, if you want to be in Positano every night or if you plan to spend almost no time at the property. At Caruso, the pool, gardens and slower rhythm are a large part of the value.
Booking Caruso through Sebastian Luxe Travel
I am a Belmond Bellini Club advisor, so eligible Caruso bookings can include additional benefits such as daily breakfast, a hotel credit, priority for an upgrade when available, a welcome amenity and additional hotel recognition.
More importantly, I can help determine which room is actually worth the money, compare sea-view rooms with suites, work through family and connecting-room options and communicate celebrations and preferences directly with the hotel. I can also help coordinate the complimentary boat excursion, dining and spa.
There is no additional planning or booking fee for reserving Caruso through Sebastian Luxe Travel.
Planning a stay at Caruso?
Send me your dates, who is traveling and whether you care most about the view, pool, family setup or combining Ravello with Positano or Capri. I can compare the available rooms and Bellini Club benefits and tell you which one I would actually book.
Caruso FAQs
What is the best room at Caruso?
For most couples, I would start with a Deluxe Sea View Room with Balcony. For a honeymoon or anniversary, I like the Premium Sea View Junior Suite with Terrace. Families should compare larger suites with connecting rooms.
Is Caruso good for families?
Yes. Caruso welcomes children of all ages and offers babysitting, connecting rooms and larger suites. Villa Margherita is particularly useful for bigger families.
Where can a family of 5 or 6 stay at Caruso?
Connecting rooms are the usual answer, and the Superior Suite takes four if you are willing to trade the sea view for a Ravello outlook. For a larger group, Villa Margherita in the gardens is the category I would price first.
Is Caruso’s infinity pool heated?
Yes. The outdoor infinity pool is heated and is generally in use from April through November.
Does Caruso have beach access?
Caruso is more than 1,000 feet above the coast in Ravello rather than directly on a beach. The hotel does, however, offer a complimentary coastal boat excursion with hotel transfers during the operating season, plus a shuttle bus down to Amalfi and Positano.
How many rooms does Caruso have?
Caruso has 50 rooms and suites inside an 11th-century palazzo, plus Villa Margherita, a separate private residence in the gardens.
Why book Caruso through a Belmond Bellini Club advisor?
Eligible Bellini Club bookings can include daily breakfast, a hotel credit, priority for an upgrade when available, a welcome amenity and additional recognition from the hotel. I can also help choose the right room, clarify views and terraces, arrange family configurations, note celebrations and coordinate details such as the complimentary boat excursion. There is no additional booking fee when you reserve through Sebastian Luxe Travel.
Is Caruso worth it?
Yes, if you want Ravello and intend to enjoy the hotel. If your priority is being on the beach or in Positano every night, I would choose differently.
Related hotels
Le Sirenuse, Positano, to be in Positano itself
Borgo Santandrea, Amalfi Coast, for a private beach at the hotel
Villa San Michele, Florence, the other Belmond in this set
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento, for Capri and Pompeii days
Il San Pietro di Positano, for privacy just outside Positano
Palazzo Avino, Ravello, the other Ravello palace
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