Borgo Santandrea, a new cliffside 5 star hotel in Amalfi 90 metres above sea level, softly opened this summer following a meticulous, ‘slow’ and respectful four-year restoration.
The hotel is a passion project that unites two Italian families, the Orlacchio and De Siano’s, who bring generations of hospitality experience to this new property.
The property, which combines Mid-Century design with classic Mediterranean style, has 29 guestrooms and 16 suites, each one offering uninterrupted views of the sea and of the ancient fisherman’s hamlet of Conca dei Marini. White and blue hues feature throughout, alongside geometric hand-painted tiles, vintage furniture, and handcrafted pieces by local Amalfitano artisans.
To reach the hotel’s private pebble beach – which is a rarity on the rocky Amalfi Coast – guests will descend the cliffside in a lift, or amble down a series of walkways and staircases amongst the fragrant terraced gardens of olive and lemon trees.
Inspired by the building’s origins in the 1960s, the owners sought to bring attention to the original Mid-Century features whilst creating a ‘home’ that was unmistakably Italian. A labour of love since 2017, the team of designers and landscapers worked hand-in-hand with architect Rino Gambardella to ensure every corner of the property was a thoughtful reflection of the artistry and craftsmanship of the Campania region. The resulting interiors and gardens are a ‘Made in Italy’ showcase: from ‘Heritage Collection’ pieces by leading Italian furniture brand Molteni&C, to custom items from family-run furniture designers, Tosconova and LISAR, and bespoke work by local architects, artists and craftsmen.
The link with the Amalfi Coast is evident also in the art collection, with a key role played by local ceramic artists Lucio Liguori and Marco Fusco and their wonderful creations.
In addition, to make the place a true Italian home, a critical role has been played by gifted craftsmen, like the wonderful railings produced by the local blacksmith Piero Esposito or the floor-to-ceiling solid walnut bookshelves produced by Milanese carpenter Paolo Erba.
Three restaurants and two bars, most of them located between the highest points of the hotel (90 metres above sea level), offer classic Mediterranean fare. Under the direction of Executive Chef Crescenzo Scotti, the three restaurants, La Libreria, Alici and Il Borgo's (by the Beach Club) menus will make use of freshly-caught fish and ingredients sourced directly from Borgo Santandrea’s gardens. La Libreria features floor-to-ceiling, solid walnut bookshelves, the handiwork of Milanese carpenter Paolo Erba, and Sicilian lava stone dining tables created by Pecchioli Firenze. Alici is the perfect place to enjoy the traditional regional dishes admiring a breathless panorama, and by the Beach not be missed the restaurant terrace Il Borgo where La Fresella di Mare is definitely the signature dish not to be missed.
Timeless, high-quality, Italian-made designs bring the spirit of Italian hospitality and the Mediterranean to life at Borgo Santandrea. Guests will find 31 different types of handmade and handpainted tiles, a two-year project done with local producer Cottovietri and inspired by the geometric classic decor of nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as modern design. White Italian marble, most of it recovered and selected from Puglia, Veneto and Tuscany regions, sheathes surfaces around the property and reflects the light from the hand-blown Venetian glass lamps produced by Venicem that are dotted throughout the hotel.
When sourcing one-off pieces for each guestroom and suite, the owners sought to restore them with vintage Italian textiles. The intricate blue and white tiles go hand-in-hand with Once Milano linens and Dedar and Rubelli textiles that reflect the far-reaching views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. All rooms and suites are swathed in natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, while the bathrooms bring the hotel’s fragrant Mediterranean gardens inside with Acqua di Parma Arancia di Capri toiletries.
In 2019, the owners commissioned photographer Enzo Rando, once a student of Mimmo Jodice, to capture Borgo Santandrea’s various historical and design influences from the Campania region. Rando travelled the 150 km radius around the hotel for two years, capturing over 500 images. 230 of his photographs, including shots of Pompeii and classic geometric designs, now hang on the hotel’s walls.
The owners worked alongside landscape designer Philip Adiutori and the gardener Gaetano Amato to create a series of garden terraces bursting with Amalfi fruits and colours. Staying true to the surrounding landscape, the gardens are filled with plants typical of the coastline; olive, lemon and pomegranate trees, winter jasmine, and Myrtus communis dating back 150 years.
