Hotel Cala del Porto
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
Mediterranean maquis, pines, white sand beach, deep blue sea and superb golf course are all part of the landscape at Punta Ala, a natural gem of the Maremma inTuscany. The Hotel Cala del Porto enjoys a unique location with stunning views over the Tuscan archipelago, notably the island of Elba, Capraia, and just across from it, on a clear day, Corsica. A pool with views over the marina, a wellness centre, a private beach with its own restaurant, a singularly beautiful golf course and a poolside restaurant await you and guarantee total relaxation and pleasure. If you fancy an excursion, Bolgheri, the cradle of Italy’s finest wines, is just a thirty-minute drive away, as is the tiny medieval city of Massa Marittima; a two-hour drive at most will take you to Lucca, Pisa, Sienna and Florence. ...Read more
Italy, Punta Ala

Don Alfonso 1890
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in a village
On the stunning headland where the gulf of Naples meets the gulf of Salerno, Grand Chef Alfonso Iaccarino creates dishes that reflect his love for this slice of Italy dotted with lemon groves, vineyards and olive trees. Using fresh produce from his own farm, La Peracciole, Iaccarino creates deceptively simple Mediterranean marvels, such as swordfish with chickpeas and thyme, goatfish with rosemary and cucumber, and pasta with cockles and courgettes. His wife and two sons give a family touch to the ambience and the combination of exceptional produce, warm hospitality and Iaccarino’s skill make this restaurant stand out. ...Read more
Italy, S. Agata Sui Due Golfi

Gallia Palace Hotel
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
This elegant property was the first Italian hotel to join the Relais & Châteaux Association in 1973, and the Gallia-Ansaldi family has been welcoming guests here for three generations. Fall in love with the private, fine sandy beach in front of the island of Elba, where La Pagoda restaurant reigns supreme, thanks to its unique architecture and spectacular sea views. Completely relax in the Turkish baths, pool or wellness centre and gym. Golfers will enjoy the 18-hole golf course, set in a pine forest that is over hundred years old. A private yacht awaits for memorable excursions to the Tuscan archipelago. ...Read more
Italy, Punta Ala, Grosseto

Il Melograno
Hotel and restaurant in the country
Tucked away in the heel of the Italian “boot”, Il Melograno welcomes you to its delightful setting, just three kilometres from the adorable little fishing port of Monopoli. Succumb to the charm of this 17th century “masseria”, or working farm, renovated in the 1980s by the antiques collector Camillo Guerra. With white-washed walls, Persian carpets, vaulted ceilings, orchards, 1,000 year-old olive trees and an Oriental-style spa, this hotel invites you to embark on a mini tour of the world and a journey back in time. Visit the town of Bari on the Adriatic coast, Ostuni, the “white city”, and the numerous cathedrals and crypts in the surrounding area. ...Read more
Italy, Monopoli - Bari

La Meridiana
Hotel and restaurant on a golf course
Wake up in front of the golf course, explore the medieval villages of Liguria, sunbathe on its sandy beaches, enjoy a shopping spree along the paved alleys of Alassio or simply unwind beside the pool. La Meridiana is a dream place for an unforgettable stay, with gourmet cuisine and a collection of great Italian wines from nearby Piedmont in the restaurant, Il Rosmarino, and local cuisine in the Bistrot. This charming property on the Italian Riviera, between Monte Carlo and Portofino, will delight you with its warm welcome and attentive service. Dog lovers will enjoy the garden suites and the pet-friendly atmosphere. ...Read more
Italy, Garlenda

Il Pellicano
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel on the seafront
Born from a love story in the early 1960s, Il Pellicano is one of the most romantic hideaways in the world. Cocooned by the beauty of nature, it lies tucked away between the blue sea and the lush Mediterranean vegetation on the Argentario coast of Tuscany. The French poet Charles Baudelaire’s words “There all is harmony and beauty, luxury, calm and delight” will gain new meaning at this secluded resort, with its heated salt-water pool overlooking the sea, private beach, panoramic terraces, tennis court, gym and wellness centre. The décor is elegant but understated and guests can choose between fine dining at the acclaimed Il Pellicano restaurant or a more casual meal at the Pelligrill. Attention to detail and impeccable service delivered with a warm smile are the hallmark of the hotel, and will make you feel like being at home, away from home. ...Read more
Italy, Porto Ercole

La Posta Vecchia
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
La Posta Vecchia, exclusive and immaculately preserved, a peaceful and unexpected hideaway, is located just outside Rome, at the end of a long tree-lined driveway – it is set amidst luxuriant green gardens and is alive with birdsong. The view that meets you is truly breath-taking: the ochre hues of the towers and, next to them, the splendours of Castello Odescalchi. The residence, which previously belonged to J.P. Getty, is packed with works of art, unique items from his private collection, such as Carrara marble bath tubs, Renaissance furniture and Gobelins tapestries. A dinner on the restaurant terrace overlooking the sea, a dip in the heated pool, a relaxing treatment in the Health & Beauty Centre. That just about sums up your day at La Posta Vecchia. ...Read more
Italy, Ladispoli, Roma

Il San Pietro di Positano
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
This hotel is the dream child of Carlino Cinque who was passionately in love with this place and commissioned a villa on a promontory with breathtaking views. In the course of time, this dream grew, as did the hotel. Today, it comprises many rooms, each with a private terrace and a wonderful sea view. The interior details include fine terracotta floors with ceramic decoration and doors adorned with frescoes as well as other marvels. From the terrace, the view of Praiano, Positano, the coast and the rock formations of Capri are spectacular. An elevator built into the rocks leads down to a private beach and to the Carlino restaurant. The spa and tennis court between the cliffs are also not to be missed. ...Read more
Italy, Positano

Caesar Augustus
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
The hotel, perched on a cliff over the sea in a breathtaking position in Capri, offers from everywhere one of the most beautiful views in the world. Once a summer house of a Russian Prince, it is now a boutique hotel with an exquisite décor much loved by King Farouk of Egypt who was booking his suite for the year. Here you can enjoy the stunning infinity pool overlooking the Bay of Naples, the flavors of the restaurant with one of the best views on the island, the piano on the terrace at sunset and the wonderful gardens. Feel welcome to the land of Aesthetes and start discovering the blue legend of Capri! ...Read more
Italy, Anacapri

Grand Hotel San Pietro Taormina
Hotel and restaurant in a park
Taormina’s ancient Greek theatre is one of the best-preserved treasures in the Mediterranean and has unforgettable views of the sea and Mount Etna. During the summer, the theatre where the ancient Greeks sat in your place is still used for concerts under the stars. Welcome to Taormina…the Grand Hotel San Pietro Taormina is the ideal place to discover this land of historic ruins and steep cliffs and to enjoy a relaxing vacation in a setting of incredible beauty. For a tranquil dinner on a terrace overlooking the sea, why not try the restaurant Il Giardino degli Ulivi. The “Rotonda sul Mare” has just one single table, facing Isola Bella, where you can spend a truly memorable romantic evening. ...Read more
Italy, Taormina

Terme Manzi Hotel & Spa
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in a village
Located on the magical island of Ischia, in the village of Casamicciola, the Terme Manzi Hotel & Spa is an architectural gem built in the 19th century. This elegant and sophisticated palace, with its beautiful furnishings and décor, is where the mind and body become one to embrace the warm thermal waters of the Gurgitello Spring, well-known since antiquity for their regenerating, healing and therapeutic properties. They best combine with the fabulous qualities of organic volcanic clay for a revitalizing synthesis, the mud therapy. At all three restaurants, Grand Chef Nino Di Costanzo chooses from the genuine ingredients that the Ischian sea and countryside have to offer, creating dishes that bring together the great Mediterranean tradition with new Italian culinary creativity, and will take you on a journey to discover the “emotional cuisine”. ...Read more
Italy, Casamicciola Terme

Bellevue Syrene 1820
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
There is an eternal, timeless beauty to the Gulf of Naples, with its jagged coast and deep-blue sea, and the majestic Vesuvius rising in the background. In the most picturesque corner of Sorrento with terraces overlooking the stunning gulf, the Bellevue Syrene was opened in 1820, having been originally constructed in 1750 as a private residence built on the foundations of a Roman villa. The location, décor, comfort and sense of history at this hotel make it an extraordinary place. It has drawn heads of state, poets and glitterati. Fishponds full of water lilies hearken back to Roman times, while frescos painted as a tribute to famous guests adorn the walls. Though the hotel has indeed had a glorious past, it is equally grounded in the present, having undergone a recent refurbishment, balancing respect for the past with contemporary comfort. Excellent service combined with the evocative power of the surrounding landscape make a stay at the Bellevue Syrene truly unforgettable. ...Read more
Italy, Sorrento (NA)

La Peschiera
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
Feel at one with the sea at this gem of a resort on Puglia’s splendid Adriatic coast. Built in a Bourbon fishing reserve, the Peschiera stands in a rare location of extraordinary beauty, surrounded by a wonderful landscape rich in history and art. The whitewashed building sits directly on the sea, embracing it almost. Rooms are light and airy, decorated with elegant simplicity, and feature a patio facing the pools as well as a terrace right on the sea, where breakfast is served. The resort is extremely intimate with only twelve rooms, and has its own private sand beach, where even at the height of August guests can enjoy ample space and refreshing swims in clear waters. Meanwhile, the restaurant offers delicate local fare with fresh fish and seafood as the highlight, served, as one might expect, sea-side. ...Read more
Italy, Monopoli