Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas continues its expansion in Europe, breathing new life into a 13^th-century cliffside Capuchin convent in one of Italy’s most popular getaway destinations. Following extensive renovations, the Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel officially reopened its doors this year, welcoming guests with elegantly renovated rooms and suites featuring original elements, exciting dining concepts and a world-class spa, all with panoramic views of the Mediterranean.

© Richard Waite

Just a 15-minute walk from the center of Amalfi and an approximately 90-minute drive from Naples International Airport, the hotel strikes the perfect balance between accessible escape and secluded monastic retreat. The restoration of the 800-year-old building carefully preserves historical features, including ornate cloisters and an on-site Baroque church complete with a marble altar and Majolica floor. A thoughtful preservation of the facade to maintain the original materials and colors is prominent. The interior design takes its cues from the convent and simple, artisanal lives of its original inhabitants with materials sourced from nature: wood, leather, natural fibers and precious metals, blended with the luxurious details for which Anantara is known.

The property’s 52 guestrooms and suites, many first built as monks’ quarters, feature original tiles, vaulted ceilings and lime-washed walls blended seamlessly with rich textiles, sculptural furniture, local art, high-tech comforts and Mediterranean views. The Suite Del Priore, named for its setting in the convent’s priory, offers frescoes above the four-poster bed and views of the cloisters, while the Suite Dell’Eremita, the hermit’s suite, offers a sanctuary of privacy and aromatic romance in its own lemon grove.

© Richard Waite

The award-winning Anantara Spa resides in a unique new setting in a travertine-clad serene space overlooking the sea. In three treatment rooms therapists offer healing journeys, including the property’s signature Convento Di Amalfi massage with citrus oils to refresh and rejuvenate. Further wellness activities await at the outdoor fitness centre, with top-of-the-line TechnoGym equipment for ocean-breeze-cooled workouts, and at the newly refurbished cliffside swimming pool.

Dining at the Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel celebrates the region with offerings carefully curated by experienced Italian chefs. At restaurant Dei Cappucinni, Executive Chef Claudio Lanuto introduces a convent kitchen concept in which fresh, seasonal ingredients grown in the convent garden are incorporated in à la carte, monk-inspired dishes and sensory tasting menus. Chef Lanuto introduces guests to the finest, freshest produce in the garden and reveals his secrets for authentic local dishes in Anantara’s signature Spice Spoons cooking class experiences.

La Locanda della Canonica Pizzeria by Gino Sorbillo presents eight signature pizzas designed by a global pizza ambassador to create a journey through Campania. An internationally renowned pizza master, Gino invites diners to taste the flavors of the region, from anchovies from the nearby coastal village of Cetara and locally produced Provolone del Monaco to mozzarella and ricotta from Agerola.

Emphasizing its dedication to destination, Anantara offers unique experiences guided by local residents. In Amalfi offerings span culture, nature, gastronomy and beyond. The Path of the Gods, known to locals as the Sentiero Degli Dei, is a spectacular trek along the Lattari Mountains for stunning views of the Sorrentine Peninsula and the island of Capri in the distance. A journey by private Mercedes to Pompei and Herculaneum reveals spectacularly preserved historical details of ancient Roman life.

© Richard Waite

Culinary adventures include cooking classes in a lemon grove or historic vineyard, with tours and tastings to match. Anantara’s signature private dining experience, Dining by Design, invites couples to enjoy a personalized menu served by a private butler in a setting of their choice.

Private tours by vintage car or tuk-tuk take in the iconic shoreline of the Amalfi Coast with guided stops in Positano and Ravello. A private helicopter flight encompasses the region in all its glory with bird’s-eye views of the architectural wonders of Positano and of Sorrento. A romantic private cruise along the coast features elegant aperitivo with prosecco and show-stopping views of the sun setting over Capri.