Carved into the sheer rock face like something out of a James Bond movie and hidden from prying eyes (the only outward sign of the hotel is a tiny chapel on road level), the San Pietro lies a few bends in the road east of Positano. The terraces and some of the bedrooms overlook the village; all around there is the deep, blue sea. People come here for peace and quiet, but if you are feeling sociable, Positano’s bars and restaurants are within a short hop in the free shuttle bus or (much more glamorous) in the hotel’s boat.
Il San Pietro overlooks the bay of Positano, surrounded by scented gardens. From the main terrace, you can take in at a glance the Coast as far as the Faraglioni of Capri, or simply enjoy the spectacular and worldwide famous view of Positano. The atmosphere immediately captures you in the hall, at the bar, in the corridors or in the other common areas is one of a noble mansion, with precious furniture, a private writing desk, paintings, carpets, and many flowers. The property feels more like a private house than a hotel, where the painting of Carlino Cinque looks on the table where guests leave books others will read, as a message-tie to forthcoming people. All rooms have a private terrace overlooking the sea, while ‘special’ rooms are so-called because of their particular position, structure, and size.
The San Pietro oozes discreet retro glamour throughout its gleaming hallways, fabulous terraces, and magnificent guest rooms. Though ultra-luxurious and frequented by film stars and royalty, this is essentially a family-run affair and it shows: that the atmosphere is warm and welcoming and far from snooty. The hotel started life in the 1970s when Carlo Cinque built a spectacular villa for himself on the side of a rocky promontory; over the years, more rooms were added and he opened the house to guests. His descendants still manage the hotel today.
Guests want nothing here. You could easily arrive at the hotel and throw away the car keys for the duration: just about anything you could wish for is on-site, and for a zip up the coast, one of the hotel’s private boats will pick you up from the jetty. There is a bar with a spectacular terrace overlooking the sparkling lights of Positano across the water, a gourmet restaurant, fabulous terraced gardens, a spa and gym, and on sea level, a private ‘beach’, a tennis court, and a casual-chic beachside restaurant. The faultless service, led by Swiss-trained owner-GM Vito Cinque, is old-school and as charming as it is professional.
The bedrooms and suites tumble down the cliff-side in a series of flower-bedecked terraces; each has its own private outside space, some of which are enormous. All have extraordinary sea vistas (the most coveted with views onto Positano), some even from the bath. All the rooms have been re-vamped by interior designer Fausta Gaetani in recent years and they have a chic, crisp, fresh feel with jazzy handpainted ceramic tiles, fabrics in sunny, Mediterranean colors, antiques, and stylish design details offset by dazzling white paintwork. They come with pampering extras such as cashmere throws in the wardrobes and the immaculate bathrooms are everything you would expect at this level.
The hotel has a 350-square-meter, state-of-the-art kitchen for Michelin-starred chef Alois Vanlangenaeker and his 35-strong team.
Zass restaurant
Chef Alois Vanlangenaeker ‘s dishes embody his quest for purity, harmony & refinement. His creations recall contemporary paintings while seeking to maintain Italian gastronomic tradition. Most of the products used by the kitchen’s team of 35 cooks come from Il San Pietro’s organic vegetable garden or local growers and suppliers.
Enjoy a fine wine to accompany your fine dining. Head sommelier, Salvatore Marrone, proposes a wine list of over 600 labels from the San Pietro cellar, the result of research aimed at discovering the best national and international wines, with a special interest in small producers. At gourmet restaurant Zass, he whips up dishes such as codfish gnocchi with octopus and truffle, John Dory with lemon and buffalo yogurt, and warm rabbit salad with saffron vinaigrette; much of the fresh produce comes from the hotel’s 10,000 square-meter kitchen garden. Meals are served on a ridiculously romantic sea-facing terrace or, for a taste of the action, at the chef’s table in the kitchen.
The Carlino restaurant
For something more informal, head down to waterside Carlino’s for tasty, local dishes such as mozzarella grilled on lemon leaves and spaghetti with courgettes or clams.
Showcasing the informal side of the hotel, it is the perfect place to sample popular local cuisine made from fresh seasonal ingredients. The dishes are prepared in single portions with fresh ingredients from Il San Pietro’s gardens. Don’t miss out on Carlino’s signature Lemon Spaghetti!
The sumptuous breakfast buffet – bowls of fresh, seasonal fruit, freshly squeezed juices, local mozzarella, smoked salmon and rare roast beef, creamy locally made yogurt, homemade bread, and jams – will set you up for the day and the bar terrace, with its famous majolica-tiled benches, is a peerless spot for a sundowner.
Terrace bar
The Terrace Bar is the majestic heart of the San Pietro, suspended between sea and sky. Outside garden vegetation merges with the interior lounge, where bougainvillea vines spread across the ceilings over soft cream sofas and terracotta tiles. The iconic terrace, with its beautiful flower gardens and ornately tiled benches overlooking Positano, Praiano, and Li Galli islands, is an enchanted spot to sit and sip a refreshing Bellini as the sun dips behind the rolling coastline.
Bee Chic
‘Bee Chic is what happens when street food meets elegance.
Working eight years at a top hotel’s champagne and oyster bar triggered Alfonso Ferrara’s big idea. Why not combine that same standard of luxury with the easy character of street food? Together with a friend, they kitted out an Ape Piaggio with a refrigerator, ice machine, and cooker.
The Bee Chic became an instant hit on the Amalfi Coast. The novel concept featured in popular television food shows and national newspapers, before the three-wheeler made its final flight, to rest on the San Pietro’s iconic cocktail terrace.
The Bee Chic menu offers a fresh mix of light bites from around the world, giving guests a fun alternative to restaurant dining.
