Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel Review: A 13th-Century Monastery Reinvented
There are luxury hotels with history, and then there is the Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel — a property that literally is history. Carved into the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast since the year 1212, this former Capuchin monastery has spent eight centuries watching over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Today, it stands as one of Italy's most extraordinary five-star hotels, marrying medieval grandeur with the effortless refinement of the Anantara brand.
If you're searching for the definitive Amalfi Coast luxury hotel experience, the Convento di Amalfi deserves to be at the very top of your list — and after spending time researching every detail of this remarkable property, we can tell you exactly why.
The Setting: Drama from the First Moment
The Amalfi Coast is not short of breathtaking views. But few hotels anywhere in Italy command a position quite like this one. Perched high on a sheer cliff face, the Anantara Convento di Amalfi looks down over the town of Amalfi and out across an unbroken sweep of the Mediterranean Sea.
Arrival already sets the tone. Guests approach through narrow coastal roads that wind past lemon groves and pastel-coloured villages before the monastery's ancient stone façade appears above. There is no grand motor lobby here — instead, a sense of genuine discovery, as though you've stumbled upon something that was never meant to be a hotel at all.
The cliff-edge location does mean the property is entirely pedestrian from this point forward. Luggage is handled, steep stairways and atmospheric passageways lead you deeper into the structure, and the Mediterranean appears in glimpses through arched windows and terracotta corridors until — suddenly — the full panorama opens up from your room, terrace, or the infinity pool. The effect is theatrical in the best possible way.
The Rooms: Monastery Cells, Reimagined
The Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel offers 52 rooms and suites, ranging from Deluxe Sea View rooms to the spectacular Grand Suite. What the property may lack in square footage on some entry-level categories, it more than compensates for in atmosphere and craftsmanship.
Every room features terracotta floors, vaulted or beamed ceilings, and the kind of thick stone walls that keep interiors cool even in the height of an Italian summer. Marble bathrooms with soaking tubs, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and — critically — a pillow menu for those who understand that a great night's sleep is non-negotiable at this price point.
What elevates the rooms beyond standard luxury is the detail: original frescoes preserved in corridor alcoves, wrought-iron beds that feel genuinely historic rather than reproduction, and windows and balconies positioned to maximise sea views across every category. Booking with a balcony is essential — waking up to that view is the single most arresting moment the Amalfi Coast offers.
Room tip: Junior Suites and above offer private terraces large enough for breakfast. If the budget allows, they're worth every euro over the standard Deluxe category.
The Pool & Outdoor Spaces
The infinity pool is the social heart of the Convento di Amalfi, and rightly so. Set against the cliff edge with nothing but open Mediterranean ahead, it creates one of the most photographed scenes on the entire coast. The pool area is generously decked with sunbeds and loungers, and pool service is attentive without being intrusive.
Beyond the main pool, the hotel features a network of sun terraces, garden walkways, and panoramic viewpoints spread across different levels of the cliff face. This is a hotel designed for wandering and discovering — a shaded corner with a sea breeze here, a lemon tree courtyard there. Each corner of the property reveals a different perspective on the landscape.
Dining: La Locanda and the Panoramic Terrace
Food at the Anantara Convento di Amalfi is serious business. La Locanda is the hotel's flagship restaurant, serving elevated Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with the kind of produce you'd expect from this corner of Campania: local anchovies from Cetara, buffalo mozzarella from the nearby plains, freshly caught seafood, and of course the famous Amalfi Coast lemons used in everything from pasta to dessert to limoncello.
Breakfast at the hotel is buffet-style — a broad spread of pastries, fresh fruit, eggs to order, local cheeses, and the sort of Italian cornetto that makes you question every breakfast decision you've ever made at home.
During summer, dining shifts to the panoramic terrace — open air, candles, the sound of the sea hundreds of metres below. It is, frankly, one of the best restaurant settings in Italy. Reservations for terrace tables should be made as early as possible; demand among both hotel guests and visitors from Amalfi town is consistently high.
The hotel also operates a second dining concept at the water's edge during peak season — accessible via a private boat or by arrangement — offering casual seafood lunches directly at sea level. A complete contrast to the clifftop grandeur above, and a genuinely special way to spend an afternoon.
Wellness & The Spa
The wellness offering at the Anantara Convento di Amalfi is compact but excellent. The spa operates within ancient vaulted chambers that were once part of the monastery's working areas — stone walls, low lighting, and the scent of Mediterranean botanicals create an atmosphere that no purpose-built spa can easily replicate.
Treatments draw on Anantara's signature approach: blending local ingredients (Amalfi lemon oil, regional herbs) with traditional techniques. The hammam and sauna are available alongside a range of massage and facial treatments bookable through the concierge.
For those who prefer movement, the sea-view fitness centre offers modern equipment positioned with perhaps the best gym view in Italy. Floor-to-ceiling windows face the Mediterranean — running on a treadmill here is, somehow, not terrible.
The Location: Amalfi at Your Doorstep
One of the Convento di Amalfi's significant practical advantages is its proximity to Amalfi town itself. The historic centre, with its Norman cathedral, seafront piazza, and labyrinthine alleyways of ceramics shops and aperitivo bars, is a short walk from the hotel entrance.
This matters more than it might seem. Many Amalfi Coast hotels sit in isolated positions that require a car or boat for every excursion. The Convento allows guests to slip into town for a morning espresso, afternoon gelato, or evening stroll without logistics — a rare convenience on a coastline where getting anywhere typically involves hairpin roads and considerable patience.
Day trips to Positano (15–20 minutes by car or boat), Ravello (20 minutes), and Capri (accessible by hydrofoil from Amalfi's port) are all easily manageable. The hotel concierge handles arrangements for private boat charters, guided hikes along the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei), and transfers to Positano and Naples with well-established local operators.
Best time to visit: May through June and September through October offer the ideal combination of warm weather, manageable crowds, and full hotel facilities. July and August are peak season — expect higher rates and busier roads, though the hotel's position above the town provides some insulation from the worst of the summer crowds.
Who Is This Hotel For?
The Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel is not a hotel for everyone — and it knows it. The medieval structure means no lifts in significant portions of the building, limited accessibility for those with mobility challenges, and rooms that prioritise character over space in the entry categories.
It is, however, a near-perfect choice for:
- Couples and honeymooners seeking dramatic, romantic surroundings with genuine historic atmosphere
- Travellers who've done the standard luxury box and want something architecturally and experientially distinctive
- Italophiles who want to feel embedded in the real cultural heritage of the coast, not merely adjacent to it
- Those prioritising dining and views over pools and beach clubs (though both are available)
The hotel carries a 4.7 rating across major booking platforms — exceptional for a property of this age and complexity — reflecting consistent delivery on a genuinely challenging brief.
Pricing & Value
The Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel sits firmly at the top end of the Amalfi Coast market. Expect to pay a significant premium during peak months. For the Amalfi Coast specifically, where luxury is the default mode across most properties, the Convento justifies its rates through something competitors cannot manufacture: 800 years of authentic history and a setting that remains, after all those centuries, genuinely extraordinary.
Booking directly through CinqStay ensures rate transparency with no hidden fees and access to verified room categories.
Verdict
The Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel is not simply a place to sleep on the Amalfi Coast — it is one of the most atmospheric and historically significant luxury hotels in all of Italy. From the cliff-carved corridors to the infinity pool hanging over the Mediterranean, from La Locanda's terrace dinners to the spa chambers built into century-old stone vaults, every element of this hotel earns its place.
If you are travelling to the Amalfi Coast and want a hotel that will define the trip rather than simply host it, the Convento di Amalfi is the answer.
CinqStay Rating: 9.2 / 10
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FAQ: Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel
Is the Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel suitable for families with young children? The hotel is best suited for couples and adult travellers. The historic building involves significant staircases, there are no children's facilities, and the cliff-edge environment requires constant supervision of young children. Families with older children who appreciate cultural and historical environments will find it manageable.
Does the hotel have a private beach? The hotel does not have a traditional beach in the Amalfi Coast sense, but it does provide access to sea-level lounging and dining facilities by boat arrangement during the summer season. The Amalfi Coast is generally rocky rather than sandy — the hotel's pool and sun terraces are the primary outdoor relaxation spaces.
How do you get to the Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel? The hotel is located in Amalfi town, accessible by car via the SS163 coastal road (approximately 1.5 hours from Naples, 2 hours from Salerno). Ferry and hydrofoil services connect Amalfi to Naples, Positano, and Capri. The hotel concierge can arrange private transfers from Naples Capodichino airport and the major train stations.
Is the hotel accessible for guests with mobility limitations? The historic structure presents significant accessibility challenges — multiple levels connected by stairs, narrow medieval passageways, and limited elevator access in parts of the building. Guests with mobility concerns should contact the hotel directly before booking to discuss room placement and access routes.
What is the best room category to book at the Convento di Amalfi? For the full experience, a Junior Suite or above is recommended — these categories include private terraces with sea views large enough to use comfortably. Standard Deluxe Sea View rooms are excellent value relative to the category and offer balconies, though terrace space is more limited.