Hotel Caesar Augustus

At Hotel Caesar Augustus, Capri is experienced from above: a clifftop position in Anacapri, 300 metres over the sea, opens onto the Bay of Naples. Once a haven for artists and aristocrats, this family-owned Relais & Châteaux hotel retains the atmosphere of a private villa despite its sweeping outlook. Its 56 rooms make it an intimate base, with Anacapri’s historic centre less than 200 metres away and Capri’s Piazzetta a ten-minute taxi ride from the hotel.

The setting shapes much of the pleasure here. A panoramic, two-level infinity pool, extensive clifftop gardens and an outdoor wellness area encourage time spent at the hotel rather than an itinerary filled from morning to night. The open-air terrace lounge and bar offer another place to pause over the view. Almost all rooms look towards the sea, but the Premium sea view rooms and suites sit closest to the cliff edge, with particularly clear, unobstructed perspectives across the bay-a distinction worth considering when choosing a room.

La Terrazza di Lucullo gives the panorama a culinary counterpart, with views of Vesuvius and the Sorrentine Peninsula accompanying regional Italian cooking. Herbs and vegetables come from the hotel’s kitchen garden, fish arrives from island fishermen, and Gragnano pasta and homemade bread also feature in its account of local flavour. Reserve a table ahead and note the smart-casual dress code; the specially positioned tables are subject to seasonal availability.

For an outing close to home, walk to Axel Munthe’s museum-house or the Monte Solaro chairlift. In summer, ask the concierge about concerts and performances in the museum-house garden. Bring flat shoes for Capri’s cobbles and stairways, and a light layer for evenings: those exposed terraces can catch the sea breeze.