KeithLinCharlotte
July 19, 2024
Let’s just start out with some general statements… Caruso is a pretty fabulous property. The rooms are beautiful. The views are mesmerizing. The overall service is strong. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Caruso and used it at the back end of an Italian adventure with friends to relax. It delivered. We arrived in the later afternoon and were quickly whisked away to our suite. Attendants took our bags and delivered them promptly. Getting to our suite required a bit of cardio - up and down several flights of outdoor stairs and through some beautiful gardens. However, we were rewarded with suite 52 which offered a spectacular terrace overlooking a garden and the Golf of Salerno. Wow! Inside, a living area, dining area, sleeping area were all contained in one large room with large French doors that opened out on to the terrace. The sizable bathroom was clad in white marble and featured a large tub and two sinks. Suite 52 also offered something very unique in the way of an area of preserved ruins dating back to the original construction of the palace and a secluded study area in a second story. Needless to say, this suite is special and memorable. In our case, we were with friends and really looking to relax and unwind. As such, we spent most of our time by the pool. The infinity edged pool offers spectacular views and was a cool retreat from the hot July weather. Despite the hotel being full, there was plenty of space for everyone around the pool and attendants prevented guests from throwing stuff on loungers at 6am to secure a spot - all very civil. I would thank Donatella, Marco Sr. and Marco Jr. who kept everything running smoothly, constantly kept our umbrellas in the right place for shade and kept us hydrated with Aperol spritzes. Right next to the sun beds was the pool bar and grill where you could get pizza, pasta and salads. While there, we took advantage of Caruso’s complimentary boat ride from the town of Amalfi to Positano and back. The boat ride offered is convenient way to get to Positano and a wonderful way to see the coast line. The captain and the host on the boat were a delight and pointed out highlights along the way. I would definitely encourage anyone staying at the Caruso to take advantage of the service - it’s free and just a 20 minute shuttle ride down to the town of Amalfi. Caruso offers two dining options, one casual and one for fine dining. Both are in a similar location with amazing views. On our first night, we opted to eat at the Caruso Grill. Lorenzo took expert care of our table, recommending a simple preparation of a local shellfish with some pasta as well as some sides. He recommended a beautiful local rose to accompany the meal. We were very happy. On another night, we tried Belvedere, the fine dining restaurant which offers various tasting menus. In our case, we opted for the four course ‘Earth’ menu. In summary, the eggplant parmigiana was very good, the ‘E’ ravioli was probably the