On the cliffs of Capri, where bougainvillea tumbles down stone walls and the Tyrrhenian Sea glitters like glass, stands Il Capri Hotel—a Venetian-Gothic palazzo reborn as one of the island’s most alluring retreats. Painted a signature shade of dusky pink, the building has watched over Capri since the late nineteenth century. Today, after a meticulous renovation, it offers a rare blend of heritage, elegance, and a slower kind of luxury.
Heritage and Design
Originally built in 1899, the neo-Gothic palazzo once served as a private villa before its transformation into a hotel. The recent restoration has been carried out with respect for the past: soaring archways, a marble staircase, and vaulted windows frame interiors furnished with raw natural materials, vintage objects, and bespoke design pieces.
Technology is deliberately discreet. Many rooms are free of televisions and digital distractions, allowing guests to rest in harmony with the building’s rhythms, the island’s light, and the shifting sea beyond. The result is a retreat that feels timeless, almost cinematic—like stepping into a page of Capri’s golden-age history.
Location
Il Capri Hotel sits along Via Roma, just minutes from the famed Piazzetta, the lively square that serves as Capri’s social heart. The Gardens of Augustus, Marina Grande, and the winding alleys of Capri town are all within easy reach. Yet the hotel feels like a private refuge: close enough to the bustle, but designed for quiet retreat when the day’s explorations are done.
Rooms and Atmosphere
The hotel offers just 21 rooms, each individually designed. Some open onto terraces overlooking the Gulf of Naples; others frame intimate views of sky and garden. Furnishings are simple but refined: crisp linens, handcrafted ceramics, and bathrooms lined in stone.
The atmosphere is intimate and unhurried. Days begin with breakfast on a shaded terrace, continue with hours spent drifting between town and pool, and end with cocktails at sunset as the façades of Capri glow in the fading light.
Dining and Nightlife
Il Capri’s rooftop restaurant, Vesuvio, serves Mediterranean dishes that celebrate seasonal produce and local tradition. The panoramic views make every meal a spectacle, with Mount Vesuvius rising in the distance across the Bay of Naples.
At ground level, Caprirama bar offers a chic pause during the day, while the hotel’s basement revives its historic role as a nightclub—an echo of Capri’s mid-century dolce vita.
Rooftop Pool and Leisure
The rooftop pool is Il Capri’s showpiece: red parasols and white loungers set against endless sea and sky. It is a place for long afternoons, Aperol spritz in hand, with only the sound of gulls and waves in the distance. Unlike many grand Capri resorts, Il Capri is not about sprawling luxury; it is about small-scale perfection, where every corner feels curated for calm.
A Different Kind of Luxury
Il Capri Hotel is not a beach club and makes no attempt to compete with Capri’s flashier resorts. Instead, it offers something rarer: privacy, atmosphere, and a philosophy of restoration that favours authenticity over excess. By removing noise—literal and digital—the hotel allows the island itself to take centre stage.
For travellers seeking more than a bed with a view, Il Capri is an invitation to live a few days in harmony with place and history. The palazzo’s pink walls catch the light of sunrise and sunset, and for a moment Capri feels less like a destination and more like a dream.
My World of Interiors 