As Spring arrives on the Amalfi Coast, the renowned Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa opens its doors for the 2024 season. This former 17th-century Dominican monastery, now a boutique hotel, stands out as a must-visit destination on Italy’s southern coast. Suspended over a cliff edge situated between Amalfi and Positano, Monastero Santa Rosa has been meticulously restored to offer 20 sea view rooms and suites, an infinity pool, which gives the sensation of floating over the coastline, a world-renowned spa, and a Michelin-Star restaurant situated over the fragrant terraced gardens for which Monastero Santa Rosa is known for. From weddings to romantic getaways, this enchanting sanctuary provides an idyllic backdrop with unmatched views and amenities.
Spring provides the perfect time to visit the Amalfi Coast, with fewer crowds and the opportunity for guests to sample produce from the first harvest of the property’s garden. The seasonal bounty from April will include friarielli broccoli, unique to the surrounding area of Monastero Santa Rosa, artichokes, ‘taccole’ beans and peas, all of which will be expertly incorporated into fresh dishes by Executive Chef Alfonso Crescenzo who was born in the nearby town of Sarno.
Dating back to its early days when the sisters created the famous Sfogliatella pastry within the monastery’s walls, Monastero Santa Rosa has been a place of culinary innovation. Today, this focus remains at the monastery, drawing on its long history to serve guests world-class meals in a world-class location. A visit to Monastero Santa Rosa is made all the more memorable at the Michelin-starred Ristorante Il Refettorio. Guests can sample fresh local cuisine from the Campania region, with seasonal menus featuring fresh seafood delivered daily by the local fishermen, locally produced olive oil, and organic vegetables and herbs grown in the hotel’s garden. Signature creations include ‘Il Crudo a Mano Libera’ – thinly-sliced raw fish of the day, served with ‘sfusato Amalfitano’ lemon-herb mayonnaise and a Campari-fruit emulsion as well as pastas such as housemade egg tagliolini with ‘Pollino’ summer truffle and raw sweet shrimp. Their on-site sommelier also meticulously selects wine pairings from their curated wine collection to elevate any dining experience.
The Spa at Monastero Santa Rosa has been designed to fit within the original 17th-century vaulted ceilings and ancient stone walls. It includes a Thermal Suite, which interconnects a stunning double-height vaulted Tepidarium (warm relaxing room) with heated benches and whirlpool footbaths, a domed herbal Steam Room, a wood Sauna, a Hydrotherapy Pool, and a Rasul room. A private walled outdoor Treatment Pavilion is located under a shaded canopy. It offers alfresco treatments, each exclusively created for Monastero Santa Rosa using the world-renowned Santa Maria Novella products.
Reintroduced this season will be live music performances taking place in the new outdoor lounge area. Additionally, the property will offer a range of local experiences including Rosa Romance, A Day in Ancient Pompeii, and Health and Hike. For a romantic experience, Rosa Romance offers couples a 3-night stay in a Sea View room or Suite, featuring a complimentary upgrade, Prosecco on arrival, an 80-minute Candle Massage Treatment at the Santa Rosa Spa Suite, access to the Thermal Suite, a 5-course dinner for two defined by their Executive Chef, as well as nightly turndown gifts. For those interested in a deeper dive into the destination, A Day in Ancient Pompeii includes a private tour of the ancient ruins of the lost city with a guide, followed by a lunch and wine experience at a vineyard near Pompeii. Back on the property, guests can enjoy a dinner inspired by ancient Romans and Greeks while inhabiting the region and relax in the spa with Vesuvian-stone or volcanic clay treatments reminiscent of ancient Pompeii bathhouses. Health and Hike invites guests to explore the stunning Amalfi Coast on foot with a guided hike by a local expert, uncovering hidden gems of the area and enjoying a farm-to-table lunch. The experience also includes a rejuvenating Arnica Body Wrap Treatment to help alleviate fatigued muscles following the day’s activities.
The owner, Bianca Sharma, handpicked antiques sourced locally from Santa Rosa and throughout her travels in Italy. At the same time, historical photographs of the area and the monastery dot the walls, adding to the sense of history. The vaulted ceilings and arched windows of the nun’s rooms and refectory have been carefully preserved and cleverly linked with en-suite bathrooms to create truly contemporary spaces. Some rooms and suites offer private terraces overlooking the sea, ideal for romantic breakfasts and pre-dinner drinks.
