San Michele Anacapri 4 stars

Hotel San Michele occupies a truly unique position, towering 300 meters above sea level, right on the cliff edge to the North of the island of Capri. The hotel's bedrooms offer breathtaking views over the island and across the Gulf of Naples. From the terraces and balconies Sorrento, the Amalfi coast, Mount Vesuvius and the islands of Ischia and Procida are all clearly visible. The ruins of the Barbarossa Castle rest on the hillside behind the hotel, rising up from amidst the carpet of broom flowers so characteristic of the countryside of Anacapri.

The original building work, in unadulterated Neo-Classical style, terminated in 1880 and Hotel San Michele received its first guests some 14 years later. It was one of the first fully fledged hotels to be constructed on the island of Capri and shortly after opening to the public had already established itself as a favourite haunt of the growing group of writers and artists associated with the famous Swedish writer and physician Axel Munthe. Queen Victoria Friedrich Von Baden, wife of King Gustavo of Sweden, was just one of the illustrious names linked to the writer to have stayed at the Hotel. Many of the pieces of art which can be admired in the hotel were left there by the group of internationally famous artists who resided at San Michele.

The romantic atmosphere, so venerated by those European writers of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, is still preserved in the gold framed mirrors, period photos, paintings and original Luigi XVI style furnishings. The 4 spacious suites are a recent addition to the hotel, all with marvellous views over the sea and the whole of Capri.

Today, the hotel boasts a great variety of superb modern facilities including the island's biggest swimming pool, a health oasis staffed by professional masseurs, and tennis courts. Free transfers in the hotel minibus are available to and from the harbour of Marina Grande on arrival and departure. The hotel has special rates for families and corporate clients. The "Sala Edwin" meeting room is suitable for a vast range of events and has a seating capacity for up to 120 participants.

Those staying at the hotel can choose to dine at the poolside "Il Ristorantino" or the "La Baia di Napoli" panoramic restaurant the latter able to accommodate up to 200 guests. Both eateries serve the very best regional dishes. Many of the ingredients used to create the faultless Mediterranean cuisine have been grown in the hot