Location
To seek the shores and rocky terrain of the Amalfi Coast must be the deepest desire of any traveler. On this latest adventure I find myself flying into the beautiful Bay of Naples and then traveling about 3 hours to the seaside town of Praiano (in between Amalfi and Positano) to unwind for a few days.
I am staying at the stunning Hotel Onda Verde which is perched on the Praiano cliffs overlooking the bay (pictured below).
The view from the hotel onto the bay and surrounds is quite a breathtaking sight indeed.
Next to the hotel is also the beach with plenty of sunbeds, cafes and bars. Most of the major boat tours to Capri and the rest of the Amalfi Coast depart from here making it the ideal spot to stay.
The Room
I check into my room and the elevator is cut through the cliff and you have to walk through a stony walkway through to the room but its ideally located. The room is decorated in a minimalist style which gives an understated luxe feel.
They don’t do room service, but you can order from the bar and bring drinks to sip in the bed if that’s your style.
There is a beautiful rainforest shower, light marble panels and dark brown marble washbasin. The bath light is a dim fluro blue which gives a nightclub feel.
Exotic bath amenities from Prija are lovely to keep one refreshed throughout the stay.
The towels are beautifully embroided with the hotel logo
The most amazing part of the room is the view over the bay from your private terrace.
This is the sunset view everyday.
Afternoons are spent sipping a spritz or a wine watching the boats jet across the bay.
The Restaurant
You don’t even need to leave the hotel for meals as there is a fine restaurant within the hotel with a decent wine selection and which serves lovely Italian cuisine.
The seafood is fresh; caught from the waters below and then onto your plate. The afternoons are spent lazing on the restaurant terrace with a glass of wine and working through a fresh pasta or seafood dish.
Spaghetti Frutti di Mare Misti
Risotto alla Pescatora
Rack of New Zealand Lamb
My love of red wines draws to a lamb dish one night and it did match the standard of the seafood.
Outdoor Verandah
The restaurant has an outdoor verandah around the bend on the footpath which overlooks the other side of the bay.
Breakfast
There is nothing more magical than breakfast with a view and that’s the specialty at this hotel.
There is a hearty selection of traditional breakfast staples (eggs, bacon, fruits and juices) along with light Mediterranean fare (cheese, cured meats, mini sandwiches and pastries). The dessert selection is impressive as well.
I assemble a beautiful spread from the breakfast buffet everyday against one of the most stunning views of Praiano. Here is a selection of my breakfast snaps during my stay.
Massage & Exercise Centre
There is a beautiful undercover area with massage tables and a treadmill with spectacular views. You can book a massage at reception to loosen any pre-holiday tensions in your muscles.
I hardly ever use the treadmill but with this view I couldn’t say no. I got to keep fit and enjoy the vista while I was at it.
The Pool & Terrace
The hotel has a lovely terrace overlooking the bay. It’s probably of more use if you don’t have a seaview room, but I found it easier to order cocktails and chill on the terrace area.
If you fancy a dip in the pool (and who doesn’t) then this is one of the most amazing pools on the coast. It has stunning views across the bay and a beautiful waterfall feature with sunbeds below to chill and let the Italian sun do it’s job. The video (at the end of the post) has a good clip which showcases the pool better than these snaps.
Of course you can enjoy a wine or cocktail on the sunbed.
I couldn’t describe the hotel in a few words or even pictures so I compiled a mini video diary of my time here to do it justice. It is a breathtaking spot and the Hotel Onda Verde is the best way to experience the Amalfi Coast in all its splendour.
The idyllic surrounds, the crisp salinity in the air and the sensuous allure of the aqua waters of the bay below leaves you with a sense of stillness, awe and wonder which is just indescribable. You will remain in my heart and dreams every day.
The background music is from ‘I Lived’ by OneRepublic. I do not own any rights to the song.
Fantabulous!!!