Il Capri Hotel: A Boutique Alternative to Capri's Luxury Resorts

| Mon, 08/07/2023 - 01:53
Il Capri Hotel sea view / Photo: Marine Billet

Ed.: The Inspired Stays series highlights hotels we love around Italy. Each property is independently reviewed by an Italy Magazine writer, who is generally hosted on a complimentary basis. Our contributors do not accept compensation or gifts in exchange for specific types of coverage. We only showcase properties we would genuinely recommend overall.

Why we love it

This intimate boutique hotel exudes homey vintage style and has a great location near the Piazzetta.

What to expect

Lobby interiors at Il Capri Hotel / Photo: Marine Billet
Lobby interiors at Il Capri Hotel / Photo: Marine Billet

Bamboo and rattan furniture, a pink and red color scheme, and personal touches like the owner’s family photographs give the hotel a unique feel. The adults-only hotel seems to be courting millennial travelers with its Instagram-friendly design and relatively affordable price point (though of course on Capri nothing comes cheap).

Background

The owners, husband-and-wife team Arnaud Lacombe and Graziella Buontempo, run the Savoir Vivre hospitality group in Paris, but this is their first property in Italy. (Buontempo is originally from Naples.) It’s located in a 19th-century pink neo-Gothic villa that wouldn’t look out of place in Venice.

Location, location, location

Exterior of Il Capri Hotel / Photo: Marine Billet
Exterior of Il Capri Hotel / Photo: Marine Billet

Located right on bustling Via Roma, the hotel is just steps from the bus station where you can take a bus or taxi to Anacapri, Marina Piccola and other points of interest. It’s a five-minute walk to the Piazzetta and the funicular that shuttles people up and down from the Marina Grande.

Where you’ll sleep

The hotel has 21 rooms done up in a style billed as “no frills luxury.” My room was outfitted with a bamboo desk and side tables, block printed bedding and a vintage poster. A wardrobe resembling the striped cabins found at beach clubs was a cute touch. There was also a small balcony with sea views and a built-in seating area. Unfortunately the mattress sagged as soon as I sat on it and the sisal flooring was rough to the touch.

Dining and drinks

Rooftop terrace at Il Capri Hotel / Photo: Marine Billet
Rooftop terrace at Il Capri Hotel / Photo: Marine Billet

The hotel has an all-day restaurant called Vesuvio and a lobby bar called Caprirama, in addition to a subterranean nightclub open a few days a week. Breakfast — available a la carte — is served on the ground floor, while dinner is served upstairs on the rooftop terrace, which has lovely sea views and a nice atmosphere, with red umbrellas, string lights, potted plants, marble tables and rattan bistro chairs. I enjoyed the ravioli caprese at dinner, but found breakfast a bit underwhelming. 

Service notes

Reception at Il Capri Hotel / Photo: Marine Billet
Reception at Il Capri Hotel / Photo: Marine Billet

When I asked for an Aperol Spritz at Vesuvio, I was told that they don’t carry Aperol in order to differentiate themselves. However, after a day out in the sun, I didn’t want one of the strong cocktails on the rather short list and was disappointed that there were no low-ABV options available.

Family perks

The hotel has an adults-only policy but accepts pets.

You should know...

Pool at Il Capri Hotel / Photo: Marine Billet
Pool at Il Capri Hotel / Photo: Marine Billet

The rooftop pool has fantastic views of the sea, but the hotel doesn’t have its own beach club so for a beach day you'll have to book a spot at one of the island's exclusive beach clubs or vie for a spot at the spiaggia libera in Marina Piccola.

Features & amenities

  • City
  • Seaside
  • Restaurant 
  • Bar
  • Free WiFi
  • Pool
  • Rooftop terrace
  • Pets allowed
  • Elevator

Contacts

Il Capri Hotel 
Via Roma 71, Capri, 80076                        
Tel. +39 0818370003
Website