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A family villa above Amalfi, welcoming guests since 1904
- Family-run since 1904
- MICHELIN-starred Glicine
- Lift to the Beach Club
- Children welcome
The story
The Gambardella family’s story as hoteliers began in 1870, when their family home near Amalfi became a small hotel, the first Sainte Catherine. In 1880 Giuseppe Gambardella built the villa that still stands above the sea today.
In 1904, with the help of his wife and his son Crescenzo, Dr Giuseppe Gambardella opened Hotel Santa Caterina with just six rooms. Each generation added more: terraces of Amalfi lemon trees, suites in the gardens and, later, neighbouring villas.
Today the hotel is run by the third and fourth generations of the family, with 66 rooms and suites furnished with family antiques and tiles from Vietri. Its restaurant Glicine, led by chef Giuseppe Stanzione, holds a MICHELIN star.
At a glance
- Where
- On the cliff about 700 m west of Amalfi town centre
- Open since
- 1904, built on an 1880 family villa
- Rooms
- 66 rooms and suites, plus villas
- Dining
- Glicine (one MICHELIN star) and Al Mare by the sea
- Wellness
- Spa and gym with windows over the bay
- Pool
- Heated saltwater pool at the Beach Club
- Children
- Welcome
- Beach Club
- Open to guests from mid-April to October
- Nearest airport
- Naples, about 75 minutes by car
Why book it
A glass lift to the sea
A lift cut into the cliff takes you from the hotel down to the Beach Club, its pool and the sea.
A starred dinner
Glicine, under chef Giuseppe Stanzione, holds a MICHELIN star for its Mediterranean cooking.
Family warmth
The same family has run the hotel for four generations, and regulars return year after year.
Amalfi on foot
The town’s cathedral, harbour and boats are about 700 metres away, with a shuttle too.
Amenities
Food and drink
- Glicine, one MICHELIN star
- Al Mare, grilled fish and pizza
- Il Grottino Bar
- Wine cellar
Wellness
- Spa with the “Oro di Amalfi” treatment
- Gym with sea views
Pool and outdoors
- Beach Club with heated saltwater pool
- Steps into the sea
- Lemon groves and gardens
Experiences
- Boat trips along the coast
- Live music at the bar on some evenings
Service
- Shuttle to Amalfi
- Boutique
- Private villas
Did you know?
Six rooms to start
When it opened in 1904, Hotel Santa Caterina had just six rooms.
Tiles from Vietri
Floors are laid with majolica tiles handmade in nearby Vietri sul Mare.
A lemon farm too
The terraced gardens grow Amalfi’s famous lemons, the Sfusato Amalfitano.
Good to know
Best for
- Couples and honeymooners
- Families with children
- Food lovers
- Travellers who want to walk into Amalfi
Think twice if
- You prefer modern, minimalist design
- You want a sandy beach
- You want a private pool in your room
- Steps and slopes are hard for you
The Beach Club is open from mid-April to October. Book Glicine ahead in high season.
Location
Ready to choose?
See it side by side
Wondering how Santa Caterina compares with Borgo Santandrea, just along the coast at Conca dei Marini?
Last checked: October 2026. Sources: Forbes Travel Guide, Luxurious Magazine, Forbes Italia, Wexas, Lightfoot Travel, The Luxury Holiday Company. Facts change: please confirm details with the hotel when booking. We may earn a commission.