The Island of Capri off the Bay of Naples has been inhabited since the Roman era and the emperor Tiberius actually moved there permanently in 27 AD running the empire from Capri until his death. Today, many visitors to Capri make the mistake of staying in the town of Sorrento on the mainland, only to travel for the day to Capri. The best times on Capri are the evenings and early mornings before the day tourists invade the island en masse, so spending the extra money to stay overnight (and Capri is expensive) is worth every penny.
Villa Brunella Capri is one of these unique places close enough to the center of Capri, but far enough from the tour groups and day visitors to the island. It is a 10-minute walk from Capri’s main piazzetta along Via Tragara, a pretty pedestrian pathway which leads past a string of elegant villas set in gardens of fragrant pine trees and wild myrtle, to the Punta Tragara view point. Just before the viewpoint which overlooks the legendary Faraglioni rocks, the keen-eyed visitor might spy the entrance to Villa Brunella, a gorgeous little hotel constructed on a series of terraces which descend towards the sea, whose gardens brim with bougainvillea and hibiscus.
Each of Villa Brunella’s spacious, light-filled bedrooms has its own sea view terrace, furnished with table, chairs and comfortable sun loungers. The same soft shades of pink, green and blue used for the upholstery and bed linen are found in the delicate floral motifs embellishing the majolica floor tiles. All rooms have a generously sized walk-in wardrobe. Bathrooms are fitted with both bathtub and shower. The bathrooms in the suites have a fabulous bathtub for two, complete with hydromassage facility. Situated on a secluded terrace, invisible to prying eyes, guests find Villa Brunella’s marvelous sea-view swimming pool and solarium the ideal place in which to take a refreshing dip on a hot summer day or to laze on one of the hotels stylish chaise-longue.
A second sun deck is located amidst the green of the Mediterranean garden. The excellent restaurant specializes in local Campagna dishes with evening views of the cliffs and water. A typical day at Villa Brunella would include a walk to the beach at Marina Piccola (the hotel offers free entrance to one of the private beach clubs), a leisurely hike to Tiberius Villa or hike up to Monte Solaro, the highest peak in the Island (accessible also via chairlift). Afternoons could be dedicated to shopping and strolling in the small streets around the main Piazzetta.
We stayed in Villa Brunella in September 2013 and enjoyed the location (our spacious room had a large balcony and a view onto the sea), the quietness of the place (the rooms face the sea and are far from the street) and the lovely restaurant, which is actually one of the most difficult places to get a reservation in Capri. We would definitely stay there again the next time we come to Capri.
Hotel Villa Brunella Capri
Via Tragara, 24 · 80073 Capri (Napoli)
Tel +39 081 8370122
About Arnon Kohavi
