There’s Always Capri. Hotel La Palma, Capri

Oetker Collection, newest arrival in Italy is a sparkling diamond perched on the rock of Capri. Many of our chic travelers have camped at their Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, this recent siren song of the Mediterranean will make Capri a hotspot again!

In a stunning renovation led by internationally acclaimed designer Francis Sultana, in his first ever hotel project, Hotel La Palma has been designed to be an inviting home away from home. Sultana deftly captured Capri’s beautiful lightness and minimalism while injecting flair and flourishes in a nod to the island’s 1950s jet-set era. Pale rooms in white hues and a heavenly blue, dashes of the original subtle green. Fifty rooms, including 18 suites, each with a private terrace or balcony overlooking a picturesque view of Capri.

La Palma Hotel, Capri

Few locations are as synonymous with chic summertime glam, glitterati and natural beauty as Capri. Just the sapphire sea arrival sets the stage, the port is packed with super yachts, a desirable destination. My skipper and I voyaged around the limestone cliffs adorned with staggering stalactites dangling from the high reaching caverns, buzz by the stunning natural Faraglioni rocks jutting out from the deep sapphire sea.

The island gem is home to two primary towns quiet Anacapri and the more bustling Capri. La Palma is conveniently set near Piazza Umberto I square also known as the Piazzetta.

Much-loved Italian chef Gennaro Esposito is at helm of Hotel La Palma’s kitchens. A simple, stylish step back in time to the Capri of the 1950s, Gennaro’s restaurant embraces the timeless romance of the island, serving unpretentious, authentic Italian cuisine. Bianca, a glamorous, newly built rooftop restaurant, and bar open for dinner, offers spectacular views over Capri Village and the sea in the distance. Paying homage to the ‘classic Capri’ of the golden age, Hotel La Palma’s newly built pool deck and Aqua Bar offer the best seat in town to watch the world go by below.

Located in the beating heart of Capri, just steps from the famous Piazzetta, Hotel La Palma is perfectly positioned for guests to visit some of the most notable sites of Capri: I Giardini di Augusto, Via Krupp, La Certosa and the iconic Faraglioni.

Originally opened in 1822, Hotel La Palma – formerly known as Locanda Pagano – is the oldest hotel on Capri. The original owner, notary Giuseppe Pagano, hosted travellers in his villa for the pleasure of long conversations and often, his guests were artists, poets, writers, architects, painters, and musicians, all who showed their gratitude by painting the walls, writing poems, singing, and playing in what was dubbed the ‘Artists’ Hotel. 

Located on the main walkway, setback for the best people watching during lunch, near the leafy Piazzetta, the property is a lush outpost with a jazzy rooftop restaurant and bar, a roof top pool deck, its own beach club, and a fabulous chic spa.

I arrived early to wander the pathways, IMHO, Capri is best visited in early summer or late summer. Cruise ship visits, which should be banned, pack the narrow streets with people who break for gelato and the tchotchke filled shops near the port, It felt a bit overrun in July.

Visited but not stayed.

SeaDream. Let the Surf be Your Soundtrack.

SeaDream Yachting. If you dream of broad expanses of open ocean, but the idea of pulsating discos, searching for your dining table amid hundreds /thousands of diners or following a crowd of travelers snaking beyond a guide with an elevated orange flag…dream no more.

Our clients are not cruisers, my usual retort: my peeps don’t mingle, we usually charter private yachts all over the world for our sea loving clients.

I’ve reserved the Lindblad National Geographic exploration ships and sailed from Papeete to the Marquesas, which was a marvelous adventure with a small group of like-minded travelers. One of my younger clients treats his parents to these explorations.

A random introduction by one of my respected travel colleagues led to a very fascinating connection to SeaDream yachting.

A small family-owned firm, SeaDream Yacht Club has a unique approach to cruising. Small is Small with their twin cruising yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II, offering style and refinement for a maximum guest list of 112 guests with a crew of 95!

Fully inclusive, passengers enjoy pampering by a polished crew, dine on locally inspired gastronomy served on deck or in an elegant dining salon; my friend who enjoyed an excursion, mentioned he dined al fresco the entire Journey! Also included-in-the-rate is wine, Champagne, and cocktails. Cheers!

Slow down, savor a slower pace and let the surf be your soundtrack.

Onboard attire suggestion, summer elegant casual. One of the most exciting extras that appeals to me is an option to sleep under a canopy of stars on a deck in a Balinese Dream Bed. Slumber Under the Stars, with full service, count me in!

Balinese Dream Bed

SeaDream cruises include these enticing areas: spring in the Caribbean, and summer in the Mediterranean and Baltic. One advantage of this style of cruising, the yachts are not massive sea ships who can only dock at major ports with other immense ships. These programs incorporate small, hidden-ports and crew-led activities, all included in the pricing. No gratuity expected, fully inclusive is fully inclusive!

My itinerary…when you read of my 70-day Journeys, this is how it originates and flourishes… I consulted with my amazing yacht broker to select my summer Yacht destination. A week of cruising includes a spin of the globe, if I’m here, where can else can I explore? Start in Dubrovnik translates to arrive several days early check into the best five-star hotel, Villa Dubrovnik, where our clients stay, explore with our guides and then board SeaDream.

My first port is near Montenegro, of course I will enjoy a day at One & Only Montenegro, a favorite brand in our repertoire – this is work, after all! 

An overnight crossing to the boot of Italy, docking in Otranto. I’ve visited the enchanting hill towns along this attractive coast. Lecce is 25 mins. away, car & driver to the luxurious five star La Fiermontina for lunch in their curated gardens. The owners also have a glammy apartment in Paris, on my list and a new Ocean property on the coast of Morocco, just north of Casablanca…do you see a pattern here? One week yacht adventure expands to discover remarkable properties.

Amalfi coast will be overrun with summer travelers, a private speed 38-foot sea craft to cruise to visit the Queen of Capri, the Blue Grotto and a divine lunch at a private beach club, my day ticket with our enchanting Italian team.

Another Capri day trip to the oh so very new Hotel La Palma, an Oetker Collection addition to their already loaded five-star roster!  Located mere steps from the famous Piazzetta, Hotel La Palma will offer a rooftop restaurant and bar, its own beach club, a pool deck,. Excited about the sneak peek!

Taormina, a trifecta excursion – Belmond has two luxurious hotels, clients love Grand Hotel Timeo, the first grand hotel to open in Taormina, celebrating its 150 year birthday!  And its sister property on the beach Villa Sant’ Andrea. At Grand Timeo, our favorite suites have terraces that overlook Mt Etna. Our clients flock to both iconic properties for the fabled Belmond luxury experiences. Sicilian Bliss on a romantic shoreline.

Late afternoon visit to the White Lotus film spot, the San Domenico Palace, Taormina, Four Seasons. A fourteenth century convent perched atop a rocky height for lunch and back on board SeaDream …#itswork

The Eternal city is my final port- I love to visit my friends at Hotel Eden & Hotel de Russie for a few nights. What is better than a personal Grazie for the recent VIP care of our Clients? La dolce vita!

Oh, add on Paris, perque no? Dear Christophe, whose real title is Le Meurice Deputy General Manager, but to me, he is the infamous Paris Black Book advisor, will always find a petite suite for me, do you recall my photos of the Madame Pompadour suite?  Several thousand feet of comfort to rest from my excursions! Once my clients see the photos, emails rain in, can we stay in that suite next visit? Oui!  Sadly, August restaurant closings means no Bistro Benoit or Jean Imbert at Plaza Athenee.

Yachting, not Cruising, Sea diary in summer! Or how to design a weeks Travel in Two Weeks!