You know that feeling when you step off a ferry and the heat hits your face, but somehow the air smells like lemons and expensive sunscreen? That is Capri. But if you’ve actually spent time on the island, you know there is a massive, almost aggressive divide between the glittery, crowded chaos of Capri town and the quiet, elevated chill of Anacapri. High up on the slopes of Mount Solaro sits the Capri Palace Jumeirah, and honestly, it isn't just another five-star hotel. It is more like a high-end art gallery that happens to have some of the best pasta in Italy and a medical spa that treats your legs like they belong to a Thoroughbred.
Most people think of Capri and picture the Piazzetta—designer shopping, tourists elbowing each other for a photo, and overpriced Spritzes. Anacapri is different. It’s slower. The Capri Palace captures that. It doesn't scream for your attention with gold-plated everything. Instead, it leans into this "Capritude" vibe, which is basically a mix of white-washed walls, vaulted ceilings, and more contemporary art than some actual museums in Rome.
The Art of Staying in Anacapri
Walking into the lobby feels weirdly like walking into a collector's private home. You've got works by De Chirico and Keith Haring just hanging out. There's a giant Casorati. The owner, Tonino Cacace, basically turned his family’s hotel into a tribute to 20th-century art. It’s not stuffy, though. It’s just... there. You’re walking to breakfast and you pass a sculpture that probably costs more than your house.
The rooms follow suit. They aren't generic. If you book the Paltrow Presidential Suite, you’re getting a private pool and a massive terrace, all styled with a sort of mid-century cinematic glamour. But even the standard rooms feel intentional. They use that classic Mediterranean blue and white palette that makes the sunlight look better than it actually is. It’s a vibe.
Why the Location Matters (and Why It Might Annoy You)
Let's be real: Anacapri is a trek. If you want to be in the middle of the nightlife and stumble home from a club at 3 AM, the Capri Palace Hotel Capri is going to frustrate you. You have to take the bus or a taxi up those terrifyingly narrow cliffside roads. The "Mamma Mia" road is famous for a reason—it’s a nail-biter.
But that's the point.
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When the day-trippers leave the island around 5 PM, Anacapri becomes silent. You get the sunset. You get the local shops where people actually live and work. You're right next to the chairlift to Mount Solaro. You can walk to Villa San Michele. It’s the "insider" version of the island.
L'Olivo and the Art of the Michelin Star
If you’re a foodie, you probably already know about L’Olivo. It’s the only restaurant on the island with two Michelin stars. Chef Andrea Migliaccio is a local—he’s from Ischia—so he actually knows how to handle Mediterranean seafood without overcomplicating it.
The space is ridiculous. Think cashmere sofas and Murano glass. It’s fancy, yeah, but the food is the focus. They do this lemon-scented risotto with red prawns that will make you question why you ever eat anywhere else. And the wine cellar? It’s called La Dolce Vite. Thousands of bottles. They do tastings there that feel like a secret society meeting.
Then there’s Il Riccio.
This is the hotel’s beach club, but it’s not at the hotel. You have to take a shuttle down to the Blue Grotto area. It’s built right into the rock. It has one Michelin star and arguably the most famous dessert room in the world. Seriously, it’s a blue-tiled room filled with every Italian pastry, tart, and candy you can imagine. You just walk in and take what you want. It’s dangerous.
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The Leg School: Not Your Average Spa
We need to talk about the Capri Medical Spa. Specifically, the "Leg School." This sounds like a gimmick, but it’s actually a world-renowned medical treatment developed by Professor Francesco Canonaco.
People fly from all over the world for this.
Basically, you spend your holiday walking through cold and hot mud paths, getting medicated bandages wrapped around your legs, and doing specialized hydrotherapy. It’s designed to improve lymphatic drainage and venous circulation. If you spend your life in heels or sitting at a desk, this is basically a factory reset for your lower body. It’s not just a massage; it’s a clinical process that actually works.
Does it live up to the hype?
Honestly, most luxury hotels are just nice buildings with good service. The Capri Palace is a bit more than that because it has a distinct personality. It feels curated. You aren't just a room number; you're a guest in a space that genuinely cares about aesthetics and wellness.
The service is "Jumeirah" level, which means they anticipate what you want before you even know you want it. Need a boat to Positano? Done. Want a specific vintage of wine? They'll find it. But it's the small things—the smell of the custom perfumes from the hotel's own boutique (Mariorita) or the way the light hits the white stone in the afternoon—that stick with you.
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The Practical Reality of Booking
Look, this isn't a budget stay. You’re looking at significant rates, especially in July and August. If you want the experience without the absolute peak prices, try late May or September. The weather is still gorgeous, the water is warm enough to swim in, and you won't be fighting for a spot at Il Riccio.
- Transport: Use the hotel’s private shuttle. Don't try to navigate the island with a bunch of luggage on the public bus unless you want a very stressful start to your vacation.
- Dining: Book L’Olivo weeks in advance. Seriously. Even if you're staying at the hotel, it fills up with people coming from all over the Amalfi Coast.
- The Blue Grotto: It’s right next to Il Riccio. If you want to see it, go early in the morning before the crowds from the mainland arrive. The hotel can arrange a private boat, which is 100% worth the extra cost to avoid the chaos.
Navigating the Myths
There’s a common misconception that Capri is "over." That it's too touristy and lost its soul. That is only true if you stay near the harbor. When you’re sitting on the terrace at the Capri Palace Hotel Capri, watching the sun dip below the horizon with a glass of Greco di Tufo in your hand, it feels as magical as it did in the 1950s.
The hotel manages to stay relevant by not trying too hard to be trendy. It doesn't need "Instagrammable" walls because the whole place is a work of art. It relies on old-school European hospitality mixed with very modern medical science.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
- Pack light but sharp: The vibe in Anacapri is "quiet luxury." Think linen, high-quality leather sandals, and oversized sunglasses. You don't need sequins; you need style.
- Do the Leg School: Even if you only do a couple of sessions, your legs will feel five pounds lighter. It’s the best thing you can do for yourself after a long-haul flight.
- Explore the trails: Most people stay in the towns. Take the path from the hotel toward the Philosophical Park. It’s quiet, the views are insane, and it costs nothing.
- Visit the shop: The hotel's boutique, Mariorita, isn't your typical gift shop. They carry custom-made Capri sandals and exclusive fashion pieces you won't find in the mainland malls.
The real luxury of this place isn't the thread count of the sheets. It’s the silence. In a world that is constantly screaming for your attention, a few days in the heights of Anacapri is the ultimate reset. You aren't just visiting an island; you're stepping into a very specific, very beautiful way of life that the Cacace family has spent decades perfecting.
To get the most out of a stay, aim for a minimum of three nights. Anything less and you're rushing the experience. Spend day one on the art and the spa. Day two on the water and the Blue Grotto. Day three just wandering Anacapri and eating your weight in pasta at L’Olivo. That is how you do Capri properly.