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| Jaw-dropping luxury. |
Between Positano and Amalfi, perched on the edge of a cliff between sky and sea, sits the majestic Monastero Santa Rosa, a 17th century monastery transformed into one of Gulf of Salerno’s 21st century most exclusive hotels. If you can tear yourself away from the staggering beauty of the view, you’ll find yourself in terraced gardens that culminates in an infinity-edged pool with yet another panoramic view of the sea. With just 20 rooms, the hotel nonetheless houses a complete spa with treatment rooms, sauna, steamroom, a hydro pool and ‘experience shower as well as a tepidarium. The hotel just opened for its 5th season on April 14th and will welcome guests until November.
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| Sfogliatelle Santa Rosa, invented here and still on the menu! |
Monastero Santa Rosa was indeed a monastery. Built in the late 17thcentury, it was brought to life by a descendent of a local noble family, Sister Rosa Pandolfi. It was she who renovated the chapel and built the monastery as a convent which opened in 1681. The sisters of Santa Rosa contributed much to the local community. But they are best remembered for their exquisitely baked desserts. Their sfogliatelle became known as a “Santa Rosa”. Sfogliatelle are a shell-shaped cream-filled pastry means ‘small, thin leaf or layer’ because the pastry’s texture looks like a stack of leaves. Guests at the hotel’s Ristorante del Refettorio will find Sfogliatelle Santa Rosa with Almond Ricotta and Cherry Sorbet.
