Italian Luxury

The Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel and Spa

By McKenna Mears | Photography courtesy of Monastero Santa Rosa

Since setting my sights on the Amalfi Coast of Italy in photos, it has been my dream travel destination. The allure of winding roads, breathtaking views, and charming seaside villages filled my imagination, driving my desire to experience this coastal gem firsthand. A recent trip to this enchanting region at the Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel and Spa allowed me to check this destination off my bucket list, only to add it right back as a must-do again.

Sitting atop a cliff overlooking the waters of Salerno Bay in Conca dei Marini lies the Monastero Santa Rosa, a former seventeenth-century monastery reborn as a luxurious boutique hotel. Originally conceived by Sister Rosa Pandolfi in 1681, the monastery served as a sanctuary for the “sacred virgins,” Sister Rosa’s noble lineage and philanthropic spirit guided its construction adjacent to the church of Santa Maria di Grado. Over the years, the nuns significantly contributed to the local community, from funding vital infrastructure to crafting remedies from their garden’s herbs.

Despite enduring the upheavals of time and legal changes, including conversion to municipal property in the late 1800s, the monastery retained its historic significance. In 1924, a Roman hotelier, Mr. Marcucci, recognized the site’s potential and transformed it into the esteemed Hotel Santa Rosa. For decades, it stood as a beacon of hospitality and tradition until Bianca Sharma, inspired by its majestic ruins, embarked on a decade-long journey to restore the monastery to its former glory.

Today, Monastero Santa Rosa is a testament to Bianca’s dedication and the enduring spirit of Conca dei Marini village. Since its reopening in 2012, guests from around the world can immerse themselves in the monastery’s rich history and unparalleled beauty.

As my best friend and I ascended the winding roads I had long envisioned, each turn heading toward the property seemed to unveil an even more spectacular view. Upon arriving at Monastero Santa Rosa, we were welcomed with refreshing lemon water made from their own gardens (my newfound happy place!) and scented rosemary towels from their wheel—a unique communication method the nuns used to connect with the outside world.

A tour of the grounds wrapped up as we reached our room, passing by original monastery pieces and furnishings in the hallways. Despite having just twenty guest rooms, the place seemed to stretch endlessly, offering stunning views at every turn.

Our room, named “Mentha” (Italian for mint), was among the twenty rooms and suites on the property, each without traditional room numbers out of respect for the former nuns who once occupied them. The Mentha suite treated us to views from the living room, bathroom, and bedroom, each with its own large window overlooking the sparkling blue waters of the bay and the charming town of Amalfi. Throughout our stay, we reveled in the open windows, enjoying the bottle of sparkling rosé we were greeted with, along with delightful treats like Sfogliatella, which seemed to appear in our room like magic each time we opened the door.

Our first day at the hotel began with a leisurely stroll through the tranquil gardens, leading us down to the pool. With over a thousand different plants and flowers, the gardens felt like a magical oasis. We found ourselves drawn to the cozy daybeds and chairs scattered around, the perfect invitation to relax with a good book—which we later did.

The infinity swimming pool, offering bay views that seemed to stretch endlessly across the horizon, provided the perfect backdrop for unwinding with an Aperol spritz and a freshly baked pizza, delivered by the attentive staff who anticipated our every desire. With soft music playing in the background and the warm sun caressing our skin, I felt a sense of pure bliss and relaxation like never before.

As a complimentary treat, Monastero Santa Rosa offers tea and small bites under a canopy of lush plants with a view overlooking the water, creating the perfect setting for Santa Rosa tea, herbal tea, and biscuit time. The atmosphere was incredibly welcoming, with the invitation extended to enjoy it “even in your bathrobe or straight from the Spa or pool!” The staff were exceptionally friendly, guiding us through each treat and drink. We enjoyed refreshing mint tea made with mint plucked from their garden (and we came straight from the pool!).

A stay at Monastero Santa Rosa is incomplete without a visit to the spa. The Spa Suite is an expansive double-height vaulted space featuring a Rasul, steam room, double wet and dry treatment couches, manicure stations, a relaxation lounge, a private dressing and grooming area, and a serene garden terrace—a true “private spa within a spa.” Guests can also enjoy a spa experience outdoors under the shade of a pergola within the Treatment Garden. Our visit left us in awe as we admired the meticulously preserved original seventeenth-century vaulted ceilings and walls, which beautifully uphold the monastic heritage of this property. I still find myself longing for their steam room and the blissful combination of hot tea and a foot bath afterward.

For dinner, we had the pleasure of dining at Il Refettorio, a Michelin-starred restaurant on the property. The kitchen is as unique as the monastery, offering a well-curated blend of traditional and contemporary Campanian cuisine infused with inspiration from the hotel’s monastic roots.

The staff expertly recommended wine pairings for each course, guiding us through a delightful selection of Italian wines. We kicked off our culinary journey with a table full of bread and unique bites. For my gli antipasti, I savored the Il Crudo a Mano Libera—thinly sliced raw fish of the day served with lemon and wild-herb mayonnaise, seasonal fruit, white wine osmosis, Amalfi dressing, and granita spritz. To say it was a burst of flavors is an understatement!

Next up was my primi piatti—a risotto whisked with Chef Alfonso Crescenzo’s Terre Lavorate tomatoes, accompanied by cuttlefish carpaccio, basil, Sorrento orange zest, and surprisingly, gold flakes on top. My second course featured the Blue Lobster served with sautéed spinach, almond puree, and puffed pork rind—an exquisite combination of flavors and textures. For dessert, I ordered the Le fragole and Champagne, a champagne parfait paired with strawberry cream, buttermilk, and rosemary ice cream. It tasted even better than it looked, a true dream on the palate!

To top off the evening, we were treated to an array of delightful dessert bites, each full of unique flavors—from truffle and pistachio to raspberry and lemon. To cap it all off, the bartender crafted a dessert cocktail for me called the Delizia Amalfitana, featuring vodka, limoncello, lemon essence, white cream of cacao, and milk cream. He ensured it was tailored to my liking—a perfect end to an incredible dining experience.

During our stay, we couldn’t resist the urge to explore the charming town of Amalfi, its magnetic charm visible from our windows. With a private car service at our disposal courtesy of the hotel, we set out to discover the treasures of this enchanting coastal town. Amalfi welcomed us with its bustling streets, a stark departure from the serene, almost ethereal ambience of Monastero Santa Rosa. We tried local delicacies at quaint trattorias and cafés, chatted it up with the friendly folks around, and soaked in the beautiful views before returning to our hotel.

With a bittersweet feeling, I couldn’t help but acknowledge that when our visit came to a close, memories of the Amalfi Coast and Monastero Santa Rosa would be cherished forever. As I bid farewell to the staff who had become friends and the landscapes that had become my sanctuary, I knew a piece of my heart would forever remain within the hallowed halls of the Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel. In its tranquil gardens and elegant corridors, I discovered a place of luxury and tranquility unlike any other, where history and hospitality converged to create an unforgettable experience that would stay with me long after I returned home.

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To learn more or to book your stay at Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa, visit MonasteroSantaRosa.com or follow @monasterosantarosa on Instagram.