The Jewel of Positano
Le Sirenuse
Le Sirenuse is one of the world’s most iconic hotels, with a rich history to match. The Sersale family, escaping the turmoil of WWII in Naples, transformed their summer getaway, Villa Giulietta, into a haven now known as Le Sirenuse. They keenly recognized the uptick in tourism, tapping into the growing need for high-end lodgings. Fast forward seventy years, the hotel remains a family business, its growth from a twelve-room villa into a world-class property is nothing short of remarkable. The influence of the founders - Aldo, Anna, Paolo, and Franco – still resonates throughout the hotel. Today, Franco's son, Antonio Sersale, along with his wife Carla, continue to run the property, with their two sons Aldo and Francesco ready to continue the family legacy.
Though still boutique in scale with merely fifty-eight rooms, Le Sirenuse commands the most sought-after cliffside location in Positano. This luxurious sanctuary offers direct access to the town's vibrant life with the beach just a steep stairway away via Via Dei Mulini. Cloaked in its signature Roman red with white accents, Le Sirenuse nestles like a crown jewel amidst the pastel-toned village houses, the iconic dome of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, and the expansive Mediterranean Sea beyond.
Le Sirenuse's interiors brim with intriguing family collectibles, tokens of numerous global voyages. Franco Sersale breathed new life into the hotel in the nineties, merging carefully chosen antiques, artworks, and trinkets from Naples with the original Moorish design. Additionally, the hotel has commissioned contemporary artists as part of their Artists at Le Sirenuse series to produce site-specific installations, contributing to its distinctive flair.
Each of the hotel’s fifty-eight rooms presents a unique charm—an oasis of individuality with soaring, white ceilings, they radiate an air of quiet elegance. Adorned with vibrant Vietri tiles, ornate mirrors and antique furnishings. The terrace for two in our Deluxe Sea View Room also provided the most remarkable of views you can imagine. The bathroom, though compact, houses a generously-sized tub, and is decorated with white tiles, marble, and polished chrome.
La Sponda, the hotel's restaurant, as aged as the hotel itself, sets the scene for a romantic dining experience. Bathed in candlelight, adorned with flowering bougainvillea, and serenaded with live music, it's a sensory delight. The alfresco dining option offers a sweeping view of sun-kissed Positano, while seasoned musicians stir the air with melodies of traditional Neapolitan tunes.
Le Sirenuse boasts three exceptional bars: Franco’s, Aldo’s, and the Don't Worry Bar. Overlooking the sea, Franco's Bar is the ideal spot for an evening drink in Positano. With its street-side location, you can expect classic beverages and bespoke cocktails on the menu. The idea for Aldo's Bar came to Sersale and his wife during a Parisian vacation. Beginning as a romantic bar concept, it has since evolved into Aldo's Cocktail Bar and Seafood Grill. Its decor sports a vine-draped patio and outdoor wicker chairs crafted by renowned architect Lorenzo Mongiardino. The Don't Worry Bar, named after an installation by British artist Martin Creed at the entrance, underwent a makeover by interior designer Annalisa Bellettati in 2020. Positioned next to the restaurant, it serves as a perfect spot for pre or post-dinner drinks.
The wellness offerings at Le Sirenuse are not to be missed. Its stunning pool, Instagram-famous and spacious by Positano standards, sits on a beautiful terrace filled with fragrant geraniums and lemon trees. The poolside bar, a quaint spot for a limoncello spritz, adds charm to this relaxing space, which also serves as one of the world's best breakfast locations.
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In addition, Le Sirenuse features a compact gym and a spa designed by Italian architect Gae Aulenti. It includes a sauna, a granite steam bath, and an ice room—an inviting space with a ground ice cascade lit by backlit crystal onyx walls. The hotel also hosts a bi-annual health and fitness retreat, Dolce Vitality – perfect for a luxury getaway that incorporates wellness. For those eager to explore or stay active, the hotel offers unique experiences such as guided walks in the hills, limoncello factory tours, and local fish market visits with the chef. The Concierge Team's vast knowledge of the Amalfi Coast is unparalleled.
The service at Le Sirenuse is both gracious and warm, attentive yet not invasive, and impeccably delivered with an old-school Italian charm. It is indeed one of the few luxury hotels I would describe as genuinely iconic and an absolute must-visit for anyone desiring to experience the best of Positano. Le Sirenuse surpassed my high expectations in every way, and with Antonio Sersale at the helm, the future of this remarkable hotel is surely bright. Words and pictures barely capture its grandeur.
