The Carneros Resort and Spa

Having lived in San Francisco for 8 years now, we take many short trips to Napa and Sonoma. We have stayed at many beautiful hotels in the respective counties but a clear favorite of ours is the Carneros Resort.

View from the Hilltop pool

This beautiful property is located in the heart of Napa Valley and is easily accessible by car from San Francisco. It’s a short drive to downtown Napa and Yountville where you can find many restaurants and tasting rooms. To find out more about those venues, you can read the Napa guide here.

The serene and classy resort includes 17 cottage “neighborhoods” within a 28-acre plot of land. Those boroughs have charming names such as “Quince,” “Sage,” and “Poppy” to name a few representing the vegetation or flowers common to the area. The neighborhoods each have their own parking area, making it convenient to explore Napa.

  The Lobby and Checking-in:

Upon entering the resort, you will notice a beautiful entrance to the lobby reception. The large fireplace by the entrance of the lobby is so beautiful and inviting. The lobby itself is very welcoming and decorated so beautifully. The check-in process is quick and friendly; and it certainly does not hurt to receive a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir as a welcome drink.

Hotel Reception

Once you receive the room keys, you will have to drive your car to the parking area near your assigned cottage.

Near the lobby and the main entrance, you can find the town square, the nerve-center of the resort. Aside from the main restaurant, Farm, being situated here, you can relax and enjoy a glass of wine at the Pavilion, shop at the Market, or play a round of Bocce Ball.

Townsquare

Rooms:

Carneros offers beautiful private cottages distributed throughout the entire property. Each cottage has it’s own indoor and outdoor space, which makes it quite lovely particularly for the warmer months.

We stayed at the Harvest Cottage, which has a larger outdoor space compare to some of the other rooms. Regardless, each cottage comes equipped with an outdoor shower, a large bath tub, chaise lounges and a fire place outside.

There’s also seating available with a giant umbrella in the outdoor space so you choose to enjoy some wine or order in-room dining. If you plan to visit the resort during the cooler months, you can still enjoy the outdoor space as there are heated lamps outside.

The room itself is spacious and comes with a large fire place and a floor-to-ceiling glass door that fully opens to the outdoor area. It also has a sizable bathroom with an indoor shower that opens to an outdoor space. Also, one of the best features of the bathroom are the heated floors.

The cottages offer an in-room wine dispenser where you can enjoy local Napa Valley wine by Cuvaison at your convenience. I personally haven’t seen this feature at other Napa Valley hotels.

Pools:

There are two swimming pools (with separate jacuzzi’s) offered by the resort, one adult pool and a family pool. The Hilltop pool is nestled at the north-end of the property and offers an incredible view of the Napa countryside; a pool that is likely to be second-to-none in the county! You can reserve one of the cabanas or enjoy one of the plentiful beds alongside the pool.Hilltop Pool

Dining:

  • Farm:

One of the best restaurants in Napa valley hands down! The freshest ingredients sourced from their very own garden brings a richness in flavor and seasonal element to all of their delicious menu items.  We have celebrated so many beautiful occasions at this wonderful restaurant and we cannot recommend it enough.

Burrata and beet salad (Farm)

For some casual bites and drinks, be sure to check out the Pavilion located adjacent to the Farm. You can find some of the food items offered by the Farm here as well. Sit and relax as you enjoy some wine and some live music while celebrating life!

  •   Hilltop Dining room

Exclusive to hotels guests only, Hilltop dining room is situated by the Hilltop pool and is a great place for breakfast or lunch.

  • Boon fly cafe:

For some casual bites or snacks, be sure to check out Boon Fly Cafe. It has a more relaxed vibe and is a perfect place to get some comfort food.

  • Market:

If you need to stock up on some wine, fresh cheese and charcuterie or simply looking to get some hand-crafted souvenirs, Market has it all.  You can pack a few of your favorite (or convenience) items and pack it for to go before you head out to some of your favorite wineries or sightseeing.

Activities:

Aside from the lovely pool and hot-tubs, Carneros offers a 3,000 square feet fitness center with daily classes such as Yoga, Bootcamp or Meditation. Classes are instructed by Donavan’s Wellness Solutions and are complimentary for resort guests. You can checkout the daily schedule here.

The resort also offers complimentary bicycles, which allows you to explore the vast property or the countryside.  As for the “other” activities such as visiting some of the incredible wineries nearby, riding a hot air balloon or horse back riding be sure to ask the hotel’s concierge. Have fun planning!

Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel

As a resident of SoCal for 11 plus years I’ve rarely had an opportunity to make Los Angeles a vacation destination. But since I moved up to San Francisco, making LA a holiday location seemed like a perfect idea.

In a recent trip, I had the fortune of staying at the iconic Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, located in Beverly Hills. It has a long (nearly 100 years) and distinguished history with Hollywood culture, and for good reason. This beautiful resort may be most famous for the movie “Pretty Woman” but it is far from its only such claim. The Sex & The City: The Movie and Valentine’s Day movies also featured the hotel. Further, many celebrities have called this hotel home throughout the years.

The Beverly Wilshire is located at the foot of the legendary Rodeo Drive, steps away from the best retail therapy in the world. (West) Hollywood, Santa Monica, Century City, Koreatown and beyond are “just around the corner”, making it the ideal home base for any LA vacation. It is also home to Wolfgang Puck’s first CUT restaurant, which continues to merit a Michelin star among many other accolades for its cuisine and dining experience. And other top restaurants are only a few blocks away along Canon and Beverly Drives.

PRO TIP: Since COVID, many boutiques on Rodeo Drive require an appointment to visit. Call your favorite stores directly or ask the Concierge to make all the arrangements for you. I personally had some trouble connecting with one of the stores so it was very helpful to be able to lean on the hotel staff.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still persistent, it’s also important to highlight that not all hotels have the same standard for safety.  True to what you’d expect from a Four Seasons hotel, the Beverly Wilshire took safety measures to the highest level. All entry (and reentry) into the hotel requires a quick temperature check along with screening questions. Hand sanitizer are installed strategically all around the hotel; and they even have self-cleansing elevator buttons! Upon entry into the room, you’ll notice a pre-packaged set of masks, hand-sanitizing gels and wipes to be used during the stay; and they are replaced daily.

Upon checking in, Sam, the evening manager, gave us a short tour of the hotel and then walked us to our room; and each time we interacted with the hotel staff thereafter (especially Sam) we were greeted by our names. This sort of personal touch and attention to the detail was a consistent theme throughout our stay. The room was stunning, as expected, with plenty of space along with an expansive balcony area to take in the L.A. skyline. Nothing but the best with this hotel.

THE ROOMS:

All rooms are large and spacious with some offering a large balcony and a lovely view. The Governor’s suite, located on the 14th floor, offers two large bedrooms and three bathrooms. Further, the balcony space offers a near panoramic view of Los Angeles, including direct line of sight of Rodeo Drive, Hollywood Hills and the Sign.

Master bedroom inside of Governor's suit

The humongous living room includes a large dining table with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that open to the big terrace area.

THE POOL:

The elegant pool has a fountain situated near the top, which is flanked by daybeds reminiscent of a Moroccan-style hammam. Lounge chairs with umbrellas also surround the pool (nicely spaced for safety) so everyone can soak in the sun. Cabanas line the back-side of the pool area, equipped with TVs, tables and curtains for privacy. Menus for food or drink orders may be pulled up using QR codes and orders can be placed with the staff, the courtesy phone or the Four Seasons app.

We placed our order through the staff, and the service was exceptional.  My favorite item on the menu is the Peruvian steak sandwich, which was juicy and flavorful; and the Green Goddess juice is the nice complement to the warm California sun.

Peruvian Steak Sandwich with Fries

Please note that the Spa and gym were closed during our stay. With that said, select gym equipment including a Peloton bike was available for use outdoor by the pool area.

Our stay at the Beverly Wilshire was so phenomenal that we decided to extend our stay of 4 nights on a whim.  We ended up staying for 8 total nights with no regrets except the departure. This was our first time at the Beverly Wilshire but it certainly will not be the last!

Parmesan Crisps Bruschetta

Bruschetta is one of my all time favorite appetizers! It is a perfect side dish for summer when all tomatoes are ripe and delicious.

WHAT IS BRUSCHETTA?

Bruschetta (pronounced as Bru-Sketta) is an Italian appetizer or antipasto. While bruschetta is often associated with the diced tomato, herbs and seasonings atop the toast, the word bruschetta actually refers to the preparation of the bread, which should be rubbed with garlic and toasted.

PARMESAN CRISP BRUSCHETTA:

Although the bread is the most important part of bruschetta, it’s not always an option for those with a gluten allergy. Thus, I created a gluten free bruschetta recipe using home-made parmesan crisps (and it happens to be keto-friendly as well). It only takes 5 minutes to make them and they are cheaper and more delicious than the store-bought packages. It just takes a whole parmesan and a grater. More to come below on this step.

THE TOPPINGS:

It’s not a surprise that diced tomatoes are the most common ingredient used over the bruschetta as it perfectly complements the existing elements. There are plenty of recipes online recommending the use of balsamic vinaigrette for the bruschetta but the traditional Italian recipe calls for a drizzle of red wine vinegar so it doesn’t over power the tomatoes. With that said, when tomatoes are in peak season, I prefer to leave the vinaigrette out altogether. It’s critical to select ripe tomatoes for the flavor as well as the techniques described below.

My first recommendation is to de-seed the tomatoes. I have found that by de-seeding it reduces the water content so it’ll sit better over the bruschetta without creating a soggy mess. Further, I take the skin off as well for a velvety texture with better health benefits. It will also be much easier to de-skin ripe tomatoes.

Deseeded tomatoes
Deseeded tomatoes

To avoid being wasteful, I place a small strainer over a cup and, with a spoon, scoop the seeds (and the gelatinous center) to throw into said strainer. I then squeeze the seeds to get all the juice back into the cup. You can use this fresh tomato juice in any tomato-based soup or simply freeze for future use. I prefer to drink it on the spot while it’s fresh, adding a pinch of salt!

SHOULD BRUSCHETTA BE SERVED WARM OR COLD?

This appetizer is best served on a freshly toasted bread while the tomato topping is at the room temperature. You can toast or grill the bread for an extra crunch and top it off with fresh tomato and basil.

CAN YOU MAKE BRUSCHETTA IN ADVANCE?

Yes! It will be much easier to prep everything in advance specially if you are hosting for a larger party. Be sure to take the tomato mix out of the fridge and allow it to get to room temperature before placing it on the bread.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 20-25 ripe cherry tomatoes or 6-7 ripe beefsteak tomatoes, diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar

  • 6-8 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

  • Salt and pepper to taste

FOR SERVING:

1/2 cup of fresh Parmesan cheese, grated

HOW TO MAKE THE PARMESAN CRISPS:

Preheat oven to 400°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper . Spoon cheese into circles while patting down the cheese. leave about 2-3 inches between each mound as they expand through heating. Bake for about 3-5 minutes or until golden brown. Make sure that the cheese is completely cooled off before you remove it from the parchment paper or it can break apart.

HOW TO MAKE BRUSCHETTA:

Combine the tomatoes, chopped garlic, vinegar, olive oil, basil in a small bowl. Sprinkle with some salt and pepper. Scoop the Tomato mixture over each Parmesan crisp and serve immediately.

Zuchini Lasagna Rolls

Zucchinis are one of my most favorite vegetables. They are low carb, tasty and nutritious. I love adding them into my frittatas but one of my favorite zucchini dishes is lasagna roll ups!

This is a great recipe as it’s filling but not too heavy. It’s gluten free, keto friendly and a perfect healthy dish for the summer. You can also create a vegetarian recipe by omitting the meat and using the marinara sauce by itself.

Ingredients:

4-5 medium zucchini sliced lengthwise into 1/8 inch thick strips

1/2 lbs ground beef

1/2 medium sized onion (chopped)

2 cloves of garlic (minced)

1 1/2 cup marinara sauce, divided

1 cup shredded mozzarella

3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan

Directions:

Slice the zucchinis using a mandolin to 1/8 inch strips. (The thinner, the better they roll). Lay zucchini stripes flat and sprinkle each side with some salt. Rest for 15 minutes. Then pat dry with a paper towel. This will help getting the excess water from the zucchinis out so it doesn’t water down your dish later on.

Marinara sauce
Marinara sauce

in a large skillet, heat some vegetable oil. Add the chopped onions to it and cook for 3-4 minutes. Lower the heat and add the garlics and continue stirring until you can smell the garlic aroma. Add the beef and cook for 10 minutes and until browned. Add 1 cup of marinara sauce to the pan, place the lid on and cook on medium heat until the sauce gets thicker. (You can adjust the sauce by adding 1-2 TBS of tomato paste and water to it) Season with salt and pepper.

Preheat oven to 400°F (200 °C). Spread the marinara sauce onto the bottom of a 1 inch oven-proof dish or use the same skillet.

Rolled Zucchinis before they are placed int he oven
Rolled Zucchinis before they are placed int he oven

Sprinkle each slice of zucchini with some fresh mozzarella and parmesan. Roll up, then place in the prepared skillet; repeat with remaining zucchini slices. Top with remaining 1/2 cup marinara sauce and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.

Place into oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until lasagna rolls are heated through and the cheese is beginning to brown.

Serve immediately!

Cheese and Mushrooms Crustless Quiche

I love savory breakfast dishes so I tend to make lots of Frittatas, Omelets and quiches! This cheese and mushroom quiche is one of my all times favorite. It’s so filling and there are so may variations you can introduce to the recipe and create your own!

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN QUICHE, FRITTATA AND OMELET:

In short, a frittata is like an unfolded omelet or a crustless quiche but there are still more differences. Frittatas and omelets are both made without any crust but what differentiates an omelet from a frittata is that an omelet is usually made to serve one, while frittata is made to serve one or many. In making frittatas, you mix the fillings along with the beaten eggs where in making an omelet, you will add the fillings over the eggs once the egg is about to set. You will then fold them in half.

In making frittatas adding milk or cream is crucial while omelets do not contain any milk. Quiches on the other hand are more dairy base. The crust can hold on to the dairy quite well and so the cream to egg ratio is about 2:1. Quiches are made entirely in the oven where omelets are made on the stove top and frittatas are made on the stove top but finished in the oven.

CREATIVE FRITTATA COMBINATIONS:

Spinach, artichoke and feta cheese

Zucchini, squash, dill and cheddar

Asparagus, shallots, chives, ricotta and swiss cheese

Mushrooms, arugula and goat cheese

Broccoli, cheddar and chives

Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and basil

CAN YOU REHEAT THIS CRUSTLESS QUICHE?

Yes, you can! While you can absolutely enjoy this dish when it’s at room temperature, you can also heat it up in the toaster oven, pan (low heat) or even microwave. I am personally not a huge fan of microwaving food so I prefer the first two options. (Tip: Make sure to not overheat the dish as the eggs can lose their water content and become rubbery)

INGREDIENTS:

4 large eggs

1 small onion (diced)

2 cloves of garlic (minced)

8 oz. sliced mushrooms

1/2 lbs bunch of fresh spinach

1 cup of milk

1/4 mozzarella (grated)

1/4 cup Feta cheese

1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (grated)

5-6 halved sun dried tomatoes

Salt and pepper to taste

Chopped walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

In a large pan, sauté the onions for about 5 minutes until they are translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional 2 minutes or until you can smell the aroma of garlic. Add in the sliced mushrooms and the spinach.Cook until they become soft and the moisture is evaporated entirely. ( This is quite important as excess water can soggy up your dish)

Preheat the oven to 350 F. In a medium sized bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, feta and half of the parmigiano-reggiano (you can add the walnuts in this step for more texture).

Coat a 9-inch pie dish with some olive oil. Gently, add the sautéed onion, garlic, mushrooms and spinach to the egg batter. Season with Salt and pepper.

Top with Shredded Mozzarella, the reminder of the parmiginao and halved sun-dried tomatoes.

place the dish into the oven and bake for 45-55 minute or until the top is golden brown. Enjoy!

Healthy Delicious Banana Bread

Craving for something sweet? This gluten free banana bread recipe is all that you need . It has all the simple ingredients that your body loves and it’s easy to make.

Sugar Free, Gluten Free Banana Bread
Sugar Free, Gluten Free Banana Bread

 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Oat Flour

1/2 cup Quinoa Flour

1/2 cup Almond Flour

1/2 Tsp Baking Soda

1 TSP Baking Powder

1/2 TSP Salt

4 TBSP Honey

8 TBSP coconut oil

3 Eggs

4 TBSP Almond Milk

3 Ripe Bananas ( 2 mashed and one diced)

1 TSP Ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg

Walnuts Chopped and as much as you like!

Recipe:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9X5 loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside. In a blender or food processor, mix the coconut oil, 2 of the mashed bananas, honey, eggs, almond flour, quinoa flour, oat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg and almond milk until smooth. Add the diced banana and chopped walnuts into the batter and gently mix them in.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smack down the pan a few times on to the counter to break up the air bubbles.

Place in the center of the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes or until the loaf is golden brown and the top is firm to touch. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Once it cooled off completely, you can slice it and enjoy it!

( I have used a larger pan for this recipe which resulted in a thinner banana bread, also, i’ve used the slivered almonds at the bottom of the pan for a better texture and look)

Bacon and Potato Roses

Love Bacon?

Love Potatoes?

How about a fun delicious recipe for bacon and potatoes that not only turn heads but it’s easy to make!

Ingredients: ( for 6 roses)

6 small potatoes

6 strips of bacon

Black pepper to taste

Fresh Thyme ( optional)

( You would need one small potato and one strip of a bacon per flower, however, if you want to make bigger flowers, use a larger potato and two strips of bacon overlapping vertically)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400˚F (200˚C). Using a mandolin, thinly slice your potatoes and set aside. You can, of course, use a knife but a mandolin is much easier and you’ll get a much more consistent cut. Place one strip of a bacon on a flat surface and line the bacon with the sliced potatoes. Make sure each potato is overlapping.

Starting at one end, gently roll up the bacon and potatoes to form a rose. Place the potato flower in a cup cake mold and repeat the steps for the remainder of the potatoes and bacon strips. Bake for 20 minutes then remove from the oven. Cover the dish with foil and place back into the oven for an additional 30 minutes.

Bacon & Potato roses, sautéed vegetables, Spring Salad
Bacon & Potato roses, sautéed vegetables, Spring Salad

Sprinkle with some fresh thyme and serve it with the egg of your choice. I love to serve it with fresh sautéed vegetables on the side! Enjoy!

Fun Easy Summer Desserts

Celebrating Independence Day may not be the same for many of us but that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be fun and delicious. Thus, I would like to share a few ideas on some festive desserts to prep for the 4th of July!

Assortment of cupcakes ( Blueberries, Cherry, Raspberry, Chocolate Hazelnut, Banana and Pecan)
Assortment of cupcakes ( Blueberries, Cherry, Raspberry, Chocolate Hazelnut, Banana and Pecan)

One of my favorite desserts for warm summer days are Popsicles! I have fond memories of enjoying some freshly frozen delights after a day under the blistering sun. The preparation is simple; take fresh juice or smoothies and freeze them! No need for added sugar, coloring or any other additives!

Fresh fruit popsicles and berries
Fresh fruit popsicles and berries

Now that I’m all grown up, I thought I’d try one of my favorite desserts with an adult twist – wine! And it’s oh so delicious. Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind if you’d like to prep your own variation.

Since there is a wide variation of wine characteristics, I’d recommend utilizing a crisp and dry white wine as a base. Wines such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigios pair wonderfully with berries and other summer fruits. Same with many Rosé and sparkling wines! Further, I’d recommend blending the fruit instead of buying juice so you get the texture and aroma without it being overly sweet. I’d suggest berries like strawberry, raspberry, blueberry or a combination therein or other types of stone fruits like peaches or plums.

Popsicle in Sparkling wine ( Raspberry, Peach and Strawberry )
Popsicle in Sparkling wine ( Raspberry, Peach and Strawberry )

You can also vary your approach. For instance, you can make the regular fruit popsicle (fruit only) and dip it into a glass of wine or you can actually make Winesicles – a combination of wine and fruit. Here’s an example of a Winesicle:

Strawberry popsicle
Strawberry popsicle

Grab your favorite bottle of sparkling wine, white or Rosé. Then for every cup of wine, mix in a cup of fresh juice, add some berries or other stones fruits and then freeze over night!

Cherry and Peach Panna Cotta (front), Raspberry and Strawberry Panna Cotta (back)
Cherry and Peach Panna Cotta (front), Raspberry and Strawberry Panna Cotta (back)

Another delightful dessert to make is panna cotta. They are so easy to make and are perfect for the summer. What makes them so great is that they are perfect base to add many different combinations of flavors. Fruit, chocolate or matcha to name a few. Here’s how to make it:

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 cup whole milk

2 1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract or one whole vanilla bean

1 cup sour cream

Fresh fruit to garnish (optional)

Chocolate Panna Cotta
Chocolate Panna Cotta

Add 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla OR the seeds and the pod of one Vanilla bean in the saucepan. (To use the whole bean, simply halve the Vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape off the seeds using a knife). Bring to simmer over medium- low heat, stirring occasionally. After about 5 minutes and once the mixture is steaming, remove from heat and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Make sure you don’t boil the cream. (Discard the Vanilla bean pod if you used a whole bean)

Place 1 cup of milk in bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over it. Let stand for 5 minutes or until gelatin is softened. Add the gelatin mixture to the hot cream and mix well.

Place the sour cream in a bowl and while whisking constantly, gradually add it to the cream. Once the mixture is smooth, divide it into 6 wine glasses or any dish that you like. Refrigerate around 6 hours or overnight. Top with fresh berries!

Gluten free, dairy free cupcake with cherry
Gluten free, dairy free cupcake with cherry

Finally, A simple gluten free, dairy free cupcake doesn’t hurt anyone! speciously when it’s so delicious! While I’m working to create my own recipe, here’s a brand that I trust and use mostly. Follow the instructions on the box, add fresh berries or nuts of your choice into the batter and make different varieties of cakes or cupcakes each time.

Gluten free chocolate cake with Raspberry and cream filling.
Gluten free chocolate cake with Raspberry and cream filling.

For the photo above, I added fresh raspberries and cocoa nibs into the mix. To make the filling, I simply whipped some heavy cream with 1 Tsp of honey along with crushed raspberries. Let me know what are some the combinations you’ve tried?

 

Introduction

While my initial intention for the blog was to focus on travel, I decided to introduce a new segment in light of current circumstances.

Living in San Francisco under quarantine has been certainly challenging for us. We miss our regular hangouts with friends, casual morning walks or dinners out during the weekends. But as human beings, we learn to adapt, to accept the challenges and prepare for what lies ahead.

While the first few weeks of sheltering-in-place was strange and uncomfortable, the following weeks introduced a whole new perspective on life and lifestyle. For me, I tried to focus more on my day-to-day activities; whether it be calling an old friend, exercising at home or spending more time in the kitchen. Sure enough, one thing that has kept me occupied the most has been cooking. I’ve appreciated trying new or creating my own recipes and sharing them with friends. It has been one delicious way to manage the time since travels have been put on hold indefinitely, at least for us.

Here, I will write about my lifestyle and the things that will hopefully get you inspired!

Le Sirenuse, Positano

Considered by many to be the best hotel along the Amalfi Coast, Le Sirenuse is perched along the cliffs of Positano, offering a breath-taking view of the hilly town as well as the beautiful coast. This luxury hotel was once the summer home of an affluent family that was converted to an amazing property rich in culture and elegance. The property overlooks the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the ocean beyond it; and the beauty of the view is perfectly complemented by the classic Italian designs and rich colors of the luxurious resort.

View from the Champagne Bar and Grill
View from the Champagne Bar and Grill

The beauty notwithstanding, what truly sets the hotel apart from its peers is its impeccable service. Whether providing ice cream bars to sun-bathing patrons or offering complimentary activities (more on this later) to maximize the day, Le Sirenuse has all the details covered. They’ll even refer to you by name, making you feel right at home. Get ready to be pampered and treated like royalty!

View from the pool
View from the pool

The rooms:

Le Sirenuse has a total of 59 rooms and suites; thus, the rooms gets booked very quickly. Be sure to check the hotel’s calendar and book your experience early. Almost all rooms have a sea view with a private patio or a balcony that overlooks the amazing coastline. The rooms are spacious and dripping of elegance. Breakfast buffet and resort activities are included in the cost of the room. This will be a fabulous way to take advantage of all the wonderful things Le Sirenuse and Positano has to offer!

Champagne, Lemoncelo and fresh fruit, courtesy of Le Sirenuse hotel
Champagne, Lemoncelo and fresh fruit, courtesy of Le Sirenuse hotel

The restaurant and bars:

  • La Sponda Restaurant and Bar:

This chic one Michelin-starred restaurant is a must visit! With it’s gorgeous view from the coast and delicious food, La Sponda is a perfect place for a unique dinner experience. Their Mariachi-style band, who have been playing together for over 20 years, brings a special element to the evening. Feel free to request your favorite song so you can sing along and all while enjoying vino and freshly made pasta! All enough to fall in love a thousands times over again!

View from Champagne bar and Grill
View from Champagne bar and Grill
  • Champagne bar and grill:

Located next to La Sponda, Champagne Bar and Grill is an out-door bar with a fun vibe, delicious food and a stunning view of Positano. It’s the perfect place to take in the sunset with a cocktail in hand; but keep in mind that it gets very busy around this time, naturally, so book your tables early and arrive early for the best seats. Nothing quite like peering out to the Amalfi hills and the coast while the sun sets over the waters; an essential shot for your Instagram collection!

Breakfast buffet
Breakfast buffet
  • Pool Bar and Restaurant

Another tranquil spot surrounded by lush lemon trees overlooking the sea and next to the pool where you can relax, eat quality food enjoy the most unforgettable view. It is also where breakfast is served.

View of the Amalfi hills from the pool
View of the Amalfi hills from the pool

Activities:

Le Sirenuse offers a variety of daily activities that will fill up your itinerary, whether it be morning pilates, a visit of the limonchello factory or even luxurious boat trip along the coast. Make sure to look over the list of activities on their website and contact the hotel’s concierge to book them in advance.

Boat tour to Nerano Bay
Boat tour to Nerano Bay

During our stay, we were able to take multiple boat trips, once to Nerano bay to get lunch and the enjoy the town and another for a beautiful sunset cruise. You board an exclusive hotel boat along with fellow guests and cruise along the coast to neighboring towns only accessible by the sea. The wonderful staff provides fresh fruit and refreshments while you get to enjoy this dreamy view and chatting with your new friends. One can even jump into the warm Mediterranean Sea! Truly an immaculate experience that was out of this world and will forever be engraved in my memory.

Complimentary fruits and champagne on the boat
Complimentary fruits and champagne on the boat

If you book the lunch boat tour, you’ll need to pick a restaurant in Nerano Bay. The concierge can give you some wonderful recommendations. We opted for Ristorante Le Sirene and I can’t recommend it enough. Le Sirene is located within a small “run-down” hotel and it is well known for it’s homemade pasta and seafood. The view from the restaurant was also spectacular and you can find yourself gazing through it’s windows for hours!

Fresh homemade spagetti with clams, Ristorante Le Sirene
Fresh homemade spagetti with clams, Ristorante Le Sirene

Just like the lunch boat tour, the sunset cruise is another fabulous way to spend some quality time on the sea. Get ready for a beautiful experience on the boat with a nice spread of charcuterie, nuts and dried fruits. The lovely staff will pour champagne as you take in the romantic sunset in the ocean.

Bubbles on the boat
Bubbles on the boat