La Dolce Vita in Amalfi: Our Italian Escape at Anantara Grand Hotel
There’s a magic to Italy that lingers long after you leave — the smell of lemon trees, the sound of waves against cliffside villages, the way locals always seem to be in the middle of a story.
We spent a week soaking up that magic in Amalfi, staying at the five star Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel — perched on a dramatic cliffside with sweeping views of the Mediterranean that felt straight out of an Italian dream.
Originally a 13th-century Capuchin convent, Anantara is now one of the most exclusive stays along the coast.
From our room, we woke up to panoramic views of the sea and fell asleep to the sound of waves echoing through the cliffs.
Each morning, we’d stroll down to breakfast and be greeted by the most incredible buffet — a full spread of Italian cheeses, local specialties, just-baked breads, and the most delicious pink, jelly-filled pastry I’ve ever had (still dreaming about it). And of course, every bite came with a side of that jaw-dropping view.
The outdoor gym had us sweating with a view — easily the most scenic workout of our lives — and our private jacuzzi turned into our unofficial sunset lounge — complete with bubbly Aperol Spritzes and zero regrets.
One of our favorite parts of the trip was the daily walk into town. A peaceful, almost secret-looking path hugged the hillside — lined with lemon trees, local homes, and a surprising number of cats who seemed to know the way better than we did.
We wandered into Amalfi’s historic center every day with no plan, letting the streets (and the scent of pizza) guide us.
Andrea Pansa, a 200-year-old café in the heart of the piazza, became our home base.
Between rounds of Irish coffee, hot chocolates, and flaky sfogliatelle, we were always full — but never too full for pizza. The food here felt guilt-free — everything made fresh, from good olive oil, local produce, and a whole lot of love (and lemon).
We befriended everyone from bartenders to shop owners, all of whom were genuinely happy to see travelers — especially since we came just before the crowds of tourist season rolled in. One night we stumbled into De Maria’s, which quickly became our favorite pizzeria in town.
The vibe was local, the crust was perfect, and at any given time, someone was walking by with gelato in hand.
Getting to Amalfi was a journey: we flew from LAX into Munich, then Naples, followed by a cab weaving through narrow cliffside roads that tested both our jetlag and our stomachs.
On the way back, we splurged on a hotel-arranged Mercedes transfer — a much smoother ride (and definitely worth it after a week of wine, carbs, and coastal curves).
About halfway into our 5-day stay, we made a day trip to Positano, which, even in the off-season, felt like a movie set — beautiful but overly curated and not worth the trek. The 30-minute taxi was over 100 euros, so we decided to embrace the local experience and took the bus back for just 3 euros each.
Inside it was packed, chaotic, and oddly charming — and when we safely navigated the final curve back into Amalfi, the entire bus erupted into applause for our heroic driver. Happy Italians are so fun!
What we did love, though, was the Positano Tennis Club — the courts you've probably seen on Instagram, carved into the cliffside with sea views that almost distract you from your serve.
We played a match there for 40 euros, and it ended up being the highlight of our Positano detour. There’s something unforgettable about rallying with lemon trees above you, pastel buildings below, and the ocean breeze in every shot.
Back at the hotel, we spent an evening at the bar — only open to guests — and easily one of the chicest spots in town. It had that classy, sophisticated, old-world Europe vibe, where hours slipped away as we sipped wine, chatted with fellow guests (all so interesting and well-traveled), watched the stars flicker in the distance, and felt like time had slowed down.
One rainy afternoon, we explored Atrani, the smallest town in southern Italy and just a 5-minute walk from Amalfi. We ducked into a local bar where older men played cards and laughed while we waited for the storm to pass. These were the kinds of moments that stuck with us — spontaneous, unscripted, and full of life.
And of course, we couldn’t leave without a photoshoot. I booked a session with Vincenzo from Photoshoot Positano — a local photographer known for capturing romantic shots all across the Amalfi coast.
He met us at the hotel, took great photos of Cory and me, then I hopped on his scooter (yes, embracing the full Italian cliché here) and we zipped over to Atrani for a few more action shots.
It was such a fun experience — and the photos are definitely framers.
Amalfi isn’t just about the views though (although they definitely don’t hurt).
It’s the locals who remember your name, the winding paths that lead to secret beaches, the lemon-scented air that somehow smells even sweeter after a rainstorm.
It’s the kind of place that stays with you — the kind you find yourself bringing up in every conversation, already plotting how soon you can return.
We’ll be back. For more pink pastries, cliffside tennis, and scooter rides through ancient towns — and all the little moments that made this corner of Italy feel like our own.
Professional photos by Photoshoot Positano.
