The Amalfi area is the only place besides Roma where we made reservations before leaving the USA. Neither of us wanted to be stuck without sleeping accomodations in this area, since it's known to get very busy with tourists, and neither of us knows exactly what it will be like.
Initially we decided to stay at Hotel Tritone 4 nights, however, on the morning we were suppose to leave something said to us both - stay another day... availability was no problem and we kept our same room. Both Pamela and I wanted to experience something different so at the last minute that morning there was a boat excursion for a few hours and we decided that was just perfect for our last day on the Amalfi coast...
This is a beautiful hotel - lovely mediterranean tile flooring through out the entire hotel and it's literally built into the cliffs. It can be difficult to navigate since it is a multi-level structure and sprawling. It does offer private parking at street level and you must take a lift downthrough the cliff to get to the lobby! This is just the first surprise of many with regard to lifts on the grounds... it's a fantastic oasis.
The food in the dining room is exceptional and Pam and I enjoyed several delicious local meals and seafood, and they are included in the price of the suite so we ate like queens!
We had an exceptional time at the rocky beach well below the hotel - To get there we had to take a lift from the main lobby down through the cliffs and onto a flat area, where there is a great statue of Tritone himself, benches and gardens. We dallied here for a while and took photos of the scenery below, above and out towards the sea where there is a small island or two with what appears to be a castle on the larger one. One does not need to take the lifts down to the sea, however, the stairs are too numerous to count and quite difficult. I wasn't the "most fit" but if one is adventurous with no knee problems it would be an excellent way to descend to the beach.
After the first lift we needed to find the 2nd one that takes us down to the sea... this one also goes down through the cliffs, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't hold my breath much of the time... these are very small and very slow moving.
The beach is like none I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing.... large flat rocks, nice loungers both in the sun (where I spent all my time) and shade (where Pamela spent most of her time.) Our beach host, Andreas was awesome and made sure we were well taken care of the entire time we visited - which was daily. He spoke no English but we had an easy time communicating and he was fun to be around... Andreas lives in Praiano and has been with the hotel for several years.
Hotel Tritone was an excellent base for our siteseeing to different towns, and we met Gennardo, an older gentleman who owned the "limo" service in the area. He came for us whenever we needed him so we didn't have to drive into the towns and attempt to find a parking space - it can be very difficult. He took us to Priano one evening to his brother's tavern, and Pam and I sat outside for hours quenching our thirst and just people watching. Gennardo the driver told his older brother to keep an eye on us, and he was very hospitable. Of course, which is often the case in small towns, many of the locals came and hung around smiling to us and wondering about us.
Left - This was taken from one of the outdoor areas. Note the little blue patch of water below and it will give you some indication just how high this hotel sits on the cliffside. Also, next to the white siding you can see where the long winding steps begin
Center - This is the view down to the next level where the statue of Tritone is. It's a nice little restful and peaceful place to sit with gardens. The views in each direction, including up to the hotel are awesome. The 2nd lift down to the beach is housed inside the little dwelling seen below.
Right - Widning deep stairs taken from the edge of the cliff on the 2nd level where the little lift house is
Left - Pamela with Tritone - opps, I think Pamela's hand slipped!
Center - Tritone protecting the seas and hotel
Right - Donamaria posting with Tritone
Left - This is a postcard since I was not able to find a way to get on top of the hotel and shoot the pool from above
Above - One of my photos of the pool. I loved coming here after being down on the beach
The beach area is made of rock carved flat and is a multi-level "shelf." The water is a bright emerald/aqua blue color and the salt is very dense. I was sitting on a ladder attached to the side of the rock and when I touched the side rails of the ladder they were heavily ladened with small chunks of salt that is much thicker than just mere grains of table salt. I loved sitting in my lounge chair and watching Andreas scrape the salt from the ropes ~ while realizing that "this is the life..."
As the sea rolled over the rocks near the beach along the shore I was struck with the thought that I need to tell my children that when my time to die comes, and it will... they must visit this very same spot and celebrate my life. They must take my remains to Italy, to see what I have seen, and celebrate my passing on the shores of Italia. They should celebrate my life and my death in my grandparent's homeland, the very ground that trickles through my blood, by pouring my remains out into the Mediterranean sea... I've heard that we are able to see the face of God in more places on earth than we ever realize... I know I saw it here... Thank you grandpa Antonio - had it not been for you I would not have come. You ~ are the reason I came...
Left - At the end of this VERY long cave path is the door to the lift shaft. Unfortunately, because it is so dark inside this shaft the viewer can't see just how far the lift is from the outside opening
Center - This is the long path down to the beach and sea once you come out of the caves
Right - This shows you the cliffside from the beach area. It is very difficult to see the opening (the stretrch of open paths in the center photo) on this photo, but if you look very closely you will see some "greenery" on the cliff near the sea - just to the right of that greenery is the opening of the middle photo above.
Simply awesome, isn't it?
Top Right - Here is a much better view of the largest opening coming out of the caves from the lift.
Although we didn't take the time to see them, there is also a beautiful "Chiesette in grotta" (chapel) within the cliff's walls, and a wine cellar.
Above - ANDREAS ~ This is his domain and if you visit, be sure to say Donamaria said hello!
Left - As you can see, there is the black goat away from the other two who are laying down. The actual series of photos show him at different stages cautiously and very slowly inching his way towards the others.
Right - Here you see at least 2 of the goats standing. Without rhyme or reason, all 3 of them left the rooftop and made their way down into the greenery and flat rocks shown in the center picture at the very bottom right. They grazed and played, going in and out of paths and our site.
hotel's website. Please visit them at: Grand Hotel Tritone
(both in English & Italian)