Le Sirenuse

Last week we wrote about a summer home which became a national historic landmark. This week we are traveling to Italy where, a long time ago, a summer house was turned into an exquisite hotel.

Le Sirenuse

Positano, Italy

Le Sirenuse was originally built in the 18th century for the Marchese Sersale as a family palazzo. Upon opening its doors to the public in 1951, it quickly became one the most glamorous hotels on the Amalfi Coast. Today Le Sirenuse is furnished with all the comforts of a luxury hotel, while maintaining the atmosphere of a private home. The Sersale clan is in fact still in charge of the business.

The spa

The superb view onto the town and the mountains or onto the sea and the islands of the Sirens immediately stand out, either from the terrace by the pool, the restaurant or the rooms. Inside, the furniture and the antique paintings collected by the family, as well as the plants and flowers are all worthy of mention. Conceived by the famous Italian architect, Gae Aulenti - who is well known for several large-scale museum projects, including Musee d'Orsay in Paris and the Palazzo Grassi in Venice - the hotel’s SPA and fitness centre, designed in a modern style which contrasts with the building’s 18th century Baroque style, offer the perfect scenario and treatments for rejuvenating mind and body.

The swimming pool

This is a very special hotel in a very special little town in the South of Italy. Positano was actually a poor fishing village during the first half of the 20th century. It began to attract tourists in the 1950s, especially after John Steinbeck published his essay about Positano in Harper's Bazaar in May, 1953: "Positano bites deep", Steinbeck wrote. "It is a dream place that isn't quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone."

Definitely a place to be in 2012!!

Le Sirenuse's view

Burano - Phillippe Starck's Inspiration Haven

 Burano is a charming little island in the Venetian Lagoon known for its lacework but also for its small colorful houses. A couple of months ago we spent a lovely day on the island, enjoying an exquisite lunch - 3 hour long!!! - at Il Gatto Nero, followed by a much needed walk through the canals, little bridges, and brightly colored houses. During our walk we discovered that designer Philippe Starck owns four houses on the island, a bigger one for him and his family (the redish/coral one in the pictures, about 3,800 sq.ft or 400 sq.m), and three smaller ones for his guests.

Philippe Starck Primary Residence

I guess the colorful scenery and the magical atmosphere make it the ideal place to relax and get inspired for an artist such as Starck. We actually thought of buying one ourselves, but ah too far from Miami. Well maybe one day :-)
For those of you interested, the small blue house below is about 800 Sq.ft (75 sq.m) on 3 levels and cost between 250,000 and 275,000 Euros ($355,000 - $390,000). Venice Airport is 10 minutes away by speed boat.

Il Gatto Nero - Crab and Pomodoro Salad