Hotel Caesar Augustus Anacapri

The beauty of a villa suspended between the sea and sky surrounding Capri. The luxury of a 5 star hotel designed to look and feel just like your own beautiful island home. The privacy guaranteed by the secluded location, on the cliff edge, 300 meters above the sea.

As soon as you arrive in the port of Capri, look up towards the sky and the great spur of rock towering some 300 meters above the sea. It’s here that you’ll find Hotel Caesar Augustus.

An ancient cliff-edge villa transformed into a luxury hotel with 49 beautiful bedrooms and 6 utterly unforgettable suites. It’s been loved by artists, travelers, princes and kings. We know you’ll love it too.

A world away from the celebrity-packed Capri, Anacapri has conserved all of its simple, Mediterranean charm. Even in the height of summer, peace reigns supreme over the town, the lanes of which are lined with old fashioned artisan shops, tiny restaurants and cute little cottages.

And yet, should you wish to experience the glitz and glamour of downtown Capri, we can take you there. We are about 5 minutes away from the famous Piazzetta

THE HISTORY
The subject of any number of picture postcards, the statue of Ceasar Augustus has become a symbol of Capri, of the hotel, and of the history of one of Italy’s finest five stars.

Russia’s Prince Emmanuel Bulhak, one of the first owners of the villa and the man responsible for transforming the cliff edge property into a center of art and culture, had the statue placed on the corner of the terrace over a century ago.

• 1850 – Villa Bitter, residence of a wealthy German gentleman
• 1875 – An inn providing refreshment to those travelling along the road linking Capri and Anacapri, and up the Phoenician steps, which terminate in the immediate vicinity
• 1900 – The villa is purchased by the Russian prince, Emmanuel Bulhak, who places the famous statue of Caesar on the terrace
• 1940 – Prince Bulhak sells the villa to the Signorini family, responsible for its transformation in hotel
• 1995 – Paolo Signorini abandons his successful career in industry to devote all his time and energy to the family hotel
• 2000 – Caesar Augustus receives numerous awards and, year after year, is classified as one of the best hotels in the world

First recorded mention of the Caesar Augustus dates back to the second half of the 19th century: a number of period photos testify to the existence of a certain Villa Bitter, owned by a wealthy German gentleman.

In the years that followed, the villa was transformed into an inn offering refreshment to the men building the road between Capri and Anacapri, and to all those walking up the Phoenician Steps which, until the road was completed in 1878, represented the only connection between Anacapri and the rest of the island.

At the start of the 20th century, foreseeing troubled times for the nobility in his home country, Russia’s Prince Emmanuel Bulhak, decided to move to Anacapri.

A wise move indeed, considering how many of his titled friends ended up as dishwashers in Paris following the October revolution. In Anacapri, Bulhak purchased Villa Bitter and transformed it into a center for art and culture. Bulhak was the man responsible for placing the statue of Caesar on the terrace.

Guests often ask us why the statue is of Caesar Augustus and not Tiberius who, according to the most accredited historical accounts, was the Emperor of Capri.

Well, it transpires that Bulhak was something of an expert in ancient history and supported the theory that it was Augustus, and not his stepson, who made Capri famous.

The statue is a 19th century copy of the Augustus of Prima Porta, found in Villa Livia in Rome. The Prince decided to place it on the far corner of the terrace, with the hand pointing towards Villa Jovis, the magnificent residence built by Augustus’ stepson Tiberius, on the opposite side of the island.

Towards the end of the fascist period, sensing the winds of war once more, Bulhak decided to move to England and to sell the villa to the Signorini family.

In the immediate post war years, in the late 1940’s, the Signorini family transformed the villa into a hotel. Managed by Paolo Signorini, the property soon evolved into an award-winning 5 star hotel, consistently ranked amongst the best luxury resorts in the world.

CAPRI MASTER SUITE
This unique suite occupies the entire top floor of the hotel. With more than 80sqm of light-filled living and sleeping space and 180sqm of sun-soaked terrace and roof garden, this penthouse boasts the best views in the whole of Capri.

More than just a room – this is a dream come true! Don’t believe us? Just take a look at the photos! A special elevator code key whisks you directly to your suite. The marble fireplace which takes pride of place in the light-filled living room, dates back to the 18th century and the French rule of Naples.

The French Fleur de Lis motif on the fireplace testifies to both the past and future: two hundred years after it was used to decorate the fireplace, Relais & Chateaux chose this same coat of arms as its symbol!

There are stunning views from every window of every room, but the most breathtaking are those waiting to be seen from the terrace. Abundant in Mediterranean flowers and olive trees, the terrace features a large wooden deck, furnished with stylish sofas, tables and chairs and perfect for hosting small private parties.

CAESAR MASTER SUITE
Characterized by graceful arches and classical columns, this sumptuous open space suite has been designed to reproduce the architectural style of Ancient Rome.

A night zone with inviting queen size bed, an elegant living space furnished with comfortable sofas and armchairs, and a magnificent Jacuzzi tub with view: this suite is fit for an emperor!

Whilst relaxing on the suite’s terrace or in their private garden, guests can enjoy a 180 degree view of the sea surrounding Capri. From the garden, guests are granted direct access to Caesar Augustus’ infinity pool.

FAROUK MASTER SUITE
Sixty years ago, King Farouk of Egypt would reserve this luxurious suite in the Hotel Caesar Augustus all year round. Today, this charming open space suite is still decorated with its original antique furniture.

The suite’s bathroom facilities are situated in two separate rooms: one with large walk-in shower and hand-painted ceramic wash basin and toilette and, one with double bowl vanity and sensational sea view Jacuzzi.

Featuring a Queen size bed, free Wi-Fi, Led TV with satellite channels and a docking station, the suite boasts magnificent 180 degree views and a panoramic colonnaded terrace from where to best enjoy them!

TIBERIO MASTER SUITE
If it’s romance with a view you’re after, you’ll love the Tiberio suite, which features a fabulous four-poster bed from where you can enjoy the most amazing views of Capri, Mount Vesuvius, the Bay of Naples. And if you think the view from the bed is amazing, wait ’til you see the one from the bathroom!

Fitted with marble surfaces, a vanity mirror, hairdryer and olive oil bodycare products, this suite’s bathroom features a Jacuzzi tub positioned so as to afford bathers the most unforgettable sea views. From the private terrace, yet more gorgeous views of the sea surrounding Capri can be seen.

THE ROOMS
Over a century has passed since this clifftop villa served as Prince Bulhak’s island retreat and yet Caesar Augustus still looks and feels just like a private home: an elegant and much-loved private home in which each and every room is unique and different from the next.

The photos on this page will give you a taste of the kind of furnishings which you can expect to find in today’s hotel rooms, all of which have been individually-decorated with original items personally selected by the owners.

JUNIOR SUITE
A marriage made in heaven starts with a honeymoon in one of Caesar Augustus’ unbelievably panoramic Junior Suites with sea view – Cliff Side!

In addition to luxurious interiors and top notch amenities, these individually-decorated rooms, situated in the part of the building located closest to the cliff edge, boast the most spectacular views of the Bay of Naples you’ll ever see.

CLASSIC GARDEN VIEW
Perfect for the single traveller who enjoys their comfort or a young couple keen to experience the thrill of staying in one of Italy’s most desirable 5 star properties, Caesar Augustus’ tastefully furnished classic garden view room is the ideal choice for a short break which wont break your budget!

LA TERRAZZA DI LUCULLO
Suspended between the sea and sky, a terrace, a table for two and a view of the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius and the Sorrentine Peninsula you’ll never forget.

KITCHEN GARDEN
The kitchen garden, in the grounds of the hotel, is where the aromatic herbs and vegetables used in our chef’s delicious dishes are grown.

Something of a rarity on Capri, a rocky island characterized by impervious cliffs and with little if any land available for agriculture, Caesar Augustus’ kitchen garden guarantees a supply of fantastically fresh ingredients – throughout the opening season.

A peaceful and panoramic patch of paradise, abundant in basil, rosemary and lemongrass, our kitchen garden is one of Anacapri’s sweetest-smelling secrets.

DINING
From the vegetables grown in the kitchen garden to the fish delivered direct to the hotel by the island’s fishermen each morning, only the freshest of locally-sourced ingredients are used to create Caesar Augustus’ highly acclaimed regional cuisine.

Then there are Capri’s wonderfully succulent lemons, the pasta made in nearby Gragnano, and our homemade bread, freshly baked each morning. We adopted “zero kilometer cuisine”: the philosophy of cooking using only the products of our land.

Simplicity, quality and passion are the secrets of our chef Eduardo Vuolo’s success. Vuolo, whose creative interpretation of traditional island dishes has left many a gastronomic critic speechless, heads a team of young Italian cooks all of whom, after working worldwide, have returned to their home region of Campania.

COOKING CLASS
Book a table and tasting menu at our restaurant and, before your meal, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the kitchen garden with our staff, pick the vegetables for the dinner and help prepare two dishes from the Neapolitan/Capri tradition.

THE CATCH OF THE DAY
On Friday morning, don’t miss the chance to accompany our staff on a trip to our trusted fishmonger. A unique opportunity to learn about the local varieties of fish and to choose the one you want to eat that evening for dinner!

INFINITY TERRACE
To reach Caesar Augustus, you’ll need to make your way up the only paved road that connects Capri with Anacapri. Look out of the window: after a series of hair-raising bends, at a certain stage, you’ll be greeted by a magnificent view of the Sorrentine peninsula and the Bay of Naples and, perched on the corner of a cliff edge terrace, an Ancient Roman statue.

It’s at this stage of the journey that taxis habitually pull over to let passengers out to take a photo. You won’t need to ask your driver to stop. Because you’ve arrived.

The terrace with the statue belongs to Hotel Caesar Augustus. There’s not another hotel in the world with a terrace quite as spectacular as this one and, just think, you’ll be able to enjoy it for the duration of your stay!

TERRACE BAR
Whatever the time of day, take a seat on one of the terrace’s inviting sofas and relax with a good book, a glass of fine wine or a few morsels of Mediterranean sushi…

The atmosphere is even more magical in the evening, when the sound of piano music fills the air and the sky is painted with the colors of the setting sun.

Since 2005, Caesar Augustus’ terrace has provided the panoramic venue for a music festival featuring everything from classical music to jazz. The concerts, performed by musicians of international standing, are one of the highlights of the summer season.

THE WELLNESS 
Occupying one of the most peaceful and secluded corners of the hotel’s clifftop garden; surrounded by sweetly-scented lavender and rosemary bushes; Caesar Augustus’ outdoor wellness center is the perfect place in which to relax and regenerate.

A panoramic oasis complete with sea view fitness terrace, the wellness center offers an impressive range of luxurious face and body treatments performed by Daniela, our expert of beauty and massage therapist. Look beautiful. Feel fantastic. Caesar Wellness

SANDAL EXPERIENCE
Visit Anacapri’s legendary sandal maker and have your own made-to-measure sandals created for you while you wait!

CAPRI BY BOAT
The best way to see Capri is from the sea! We’ll organize an excursion for you aboard one of Capri’s traditional fishing boats, sailing to all of the island’s amazing sea caves and those secret inlets where, if you like, you can enjoy a secluded swim…

Found your sea legs? Extend your excursion and sail to the Amalfi Coast, where you’ll be able to swim in the shadow of the islets of Li Galli before stepping onto dry land and taking a tour of Positano.

THE EMPEROR’S BEACH
Stay at Caesar Augustus and you’ll be granted access to a reserved area on the “Bagni di Tiberio” beach, where holidaymakers get to swim amidst the ruins of one of the villas Emperor Tiberius built on the island of Capri!

ANACAPRI
Despite the passage of time and the arrival of tourism, the little town of Anacapri has managed to conserve all of its typical Mediterranean charm.

Stroll through the historic center and you might easily come across artisans at work, gaggles of children playing in the piazzettas and groups of eldery islanders sat outside their cottages, chatting or snoozing in the sun.

You won’t find stores selling the latest in designer fashions, but you’ll have no problem finding a seamstress capable of making you a beautiful, made-to-measure shirt.

You won’t spend the night in a club packed with models and movie stars, but you’ll be able to share a bottle of wine with the local fishermen, on the beach beneath the lighthouse.

You won’t come across glitzy restaurants invaded by popstars and paparazzi, but you’ll be able to enjoy the authentic flavors of the island’s cuisine in our La Terrazza di Lucullo. And, if you fancy a glamorous night out on the town, Capri’s legendary Piazzetta is only a 10 minute taxi ride away!

Sun bleached lanes lined with tiny artisan studios and workshops, cute barrel-roofed cottages and gorgeous Mediterranean gardens: Anacapri is exactly the way a peaceful little Southern Italian town should be.

VILLA AXEL MUNTHE 
Hotel Caesar Augustus is located within steps of the museum-house built by the Swedish physician and author Axel Munthe in the late 19th century. Munthe chose the site for its spectacular view, the same view which can be seen from our terraces.

Our tip: ask our concierge to see the calendar of events. During the summer, concerts and performances are regularly held in the villa’s garden.

THE BLUE GROTTO
Not everybody knows that you can reach Capri’s Grotta Azzurra on foot (or by bus). From the center of Anacapri, the road leads all the way down to the sea and the jetty located next to the entrance of the famous blue grotto. From here, you can climb aboard one of the little rowing boats and sail inside the cave.

Our tip: in the summer, you may have to queue to enter the cave. Go early in the morning (about 9.00) or late in the afternoon, to avoid the crowds.

MONTE SOLARO
The chairlift to the top of Monte Solaro, the highest point of the island of Capri, lies within easy walking distance of the hotel. It takes just 12 minutes to reach the summit of the mountain, where you’ll find a bar and viewing terraces.

Our tip: travel up to the top of the mountain by chairlift, but make the return journey on foot. On your way back down, pay a visit to the gorgeous little hermitage of Cetrella: the most enchanting (and panoramic!) house of worship on Capri.

PHOENICIAN STEPS
The hotel lies within meters of the Phoenician Steps: 900 steps carved out of the rocks by the Ancient Greeks and which, until the early 20th century, were the only way to reach Anacapri from Marina Grande.

Our tip: walk down the steps to enjoy the amazing views and to reach the beach of Bagni di Tiberio, where you’ll be able to swim amidst the ruins of one of the many villas the Emperor Tiberius’ built on the island of Capri.

PUNTA CARENA LIGHTHOUSE
On the westernmost tip of the island, Capri’s “faro” is one of the tallest lighthouses in Italy (second only to Genova’s “lanterna”). The beach beneath the lighthouse provides an idyllic spot from where to admire the sun setting over the sea.

Our tip: if you’re a lover of the sun and sea, this is the place for you. The sun shines on the beach from dawn until dusk, the water is always crystal clear, and there are some great beach clubs and snack bars.

SORRENTO & POMPEII
The hydrofoil journey from Capri to Sorrento lasts less than 30 minutes. From Sorrento, it will take you another 20 minutes (by car) to reach Pompei, where we can arrange for a private guide to show you around the site.

Before boarding the boat back to Capri, take a stroll through the historic center of Sorrento and pick up a souvenir or two in the town’s famous craft shops. 20 minutes by hydrofoil + 20 minutes by car

THE AMALFI COAST
From Capri, Positano and the other picture-perfect towns dotted along the Amalfi Coast are all little more than a 30 minute boat ride away.

We can organize an excursion sailing aboard either a traditional “gozzo” or ultra-modern motor boat, and which includes a stop to see the Islets of Galli where, they say, the Sirens tried to seduce Ulysses, and tours of Positano and Amalfi.

NAPLES 
Not ony is it steeped in historic, artistic and archaeological treasures, Naples is one of the most vibrant, exciting and gastronomically gifted cities in the whole of Italy too.

From Capri, it will take you just 50 minutes to sail to Naples. We’ll be pleased to organize a private (and highly personalized) guided tour of the historic center of Naples for you, pizza included! 50 minutes by hydrofoil

Rooms: 55

Price: from 490 EUR per night

Source: www.caesar-augustus.com