Hotel San Francesco al Monte is in an ancient 16th-century monastery, founded – in that period as a small monk’s cell – by a poor monk of the Ordine dei Frati Minori Conventuali, also called ‘Barbanti’ for the long beards that they had.
The top floor of the hotel overlooks the green hill of San Martino, a genuine remnant of countryside in the middle of the city.
From the roof garden there is an unequalled panorama: the eye can see 360° over the little alleys and churches of the city, the gulf, Vesuvius and Capri on one side, the hill with Vigna di San Martino on the other, and high up the homonymous Certosa and the Castle of Sant’Elmo.
There are still important traces today of its secular past which contribute to the enchantment of the place, such as the Chapel – and once cell – of St. Giovan Giuseppe della Croce, Patron Saint of Ischia, the frescoed Refectory with its collected atmosphere, created from the heart of the tufa-rock mountain, the Oven Room and the Conventual Room – after clever renovation, warm and welcoming surroundings designed for relaxation.
With every modern comfort and magnificent views over Naples and the gulf, the 45 bedrooms were created out of the careful restructuring of the ancient monks’ cells, preserving the atmosphere and some details of the period. Here and there emerge fragments of frescoes or old majolica tiles, testimony to the artistic heritage of the place. The décor is elegant: soft colours and classic furnishings.
“La Terrazza dei Barbanti” and “Il Vigneto” have refined cuisine with Mediterranean flavours and typical Napoletan dishes, accompanied by an assorted wine list and the spectacular view of the gulf of Naples, while “La Cantinetta”, the renovated wine cellar, hosts wine-tastings, cocktails and private dinners.
The terrace on the 7th floor has a roof garden of rare beauty: the ancient vegetable gardens, cultivated by the monks, have been preserved with the walkways and pergolas. The splendid swimming pool is in the most panoramic position, almost camouflaged among the greenery and rock.
And in a hidden cavern, a second pool awaits guests with warm water and beneficial water gushes. The adjacent vineyard offers the opportunity for walks among the sprouting grapevines and fruit trees – an oasis of peace with breathtaking view.
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