Capri has long been on my ‘To visit list’ and what a disappointment the whole place is.

We chose to stay at Villa Marina because it has a lovely name (ha-ha, my name is also Marina). Well that wasn’t the reason of course. On the internet this hotel looks like a luxury modern hotel and it sounds great. If you don’t know Capri well (like we didn’t) it sounds lovely.

However Villa Marina has a few major downfalls. First – location.

It is not here, nor there – not by the beach, nor in town. So if you want to go anywhere you have to catch a cab (far and few in between with a price tag of €50 Euro one way for a 7 min ride) or a bus that comes even more rarely and doesn’t seem to go anywhere you’d want to.

The only place you can stroll to is a small public beach near the port and the port itself which doesn’t have anything of interest. The beach is definitely not the best beach on the island.

Hotel rooms are TINY (starting from 15 sq m). Anything under a Junior Suite category is completely unacceptable. Suites are also tiny by ‘sweet’ standard, only around 30 sq m. however they are well designed, modern and new. It would all be ok if prices for the suites  didn’t start from €1,000+. 

Hotel’s pool looks quite impressive on the internet but is tiny is real life. Almost unusable for swimming.

The service and the breakfast are OK but nothing special.

Atmosphere – none (it is a small boutique hotel); there is no special cocktail hour when all guests gather on the terrace or anything of the kind.

Overall – this hotel was a disappointment and is not designed for the Lux Traveller.

The problem with Capri is that there are hardly any (if any?) luxury hotels on the island and most of them are totally overpriced. It is a real shame as the island by itself (take away the locals) is beautiful.

Tips if you have to come to Capri – 

1.    Stay in the centre or right by the beach in Marina Piccola (not Marina Grande)!
2.    Hire a boat and go around the island – it is spectacular
3.    The best beach club in Capri is La Fontelina with the view of Faraglioni rocks. It is quite expensive but worth it. Lunch here is also a real treat. Make a day out of it. 

All In All – Italians generaly speaking are beautiful people, Capri doesn’t do the nation justice. Even though the island is pretty feeling like you are being taken for a ride everywhere you go is not pleasant. Hotel prices (starting from €500-600 for a basic room) don’t remotely justify the experience.

There are much more authentic places in Italy to visit. Head to Sardinia or Sicily for authentic island experience, nicer people and true luxury hotels.