After months of stressing and planning, what newlyweds want, more than anything, is relaxation.
So maybe Rome may not have been the best choice for the first destination for our honeymoon.
But, after the incredible – but exhausting – chaos of sightseeing around the Eternal City, we head to the Miramalfi; a hotel built into a cliff face overlooking the Amalfi Coast, and the highest-rated property in Amalfi on Tripadvisor.
And with very good reason.
From the moment my new husband and I step out of the taxi, we’re treated like royalty – which is very much needed after the windy, steep roads of the Amalfi Coast (NOT for the faint-hearted!).
Before we even have a chance to say ‘Ciao’, a hotel staff member has whisked our suitcases away to save us from lugging them over the cobbles and down the steps into the reception.
We’re handed glasses of champagne and ushered out to a table on a small balcony looking out over some of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen (until 20 minutes later), while I wait for my room to be ready.
‘You’ve been upgraded three times, so it’ll be worth it!’ Rosita, the very friendly hotel concierge, assures me.
The Daily Mail’s deputy travel editor, Hayley Minn (pictured) checks in to the Miramalfi – a hotel built into a cliff face overlooking the Amalfi Coast, and the highest-rated property in Amalfi on Tripadvisor
Stepping into the suite, I walk down a long corridor of light-up, mirrored wardrobes – in which a Dyson hair dryer can be found – and into a living room with a sofa and coffee table, with a ‘Congratulations’ dessert and bottle of champagne laid out for us
I then walk through an arch into the bedroom, decorated with loads of heart-shaped balloons, and a heart made out of flower petals on the king-sized bed
Of course, she’s absolutely right.
Stepping into the suite, I walk down a long corridor of light-up, mirrored wardrobes – in which a Dyson hair dryer can be found – and into a living room with a sofa and coffee table where a ‘Congratulations’ dessert and bottle of champagne has been laid out for us.
I walk through an arch into the bedroom, decorated with heart-shaped balloons, along with a heart made out of flower petals laid out on the king-sized bed.
The bathroom is just as big as the rest of the suite, with a huge bath tub in the corner. It’s more like a jacuzzi – and is so big we never manage to fill it up properly throughout the stay.
But it’s the balcony that completely blows me away, rendering my husband and I speechless, other than the ability to continuously utter ‘Wow!’ from the moment we open the doors to our terrace.
We’re greeted by panoramic views of the crystal-clear Mediterranean sea, as far as the eye can see – and quickly notice we can sit and look out over the coast from our choice of two sunbeds, a table and chairs, or sofa.
Despite having the best intentions to explore the nearby towns of Ravello and Capri during our stay, we both give each other a knowing look: The chances of us leaving the hotel much are slim.
Luckily, when we do venture out, the hotel is just a five-minute walk – or a free shuttle for guests – from the centre of Amalfi.
But it’s the balcony that completely blows me away, rendering my husband and I both speechless, other than the ability to continuously utter ‘Wow!’ from the moment we open the doors to our terrace
The bathroom is just as big as the rest of the suite, with the most giant tub I’ve ever seen in the corner. It’s more like a jacuzzi – and is so big we never do manage to fill it up properly throughout the stay
Here, we visit the historic Amalfi Cathedral, go shopping for clothes, bags and limoncello, and eat plenty of pizza and gelato which is sandwiched in between whole lemons.
We also hop on a private boat one morning, to see some more of Amalfi’s coastline from the comfort of a yacht.
But our earlier sentiment of not wanting to leave the hotel is confirmed when we head back to Miramalfi’s beach club – a saltwater pool and private beach, built into and out of the rock cliffs and surrounded by the sparkling Med.
There are just 35 rooms at Miramalfi, and only hotel guests are allowed to visit, giving it a really personal feel.
The staff truly can’t do enough for us.
They wait on us hand and foot, neatly laying towels out on our chosen sun loungers, and presenting us with complimentary ice-cold water and snacks, such as crisps, olives and delicious watermelon slushies, while we sit and admire our surroundings, basking in the sunshine.
We end up spending most of our time here, dipping in and out of the sea using swimming noodles and inflatable rubber rings provided by the hotel.
Staff also serve cocktails to our sunbeds – though these are pricey at €25 a pop, so we don’t have too many.
Pictured: Miramalfi’s beach club – a saltwater pool and private beach, built into and out of the rock cliffs and surrounded by the sparkling Med
The staff can’t do enough for us at the beach club. We end up spending most of our time here, dipping in and out of the sea using swimming noodles and inflatable rubber rings provided by the hotel
There are just 35 rooms at Miramalfi, and only hotel guests are allowed to visit the beach club, which gives it a really personal feel
But if you do fancy a free aperitivo at the hotel, Azur Lounge Bar holds daily cocktail classes at 4pm, hosted by a team of friendly and knowledgeable bar staff.
We try a session out and sample the hotel’s extremely alcoholic take on a Negroni, as well as one of its signature cocktails – which has an odd, but surprisingly tasty, ingredient: red pepper syrup.
Sea views are everywhere; even in the well-equipped gym, you can work out while looking out to the ocean.
The service and the food prove to be just as magical as the views.
Breakfast is included and served at the hotel’s main restaurant, Donna Emma La Cucina, which – you guessed it – has incredible views of the coastline, making it the perfect setting for starting the day.
While there’s a wide buffet selection – where you’ll find fresh fruit, meats, cheeses and baked goods – the staff are so attentive that there’s not really a need to get up and fill our plates ourselves.
As soon as we sit down, they offer us coffee, fresh juice and water, and bring over a mini pastry and basket overflowing with different varieties of bread, as well as a plate of a selection of jams.
If you do fancy a free aperitivo at the hotel, Azur Lounge Bar holds daily cocktail classes at 4pm with some very friendly and knowledgeable bar staff
When it comes to breakfast, it’s included, and is served at the hotel’s main restaurant, Donna Emma La Cucina, which has incredible views of the coastline, making it the perfect setting for starting the day
Donna Emma La Cucina is also open for lunch and dinner, and we head here for a fine dining tasting menu, with wine pairing, to mark the final night of our honeymoon
It doesn’t get much more romantic than this: eating incredible food while staring at the views we’ve come to know and love. It’s no wonder Miramalfi is the best-rated hotel in the area
We can also choose hot meals from the a la carte menu, including omelettes, pancakes and waffles, so I have a different dish everyday, with my favourite being truffle eggs.
Donna Emma La Cucina is also open for lunch and dinner, and we head here for a fine dining tasting menu, with wine pairing, to mark the final night of our honeymoon.
The menu consists of eight courses, meaning A LOT of good Italian wine and food, but the best dish is the homemade fresh pasta, oozing with cheese and beef sauce.
It doesn’t get much more romantic than this: eating incredible food while staring at the views we’ve come to know and love.
It’s no wonder Miramalfi is the best-rated hotel in the area.
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