Well Rested: Iconic Stays
Journey across the Mediterranean with Navigator’s selection of top suites in iconic properties. From seasoned castles to monasteries, each offers a distinctive charm.
Spain
The Balearic island of Mallorca is known for its stunning coastline, and no setting could be better than the cliffside location of Cap Rocat. The former fortified citadel turned luxury resort sits atop a 1.2-mile stretch of protected coast on the southern tip of the Bay of Palma. Surrounded by a 74-acre nature reserve, the storied escape offers 30 rooms and suites. While many of the rooms are located in the main fortress, the Sentinel Suites are carved into the rock where the fort’s cannons were once located. All eyes point in one direction: to the horizon and the yacht-speckled Bay of Palma. The hotel’s spa is located 40′ underground and offers a range of Ayurvedic treatments, a saltwater pool, and hammam, while dining options include both gourmet cuisine at La Fortaleza and the Sea Club – a favorite for casual seaside dining.
France
A legend even along a coast full of legends, this quiet rustic hotel is more than the sum of its parts. La Colombe d’Or has grown from a small inn into a 25-room boutique hotel with a fine arts pedigree. The walls are adorned with a museum-worthy art collection of 20th century masters – Matisse, Picasso, Chagall – all of whom were patrons who donated works in exchange for accommodation. Relax by the pool and admire the large Calder mobile; enjoy an apéritif on the terrace, overlooked by a Léger mosaic; and enjoy hearty Provençal cuisine surrounded by the presence of Picassos and Matisses. The hotel’s ambiance and historical significance make it a unique destination for art and culture lovers.
Italy
Castello di Casole is more than a converted hotel, it’s an entire village. The small hamlet in the heart of Tuscany was once a medieval town, complete with a castle and meandering streets. Surrounded by vineyards, woods, and farmland, the 10th century Castello di Casole has played host to luminaries for centuries. The castle itself was built by local aristocracy, the Bargagli family, before becoming the holiday home of the Italian movie director Luchino Visconti. Now a luxury retreat, guests can stay in one of 39 suites in the castle and surrounding buildings, or in one of the 28 restored houses that dot the 4,200 acres of the Castello di Casole’s estate. Tuscan decadence comes in the form of a large infinity pool, a botanic spa set within the old wine cellar, two restaurants, and a bar.
Italy
A stay at this five-star hotel perched on a cliff’s edge on the Amalfi Coast may feel like a religious experience – and with very good reason. Occupying a
former 17th century monastery with views of the fishing village of Conca dei Marini, the property was originally built as a home to nuns. It’s a place synonymous with seclusion, with its lemon-scented air and terraced gardens spilling down onto the Tyrrhenian Sea. The monastery’s original bones have been enhanced by local artisans, but don’t expect monastic simplicity throughout this luxury boutique hotel. Everything has been recently renovated in a way that combines the traditional with the contemporary style. With 20 sea-view rooms, an infinity pool, spa, library, bar, and Michelin-starred restaurant Il Refettorio, there’s no chance of abstinence.
Croatia is not short of historic properties that have opened their doors to guests, however none are quite as unique as Lopud 1483. Located on the northern tip of Lopud, near Dubrovnik, this converted Franciscan monastery has been meticulously restored and transformed into a private, five-suite retreat. Available on an exclusive basis, guests have use of the Old Kitchen, Sunset Terrace, wellness facilities, and the Secret Garden, complete with stations designed for meditation and contemplation.
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