Miramalfi Honeymoon: Amalfi’s cliffside hotel meets its reputation

After months of planning and wedding stress, the primary aim for Hayley Minn, the Daily Mail’s deputy travel editor, was relaxation. Her honeymoon shifted from the bustle of Rome to Miramalfi, a hotel carved into a cliff face overlooking the Amalfi Coast and the region’s top-rated property on Tripadvisor. From the moment the couple stepped from the taxi, Miramalfi staff rolled out a service-forward welcome: suitcases whisked away, glasses of champagne poured, and a balcony table set with a view that would soon define the stay.

Rosita, the hotel’s concierge, teased that the couple had been upgraded several times, a promise the suite delivered in full. The entry corridor features light-up, mirrored wardrobes housing a Dyson hair dryer, and a living area with a sofa and coffee table where a dessert and bottle of champagne awaited along with a note of congratulations. A bedroom decorated with heart-shaped balloons and a heart formed from flower petals on the king-size bed completed the romance-infused scene. The bathroom matched the suite’s scale, with a very large tub that felt more like a jacuzzi and proved difficult to fill to the brim during the stay. The most dramatic element, however, was the balcony: a panorama of the crystal-clear Mediterranean that prompted continual exclamations of “wow.”

The balcony offers two sunbeds, a table and chairs, or a sofa, all oriented toward the coast. In practice, the couple found themselves drawn to the terrace more than any planned day trips. The hotel’s location is convenient: a five-minute walk to central Amalfi or a free guest shuttle to the town’s core, but the allure of the view made a longer excursion seem less appealing by day’s end.

The Miramalfi’s beach club is built into the cliff and features a saltwater pool and private beach that are accessible only to hotel guests, reinforcing a personal, low-traffic atmosphere. Staff attend to guests at the sunbeds, placing towels and offering complimentary water and light snacks such as olives and watermelon slushies. While cocktails at the sunbeds can reach €25, the service and setting justify the expense for many guests. The small, 35-room property cultivates a sense of exclusivity that complements its dramatic setting.

During the stay, the couple took time to explore Amalfi’s historic sights, including the cathedral, and wandered through local boutiques for clothes, bags and limoncello before returning to the hotel’s sea-facing spaces. A private boat ride offered a different perspective of the coastline, but the couple repeatedly found themselves drawn back to Miramalfi’s beach club and the terrace that framed each afternoon in gold and sapphire.

Azur Lounge Bar provides daily cocktail classes at 4 p.m., a chance to sample the hotel’s takes on classics. The session included a Negroni and a signature cocktail that features red pepper syrup, a surprising but surprisingly harmonious accent. The sea remains visible from the gym, breakfast service and the main restaurant, Donna Emma La Cucina, which anchors the property’s food program with uninterrupted views of the coastline.

Breakfast is included and served at Donna Emma La Cucina, where a wide buffet features fresh fruit, meats, cheeses and baked goods. The staff anticipate guests’ needs, offering coffee, juice and water as soon as guests are seated, followed by a pastry basket and an assortment of breads with jams. The restaurant also hosts a fine-dining tasting menu with wine pairings to mark the final night of the honeymoon. The eight-course menu emphasizes Italian technique and seasonality, with homemade pasta—cheesy, beefy and enveloped in a rich sauce—standing out as a highlight. The setting, paired with the coastal views, reinforces why Miramalfi is frequently cited as the best-rated hotel in the area.

For the couple, Miramalfi’s value extended beyond the room itself to the meticulous service and carefully curated experiences. The staff’s attentiveness—delivered with a warmth that felt more personal than perfunctory—contributed to a sense of ease that made it possible to unwind fully. Even as opportunities to explore Ravello, Capri or other nearby towns presented themselves, the mood often shifted toward lingering at the hotel, savoring a private world perched above the water.

Travel details reflect the hospitality industry context: Hayley Minn was hosted by Miramalfi at a discounted rate, staying in a Suite. Rooms at Miramalfi start at £1,019 per night. The nearest airport is Naples, about a 90-minute drive away by car, with additional transfer options available for guests. For those interested in booking, the hotel’s site is miramalfi.com, where guests can verify current rates, packages and availability.