J.K. Place Capri

"Set on a cliffside just above the busy port of Marina Grande, this seaside villa is worlds apart from the sweaty day-trippers crowding the busy port below. Florentine interior design darling Michele Bonan’s signature cool, sophisticated, yet cozy interiors work brilliantly in a marine context: sunlight streams into the welcoming, comfortable reception rooms and 22 sunny bedrooms which have four-posters and terraces with magnificent views across the Bay of Naples toward Vesuvius. There’s a wide wraparound deck for aperitivi and meals, a proper-sized pool, and a little spa pavilion offering a range of treatments including signature facials by Dr. Barbara Sturm. Come evening, guests gather on the terraces for cocktails before feasting on chef Andrea Cimino’s delicious mod-Mediterranean dishes showcasing hopping fresh fish and seafood from the local waters."

"A sophisticated yet relaxed hotel that feels like a very beautiful and chic home. It features a terrace overlooking Capri’s only sand beach, perfect for a leisurely aperitivo." - Travel + Leisure Editors

"JK Place Capri features classic interiors by Michele Bonan, with some rooms offering small balconies facing the sea. The penthouse suite provides a panoramic view of the Gulf of Naples. The hotel is centrally located in the Roman old town." - The MICHELIN Guide

"This glamorous villa is situated on Capri’s main road—and just a five-minute walk to the port—but JK Place feels like a refuge from the tourist throngs. Interiors have a chic, polished aesthetic that’s the embodiment of la dolce vita: The crisp white-and-navy spaces are filled with beautiful art and antiques, dramatic fireplaces, and colorful bouquets of blooms, while large windows and panoramic terraces capture views of rugged green hills that fall into the sea. (Yes, that’s Mount Vesuvius looming in the distance.) Posh touches continue in the guest rooms—think monogrammed pillows, canopy beds, wingback chairs, and marble- and mosaic-tiled bathrooms. Lemon trees scent the air throughout the property, from the elegant pool deck and on-site spa to the terrace bar, where sunset aperitivos are accompanied by tasty bites such as sea bream sliders and quail-egg canapés."

"Tell us a bit about the destination.Capri is one of those places that can surprise the first-timer with just how low-key the island actually is. But this hotel is just so handsome, it's like a straight-backed mansion designed to be a shiny and fresh as a ship at sea, with views of Parmesan cliffs and Mount Vesuvius beyond. So what's the story behind this hotel?The original J.K. Place in Florence redefined the Italian townhouse hotel when it opened its doors in 2003. Its Capri cousin arrived in 2007, followed by one in Rome in 2013. Paris is next up, in spring 2019. The name derives from the initials of Jonathan Kafri, father of the boutique brand’s Italo-Israeli owner, Ori Kafri. Designer of all four hotels is Michele Bonan, the Florentine wunderkind who has also worked on Ferragamo’s Lungarno properties in Florence and Rome. Those are delightful—especially the two signature hotels, Portrait Firenze and Portrait Roma. But somehow the J.K.s seem to spur Bonan on to create his most engaging and personal work. If we get to choose, is there a room we should stay in?In the corner suite, powder-blue walls bring the southern sky inside, Vesuvius framed in one window, the pool in the other. The tech is just fine. They’ll lend you a battery pack if your phone’s dying. Are there any good restaurant options on site, and what should we be eating?The restaurants of the hotel’s urban cousins are clubbish venues with high-end comfort food. Capri is different—perhaps because it’s not surrounded by great dining establishments. Neapolitan chef Eduardo Estatico is to the point and puts quality first. The delicate sea bass, served on a bed of almond cream, is incredible, as is an intense paste of olives from the Cilento region and a dab of steamed spinach. Breakfast is included—among the local specialities served is an irresistible smoked mozzarella from a small artisanal producer. How's the service?Both friendly and respectful. Most places of this level have dispensed with the stuffy check-in desk procedure these days—but the J.K.s were among the first in Italy to make de-stressing with a drink more of a priority than getting down those passport details. Go trekking with an expert guide: a walk up Monte Solaro or from fortress to fortress along the western shore brings home Capri’s wild side. Who are you likely to see staying here?Well-travelled people, suave and confident Italy lovers—the vast majority will have been before, several times. They’re reading Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels, listening to Ludovico Einaudi, and not following the herd in the way they dress—you’re as likely to see vintage here as Versace (vintage Versace would be just perfect). What else is in the surrounding area?The other smart hotels are either in chi-chi Capri town or its more rustic neighbor, Anacapri. J.K. Place is an exception in being down near Marina Grande, where the ferries from Naples and Capri dock. But it’s removed from the port-side bustle and souvenir shops, a little way up the main road to Capri town, right above the beach. The only restaurant within walking distance is Capri classic Da Paolino Lemon Trees —touristy but fun. However, you’re just a ride away from new-dolce-vita restaurants such as Aurora or Mamma—or a boat ride away from Il Riccio, a little beach-club eatery above the Blue Grotto. Anything else we should be sure to check out while staying here?Space on this rocky island is at a premium so there’s only a small but well-run spa (with Sisley products) and a gym. It sounds too good to be true, honestly. Are there any potential downsides?Move the road that skirts the back of the hotel, which generates some background noise. So why would you recommend a stay here?Capri can be disappointing: so much of the glamor of the island is as dated as those '60s open-top taxis that run you up to Capri Town, or the cheesy cabaret on nightly display at Anema e Core. J.K. Place makes Capri stylish and glamorous again." - Lee Marshall