Locanda del Capitano.
Piazza Delle Sirene 10, Massa Lubrense, Campania.
The tiny fishing village of Marina del Cantone is home to the Locanda del Capitano guesthouse and its sister restaurant, the Taverna del Capitano. Squeezed onto the strip of land between the mountains of the Sorrento peninsula and the Mediterranean Sea, it’s a beautiful location for a holiday.
For a few weeks in the height of summer, the shoreline is a hubbub of activity in true Italian style. For the remainder of the year it is reclaimed by the fishermen and the visiting tourists who appreciate a slower pace of life. The natural beauty of the bay and the headlands is enhanced by the cluster of small fishing boats that call this place home.
The family who run the hotel and restaurant have been here from the very beginning. They may have moved away for a while to enhance their training and knowledge, but have always returned to their beloved village. The guest rooms in the locanda are simple clean and comfortable, immaculately prepared, and nearly all have a balcony or terrace facing out to sea. They feature air-conditioning, a minibar, Sky TV and an en-suite bathroom.
Chef Alfonso has dedicated himself to the creation of refined, yet timeless, dishes using the ingredients that are literally on his doorstep. Each day he is able to walk out onto the jetty and select his fish from the best of that day’s catch. His fruit, vegetables and cereals come from the local farmers in the hills behind the village. Front of house is the domain of Claudio who will guide diners carefully through Alfonso’s menu and ensure the best of service. Meanwhile his wife Mariella is in charge of the wine cellar and will provide advice on both the local Campania wines and those of Italy in general.
It is said that Nerano (the village behind Marina del Cantone) is so called because the Emperor Nero had a villa there. If so, this becomes an area with nearly 2000 years of tourism behind it. Settled between hectic Sorrento and fashionable Positano, it’s a place of beautiful sunsets, crystal-clear waters lapping on the pebbles and verdant hillsides.