RAVELLO, Italy, June 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Orient-Express Hotels is delighted to announce the reopening of Hotel Caruso in Ravello, on Italy's Amalfi coast, following a US$30m restoration program. This restoration began in 1999 when Orient-Express acquired the property and its land. The hotel joins the company's stable of chic, upmarket hotels in Italy's most elegant destinations, which include Hotel Splendido in Portofino, the Villa San Michele in Florence and Hotel Cipriani in Venice.

Hotel Caruso is reopening with 54 guest rooms (most with sea views and eight of them suites), two restaurants, one of which is alfresco in the gardens, an outdoor heated infinity pool and event facilities for up to 200. Its hilltop position, 365 meters above sea level, ensures long hours of sunshine, breathtaking views and a high level of peace and quiet.

The hotel comes with a colorful and sensual history. It was originally built as a palace in the 11th century by the patrician D'Afflitto family from Rome, who settled in Ravello after their ship, bound for Constantinople, was wrecked off the coast. Over the centuries the original palazzo was destroyed, rebuilt and neglected, however, its 17th century colonnade and other architectural details survive today.

In 1893, an hotelier named Pantaleone Caruso and his wife rented five rooms and opened them as a guesthouse, the Pensione Belvedere, named in honor of the stunning views of hanging gardens, cliffs and the deep blue Gulf of Salerno.

In time, their operation stretched to 24 rooms and the name changed to Hotel Caruso Belvedere. During the Edwardian era (the early 1900's) they started to welcome many social and cultural luminaries from Britain and the US. Later visitors included Greta Garbo, Gina Lollobrigida, Jackie Kennedy, Margot Fonteyn and Humphrey Bogart.

The location of Ravello appeals both to those who need a touring base as well as to those who seek a cultural retreat. One of the most picturesque towns on this coastline, it has an 11th century duomo and clusters of medieval, flower-filled alleyways to explore. Ravello hosts an annual Wagner festival in July, as well as a summer season of concerts at the 11th century Villa Rufolo. It is well positioned for day trips to the ancient ruins at Pompeii and Paestum, as well as to the neighboring towns of Amalfi and Positano and the island of Capri.

Ravello is an 80-minute drive from Naples International Airport, and also has good rail links to Venice, Rome and Milan.

Hotel Caruso Via S. Giovanni del Toro, 2 84010, Ravello (SA) - Italy Tel: +39 089 858.801 Fax: +39 089 858.806 Reservations (Italy): Tel. +39 01 852 67890 Fax +39 01 852 67895

For more information or to make reservations, visit http://www.orient-express.com/ or call toll-free in the US on 1 (800) 237-1236.

For further information, please contact: Melanie Brandman/Kristen Vigrass The Brandman Agency P: (212) 683-2442 Melanie@brandmanpr.com or Kristen@brandmanpr.com

Orient-Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises (http://www.orient-express.com/) is a hotel and leisure company providing luxury travel experiences for discerning travelers in areas of outstanding cultural, historic or recreational interest. Founded in 1976 when the company acquired Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Orient-Express owns or has investments in 49 businesses: 38 highly individual hotels, three restaurants, six tourist trains and two river cruise operations, located in 22 countries worldwide. The company believes that discerning travelers will choose a famous individual property in preference to a chain brand, so none of its businesses is called Orient- Express except the fabled Venice Simplon-Orient-Express luxury train which operates through Europe, linking London, Paris and Venice. Orient-Express chooses to own or part own its businesses, believing equity returns are greater than management fee income alone and continues to seek out unique properties with expansion potential and introduce new experiences, restoring romance, glamour and style to international travel.

CONTACT: Melanie Brandman, Melanie@brandmanpr.com, or Kristen Vigrass,
Kristen@brandmanpr.com both of The Brandman Agency, +1-212-683-2442

Web site: http://www.hotelcaruso.net/
http://www.orient-express.com/