Tropea, Italy
Villa Paola
Restored clifftop convent
Restored clifftop convent
Sixteenth-century Franciscan cloisters now house an intimate hotel perched high above the marina and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
“Handsomely converted, this clifftop monastery offers some of the best accommodations in Calabria and is an ideal base for exploring the region.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
A sixteenth-century Franciscan convent crowned by Ernesto Basile's panoramic Liberty tower.
Notable
Contemporary Italian furnishings set beneath restored cloisters and original terracotta brickwork.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler and AFAR.
clean-lined contemporary Italian furniture blends seamlessly into sixteenth-century spaces, with modern conveniences included as a matter of course.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
The historic center of Tropea is a 15-minute walk away, and the town marina sits directly below the cliffs.
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The rooms
Earth tones and clean Italian furniture fill the rooms. Upper-floor windows look straight out across the sea.
The infinity pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The infinity pool sits on the lower terrace among rosemary bushes, looking along the coast toward Tropea.
Restaurant
Ristorante De’ Minimi
Eight tables look out toward the sea, where chef Emanuele Pucci serves creative Calabrian tasting menus.
Villa Paola, on a cliff overlooking the historic center of Tropea, occupies a former 16th-century convent connected to a Liberty-style villa surrounded by terraced gardens.
How it began
Built for the Order of Minims in 1543, the monastery spent decades as a leather tannery after Napoleonic reforms.
Tropea
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.