Grand Hotel Quisisana Review: Is It the Best Hotel in Capri

Few hotels on Capri carry the weight of the Grand Hotel Quisisana. Since its origins as a sanatorium in 1845, this 5-star superior property has hosted royals, film stars, and discerning travellers who expect something more than a room. This review draws on the hotel’s own historical archives, verified guest ratings from multiple platforms, and local guides to help you decide if it’s the right base for your Capri stay.

Last checked: 2026-09-05

Hotel Name: Grand Hotel Quisisana · Location: Via Camerelle 2, Capri, Italy · Year Established: 1845 as a sanatorium; opened as hotel in 1860 · Number of Rooms: 148 · Known For: Island glitz, exclusive clientele, central location · Amenities: Sauna, Turkish bath, pools with whirlpool, massage, beauty treatments, gym

What Does Quisisana Mean?

The name “Quisisana” comes from the Italian phrase qui si sana — “here one heals.” The property began as a private sanatorium for lung disease patients, founded by the English entrepreneur George Sidney Clark in 1845, according to the hotel’s official history materials. As tourism on Capri grew in the second half of the 19th century, the sanatorium was converted into a hotel, gradually becoming the island’s most famous luxury address.

The original meaning still resonates. Many guests today describe the hotel as a restorative retreat, and Italian-language travel guides such as Capri.it explicitly link the property’s healing origins to its contemporary emphasis on wellness amenities — sauna, Turkish bath, pools with whirlpool, massage, and beauty treatments.

The implication: The name is not just a historical curiosity; it anchors the hotel’s brand identity as a place of recovery and indulgence.

What Is the Nicest Hotel in Capri?

Grand Hotel Quisisana: The Glitzy Icon

With 148 rooms, the Grand Hotel Quisisana is the largest hotel on Capri. Its position at the start of Via Camerelle, steps from the Piazzetta, makes it the most walkable luxury option on the island. The official website describes the property as “a hotel synonymous with hospitality and refinement, an internationally renowned jewel,” and local guides reinforce this: Capri.com calls it “the best of Italian hospitality” and notes its proximity to the island’s main square.

On review platforms, the pattern is consistent. KAYAK reports a 9.4 / 10 rating from 425 verified ratings, with guests praising the “excellent location, attentive and professional service, and comfortable beds.” Hotels.com and Travelocity each award a 9.6 / 10, with Travelocity noting that guests highlight the stunning setting and express repeat-stay intent. TripAdvisor’s larger sample of 1,244 reviews yields a 4.4 / 5, with reviewers consistently mentioning spacious rooms, cleanliness, and professional staff — balanced against notes of high prices for extras.

The pattern: The Quisisana earns near-universal praise for location and service across every major OTA, though TripAdvisor’s broader pool surfaces more cost-conscious critiques.

Grand Hotel Quisisana vs. Other Luxury Hotels on Capri

Each competitor offers a different trade-off. Hotel Caesar Augustus in Anacapri trades walkability for sweeping sea views from its cliffside infinity pool. Capri Tiberio Palace leans into contemporary design and a dedicated wellness programme. Hotel Luna Capri is smaller and more intimate, better suited to couples seeking quiet luxury. The Quisisana’s advantage remains its centrality — you can step out of the lobby and be on Via Camerelle or at the Piazzetta in under five minutes, something no other luxury property on the island matches.

The bottom line: If being in the centre of the action is your priority, the Quisisana has no direct competitor. If you prefer dramatic views or a quieter setting, one of the three alternatives may suit better.

Where Do the Rich Stay in Capri?

The Celebrity Connection at Grand Hotel Quisisana

The hotel’s own history materials emphasise its long relationship with high-profile guests. Since the late 19th century, writers, aristocrats, and Hollywood figures have stayed here. The official narrative foregrounds “exclusive clientele” and “island glitz,” while Italian-language travel guides repeat this framing, describing the Quisisana as “the centre of Capri” and the Quisi Bar terrace as a signature experience for people-watching.

English-language reviews on TripAdvisor and Expedia corroborate this reputation. One Expedia reviewer named Salvatore called it the “nicest hotel in Capri located in the heart of the town.” The hotel’s Instagram presence also leans into celebrity associations, though specific names are not consistently documented in the sources we reviewed.

Why this matters: If your goal is to stay where the rich and famous have traditionally chosen, the Quisisana’s track record is unmatched on the island.

Can You Just Walk Around Capri?

Location and Walkability from Grand Hotel Quisisana

Yes — and the Quisisana’s location makes it the best-placed hotel for doing so. The hotel sits at Via Camerelle 2, just off the Piazzetta, Capri’s main square. From the front door you can reach the Piazzetta in about two minutes on foot, the Gardens of Augustus in 10 minutes, and the chairlift to Monte Solaro within 15 minutes. Via Camerelle itself is the island’s luxury shopping street, with high-end boutiques immediately outside the hotel.

The same guide describes the hotel as “starting at the very beginning of Via Camerelle, just a few steps from the Piazzetta,” reinforcing that guests rarely need a taxi or bus for daily exploration. The island’s core is compact — most visitors can walk the main circuit (Piazzetta, Via Camerelle, Gardens of Augustus, and back) in under an hour.

The catch: The walkability advantage applies only to Capri town. Reaching Anacapri, the Blue Grotto, or the Faraglioni rocks requires transport — either the local bus, a taxi, or a boat excursion.

Pros & Cons of Grand Hotel Quisisana

Best For: Which Traveller Should Book?

Ultra-Luxury & Celebrities

The Quisisana’s history and reputation draw a crowd that expects a certain level of glamour. The Quisi Bar terrace, described by Capri.it as a meeting point for the island’s stylish set, confirms this orientation. If you want to be seen and to people-watch, this is the place.

Romantic Couples

The spa amenities — sauna, Turkish bath, massage treatments — plus the central location for sunset walks to the Gardens of Augustus make it a strong choice for couples. However, couples seeking complete seclusion may prefer the quieter Hotel Luna Capri or the view-focused Caesar Augustus.

Design & Boutique Lovers

If contemporary design is your priority, the Quisisana’s traditional luxury interiors may feel more classic than cutting-edge. Capri Tiberio Palace, with its curated design and dedicated wellness programme, is a better fit for this segment.

Pricing Band

Grand Hotel Quisisana operates at the highest price tier on Capri. OTA listings suggest that standard rooms in peak season (July–August) typically command a significant premium over shoulder-season rates (May, June, September), while suites and sea-view rooms cost more again. We do not have verified off-season rates, and prices vary dramatically by room category and booking window.

Because Capri has no airport and the hotel is not on a direct booking system we verified, we recommend checking Hotels.com or KAYAK for live rates.

Alternatives on Capri

• Hotel Caesar Augustus — Cliffside location in Anacapri, 49 rooms, panoramic infinity pool, comparable price to Quisisana. Best for views and quiet.
• Capri Tiberio Palace — 74 rooms, design-led interiors, wellness focus. Slightly lower price point. Best for couples and spa lovers.
• Hotel Luna Capri — 36 rooms, 4-star superior, near Piazzetta. More affordable and intimate. Best for boutique fans.

For more Italian luxury hotel reviews, see Grand Hotel Tremezzo: What to Know Before You Book or Hotel Residence Amalfi Review: Rooftop Bar & Breakfast.

“A hotel synonymous with hospitality and refinement, an internationally renowned jewel.”

– Grand Hotel Quisisana, official hotel copy

“Since 1981 the Grand Hotel Quisisana has been managed by the Morgano family.”

– Grand Hotel Quisisana, official hotel history page

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• Grand Hotel Quisisana official website
• Grand Hotel Quisisana history page
• TripAdvisor listing for Grand Hotel Quisisana
• Hotels.com listing for Grand Hotel Quisisana
• KAYAK listing for Grand Hotel Quisisana
• Travelocity listing for Grand Hotel Quisisana
• Expedia listing for Grand Hotel Quisisana
• Capri.it travel guide
• Capri.com travel guide