Set above the Gulf of Naples, in the very heart of Sorrento, Ara Maris Hotel & Spa is redefining modern Mediterranean luxury through a rare combination of contemporary design, destination-led gastronomy and a deeply atmospheric wellness offering.
Ara Maris is Sorrento’s only fully design-led, contemporary boutique hotel, offering an elegant counterpoint to the Amalfi Coast’s more traditional hospitality landscape. Opened in 2024 and entering a pivotal new chapter for 2026, Ara Maris is Sorrento’s only adults-only hotel (welcoming guests aged 10+), featuring just 49 rooms and suites and offering an intimate, refined environment rooted in calm, privacy and a strong sense of place.
A Contemporary Design Landmark in Sorrento
Designed by Milan-based studio Spagnulo & Partners, Ara Maris is rooted in a unified design vision where architecture, interiors and landscape form a single narrative.
The façade reinterprets the language of 1960s Italian modernism — with subtle references to Gio Ponti — through geometric panels that come alive after dark via a carefully choreographed lighting system. This architectural rhythm carries through the interiors in bespoke ceramics, custom furnishings and recurring material motifs.
Italian craftsmanship is central throughout: handmade ceramics by Giovanni De Maio, matte nautical-inspired woods by Listone Giordano, custom furniture by Molteni, lighting by Panzeri, and a “proper spa” equipped with Technogym technology. Bronze detailing, natural stone flooring and blue ceramic installations lend warmth and tactility, while imperfections are embraced as part of the hotel’s material honesty.
At the heart of the property lies an elliptical swimming pool set within nearly 2,000 square metres of gardens — a rare, tranquil oasis in central Sorrento. A rooftop sky bar crowns the hotel, framing uninterrupted views across the Gulf and delivering one of the area’s most atmospheric sunset settings.
Art also plays a defining role, with public spaces conceived as evolving gallery environments. In collaboration with Orma Art, Ara Maris hosts rotating exhibitions that explore Mediterranean identity through contemporary Italian artists, reinforcing the hotel’s position as a cultural as well as hospitality destination.
A New Culinary Vision, Led by Michelin-Starred Talent
For 2026, Ara Maris unveils a new culinary direction with the appointment of Chef Luigi Lionetti as Executive Chef, following his acclaimed success at the iconic Punta Tragara in Capri, and marking a major milestone in the hotel’s evolution.
A chef deeply connected to Campania and the Sorrentine Peninsula, Lionetti brings with him decades of experience, including the achievement and stewardship of a Michelin star in 2020. Having lived between Sorrento and Capri for over 18 years, his return to the Peninsula is both personal and purposeful.
His vision for Ara Maris centres on authentic luxury: cuisine that is generous yet precise, expressive yet grounded in tradition, and always focused on the guest. Across the hotel’s culinary spaces, menus will champion the exceptional raw materials of the region. Think sun-ripened tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, Sorrento’s braided mozzarella, local dairy products, citrus fruits, seasonal vegetables and the daily catch from the Gulf.
At Lumi Sky Lounge, guests can expect a refined aperitivo and tapas-style experience designed to complement the hotel’s extraordinary panoramic setting, with small plates, shareable dishes and sunset rituals taking centre stage, rather than a traditional sit-down dinner format. The restaurant below offers a more creative and expressive interpretation of Campanian and Sorrentine cuisine. Throughout, long-standing relationships with local producers and fishermen ensure a genuine connection between territory and table.
Step by step, and without compromise, Chef Lionetti’s ambition is to establish Ara Maris as one of the Peninsula’s most compelling culinary addresses, not by competing with the region’s history, but by adding a confident new chapter to it.
Thala Spa: A Mediterranean Wellness Sanctuary
Wellness at Ara Maris is anchored by Thala Spa, a fully fledged destination spa inspired by the Mediterranean and conceived as an immersive sensory journey rather than a purely technical offering.
Named after thalassa, the Greek word for sea, the spa unfolds as a modern sanctuary shaped by coastal light, marine fragrances and natural textures. In a destination renowned for luxury wellness, Thala Spa distinguishes itself through a clear Mediterranean identity and a contemporary, design-led approach.
Signature treatments include the Red Coral Signature Ritual, inspired by Tui Na and Shiatsu techniques and incorporating coral elements sourced from Torre del Greco, historically associated with coral craftsmanship. Other highlights include the Sunny Massage, a summer-inspired exfoliating ritual, and the Lemon Massage, using oil derived from local Sorrento lemons in homage to the Peninsula’s citrus heritage.
Ara Maris works with select Italian wellness brands, including Herbelia, an artisanal, Made-in-Italy skincare house based near Naples, alongside internationally recognised names such as Bakel. Looking ahead to 2026, the spa will introduce the Venice Head Spa multifunctional bed, integrating Japanese head spa technology with advanced holistic treatments.
Wellness extends beyond the treatment rooms, with guests invited to combine spa rituals with poolside yoga, fitness experiences and carefully curated arrival treatments designed to ease the transition into relaxation from the moment they arrive.
Rediscovering Sorrento
As travellers increasingly look beyond the Amalfi Coast’s busiest enclaves, Sorrento is emerging as a destination in its own right — offering a compelling mix of gastronomy, culture, coastal beauty and year-round vibrancy.
Perfectly positioned with excellent connections to Capri, Pompeii and the wider Campania region, Ara Maris allows guests to experience Southern Italy with depth and authenticity, without sacrificing ease or elegance.
For 2026, Ara Maris invites travellers to rediscover Sorrento through a new lens — one defined by contemporary design, elevated cuisine, meaningful wellness and a confident sense of place.
Dining and Cooking