Luxury Villa Excelsior Parco is an 11-room Art Nouveau boutique hotel built in 1906 on the ruins of an ancient Roman villa in Capri, Italy. This guide covers its history, room types, prices, and the details you need before booking a stay in 2026.
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What Is the History Behind Luxury Villa Excelsior Parco?
Luxury Villa Excelsior Parco was built in 1906 on the ruins of an ancient Roman residence in Capri’s San Costanzo area, directly facing the well-known Villa Torricella. The original owners, the Ambrogi family, commissioned the building in the Art Nouveau style that defined early 20th-century European architecture.
The property preserves 2 physical traces of its Roman past: an Egyptian alabaster column and a wide staircase, both still visible at the entrance today. These details connect a 120-year-old boutique hotel to a far older layer of the island’s history.
How the Villa Changed Names and Owners Over Time
To trace the villa’s name changes, start with 1926, when Omero Ambrogi converted the residence into Hotel Il Parco under management by Alfredo Lucibello. After World War II, the property was renamed Hotel Excelsior Parco and expanded to 30 rooms by 1960 under owner Luigi Petagna, before later passing to Ermanno Petagna.
Why the Villa Honors Villa Torricella and Villa Lysis
The villa pays tribute to 2 of Capri’s most storied addresses through its suite names and design choices. Villa Torricella, visible from the sea with its eclectic arabesque decoration, and Villa Lysis, the early 1900s retreat of French poet Adelsward Fersen, both inspired the Deluxe Torricella and Deluxe Fersen suites inside Excelsior Parco.
What Defines the Villa’s Art Nouveau Design
The villa’s Art Nouveau design relies on floral stucco mouldings, sinuous decorative shapes, and blue majolica tiles that echo the colors of the Capri sky and sea. These details earned the property recognition as one of the island’s finest examples of Liberty style architecture, the Italian variant of Art Nouveau that flourished in the early 20th century.
Each of the 11 rooms carries its own combination of these elements, so no 2 spaces repeat the same color palette or furnishing arrangement. This room-by-room individuality sets the villa apart from larger hotels that standardize décor across floors.
What Room Types Does Excelsior Parco Offer?
Excelsior Parco offers 11 individually designed rooms across 6 categories, ranging from compact garden-view rooms to a 288-square-meter (3,100-square-foot) suite.
| Room Type | Size | Key Feature |
| Classic Garden View | 22-24 sqm (237-258 sq ft) | Private garden outlook |
| Deluxe Garden View | 26-35 sqm (280-377 sq ft) | Outdoor jacuzzi on select rooms |
| Deluxe Sea View | 26-33 sqm (280-355 sq ft) | Terrace facing the Bay of Naples |
| Sea View Jacuzzi | 21-30 sqm (226-323 sq ft) | Private outdoor jacuzzi with sea view |
| Deluxe Fersen Suite | 26 sqm (280 sq ft) | Tribute to poet Adelsward Fersen |
| The 1906 Suite | 288 sqm (3,100 sq ft) | Largest suite, sea view terrace and jacuzzi |
How to Choose Between Garden View and Sea View
To choose between garden view and sea view, weigh quiet privacy against panoramic outlook. Garden view rooms face the villa’s private gardens and tend to feel more secluded, while sea view rooms and suites open onto terraces overlooking the Bay of Naples and Tyrrhenian Sea.
What Makes the 1906 Suite Different
The 1906 Suite spans 288 square meters (3,100 square feet), making it more than 10 times larger than the smallest Classic Garden View room. The suite includes a private sea-view terrace and an outdoor jacuzzi, positioning it as the villa’s flagship accommodation for special occasions.
What Facilities and Dining Does the Villa Provide?
Excelsior Parco provides a seasonal outdoor pool, a garden bar, a restaurant serving organic and local specialties, and a free electric shuttle to Marina Grande and the Piazzetta. The restaurant’s farm-to-table breakfast can be enjoyed in the gardens or served privately on a guest’s terrace.
3 Eco-Sustainability Practices Worth Noting
- Electric vehicles power the villa’s shuttle service to reduce local emissions
- Organic raw materials are used throughout the kitchen wherever possible
- Local sourcing supports Capri’s agricultural producers instead of imported ingredients
How the Concierge Team Arranges Private Experiences
The concierge team arranges private boat tours to hidden coves, sunset excursions beneath the Faraglioni rock formations, and recommendations for the island’s finest restaurants. Guests can also request cooking classes, hiking routes, taxi tours, and personal training sessions through the same desk.
How the Villa Keeps Capri’s Cultural Tradition Alive
The villa keeps Capri’s cultural tradition alive through an annual event series called Conversations at Sunset, organized in partnership with the Centro Caprense Ignazio Cerio. The series revives a century-old pattern, since the original villa once drew artists and intellectuals who gathered there to discuss art, culture, and philosophy against the backdrop of the Gulf of Naples.
How Much Does a Stay at Excelsior Parco Cost?
Average nightly rates at Excelsior Parco run from $383 to $705, with the exact price depending on room category, season, and how far in advance you book.
Rates fluctuate sharply by season, since the villa closes annually between December 1 and mid-February. Booking 3 to 6 months ahead for peak summer dates typically secures better availability across the sea view jacuzzi rooms, which sell out first.
3 Factors That Move the Nightly Rate Most
- Room category, with sea view jacuzzi suites priced well above garden view rooms
- Season, since July and August command the highest demand on Capri
- Booking channel, as the villa’s own website guarantees its best available rate
How Do You Get to Excelsior Parco From Naples?
To reach Excelsior Parco from Naples, take a 50-minute ferry to Capri’s Marina Grande port, then use the villa’s free shuttle for the short transfer uphill. The hotel sits roughly halfway between Marina Grande and Capri’s famous Piazzetta square.
3 Steps for a Smooth Arrival
- Book a ferry from Naples or Sorrento to Marina Grande, Capri’s main port
- Contact the hotel ahead of arrival to confirm shuttle pickup instructions
- Allow extra time in July and August, when port traffic peaks with day-trip visitors
Why the Villa’s Location Balances Access and Quiet
The villa’s location balances easy access with relative quiet, since it sits a 15-minute walk from Capri’s village center yet outside the busiest tourist flow around the Piazzetta. This positioning lets guests reach shops and restaurants on foot while still returning to a calmer garden setting each evening.
What Awards and Recognition Has the Villa Earned?
Excelsior Parco has won Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best award every year from 2012 to 2024, and it ranks 5th among small hotels in Italy and 2nd among luxury hotels in Italy on Tripadvisor’s rankings.
On Booking.com, recent guest reviews place the property at a 9.8 rating, reflecting consistent praise for staff service, breakfast quality, and the upgraded jacuzzi-terrace rooms that reviewers frequently mention.
What Guests Praise Most in Reviews
- Staff service described repeatedly as warm, attentive, and family-like
- Breakfast quality, with organic pastries, eggs, and cheese served daily
- Room upgrades, including unexpected jacuzzi-terrace assignments
- Shuttle efficiency between the villa and Marina Grande port
When Is the Best Time to Visit Excelsior Parco?
The best time to visit Excelsior Parco runs from late spring through early autumn, since the villa closes entirely between December 1 and mid-February. May, June, and September offer milder temperatures and lighter crowds than the July-August peak season.
How Seasonal Closure Affects Booking Strategy
Seasonal closure means winter weddings or off-season getaways are not an option at this property, unlike year-round hotels on the mainland. Guests planning a Capri trip outside the open season should look to nearby Sorrento or Naples instead, then visit Capri as a day trip.
What Attractions Sit Near Excelsior Parco?
Excelsior Parco sits within easy reach of 3 of Capri’s defining landmarks: the Piazzetta, Marina Grande, and the cliffside Villa Torricella visible from the property itself. This central position lets guests combine villa relaxation with island sightseeing on the same day.
3 Short Excursions Guests Book Most
- A boat tour around the Faraglioni sea stacks, Capri’s most photographed natural landmark
- A walk through the Piazzetta, the island’s social hub for coffee and people-watching
- A visit to the Gardens of Augustus, a short taxi ride from the villa with panoramic cliff views
Quick-Reference Checklist for Planning Your Stay
Use this table to track the 7 tasks that matter most when planning a visit, from booking through arrival and on-site experiences.
| Task | Timing | Method | Difficulty |
| Book a sea view jacuzzi suite | 3-6 months ahead | Direct site booking for best rate | Medium |
| Arrange Marina Grande shuttle | On arrival day | Free electric shuttle, contact reception | Easy |
| Reserve a private boat tour | 1-2 weeks ahead | Concierge desk request | Easy |
| Check seasonal closure dates | Before booking | Confirm Dec 1 to mid-Feb closure | Easy |
| Plan a Faraglioni sunset tour | 2-3 days ahead | Concierge-arranged private boat | Medium |
| Walk to the Piazzetta | Anytime during stay | 15-minute walk or shuttle | Easy |
| Attend a cultural event | Check seasonal calendar | Ask concierge about Conversations at Sunset | Easy |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Excelsior Parco directly on the beach?
No. Excelsior Parco sits above Marina Grande port with sea views from its terraces, but it is not a beachfront property. Guests reach the shoreline and beach areas via the villa’s free shuttle service.
Does Excelsior Parco stay open year-round?
No. The villa closes annually between December 1 and mid-February, reopening for the spring and summer travel season. Always confirm exact dates directly with the hotel before booking off-peak travel.
Are all 11 rooms uniquely designed?
Yes. Each of the 11 rooms features individually chosen Art Nouveau furnishings, with no 2 rooms sharing identical décor, color schemes, or layout.
Can you book a private boat tour through the hotel?
Yes. The concierge team arranges private boat tours to hidden coves and sunset excursions beneath the Faraglioni rock formations on request, typically with 1 to 2 weeks of advance notice.
What is the average nightly rate at Excelsior Parco?
Average nightly rates range from $383 to $705, depending on room category, season, and booking channel. Sea view jacuzzi rooms and the 1906 Suite command the highest rates.
Final Thoughts on Booking Luxury Villa Excelsior Parco
Luxury Villa Excelsior Parco rewards travelers who value history, craftsmanship, and sea views over high-volume resort amenities. Its 120-year story, individually designed rooms, and consistent Tripadvisor recognition make it a strong choice for a Capri stay built around quiet luxury rather than crowds.
