Five serene suites designed by Patricia Urquiola create a suspended experience for guests, merging the realms of sea and sky, on the island of Capri.
Brought to you by Patricia Urquiola Studio, the Revamped Jumeirah Capri Palace Revels in Capri's Soul
Step into a world where Capri's heartbeats echo in every corner, as the elegant Jumeirah Capri Palace unveils its fresh face. This stunning transformation, sketched by Patricia Urquiola Studio, showcases a nod to the island's roots, accentuating the connection, coincidence, and creative lineage that defines Capri.
Once the Hotel Europa Palace, the property got a makeover in the 1960s thanks to designer and architect Gianfranco Frattini. Urquiola, who serves as the art director for Frattini's eponymous design house since 2015, breathed a new life into five of its suites.
Jumeirah Capri Palace and Patricia Urquiola Studio: a Mediterranean love affair
"Capri's allure is intense for a myriad of reasons," says Alberto Zontone, CEO of Studio Urquiola. "Its past, present, and future resonate with us."
Capri's protracted dialogue between architecture and design served as a source of inspiration for the project, with Casa Malaparte, a seminal piece of Italian modern architecture, acting as an anchor. Malaparte has captivated various figures in the design world, such as Ettore Sottsass and Philippe Starck. Moreover, Urquiola herself finds a romantic connection to the island. The unveiling of Hand Written Stories, a collaborative effort between Urquiola and curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, occurred during the inaugural edition of Nomad Capri, back in 2017.
Jumeirah Capri Palace's reimagined suites breathe the balmy spirit of these influences. Named Mariorita, a homage to Mario Cacace's wife, the proprietor of the original Hotel Europa Palace, the project unfolds as a meditative exploration of contrast. A tranquil lounge lays the groundwork, instilling serenity with creamy whites, vibrant blues, and earthy neutrals, crafting a cozy and textured atmosphere. Terrazzo flooring pays homage to Capri's lineage, while handcrafted Vietri terracotta tiles adorn the columns.
From the Junior Suite Anacapri View to the Deluxe Suite Terrace and the highly private Suite Terrace Pool Side, each space embodies the luminous essence of the island - its organic elegance, its layered history.
To escape, visit jumeirah.com or follow our Newsletter for more design stories from around the world.
"Each suite is designed as a serene sanctuary, where tactile materials, natural light, and organic forms evoke a sense of comfort and Mediterranean sophistication," Urquiola muses.
Some suites open onto expansive terraces embracing the Bay of Naples; others frame Mount Solaro through arching windows. Nature never feels far in these spaces. Sinuous plaster walls echo the undulating waves, while indoor greenery cushions the hard edges.
Furnishings mirror the same ethos. The Erasmo pots are constructed from a sustainable cement-based mix, and Flos's Almendra lighting system, inspired by almond branches, is entirely recyclable. Meanwhile, Andreu World's Bolete armchairs are entirely compostable and biodegradable.
"The success of this project relied heavily on the mastery of local artistry, particularly the iconic Vietri tiles," says Urquiola. "However, our vision transcended tradition."
Iconic examples of this include the Torchon mirror by Venetian glass studio 6:AM, merging traditional glassblowing with modern aesthetics. In other instances, Urquiola's touch is evident in bespoke details, like the picturesque embroidered tapestry and her Simoon tables for Glas Italia, born from an exploration of sustainable possibilities in glass design.
The dialogue continues outdoors, where the pool area and open-air bar dance with the landscape. "We aimed to create a moment of elevated respite-suspended between sea and sky," Urquiola says. "This project sought to honor Capri's spirit while weaving new memories through design."
The Studio Urquiola renovation for Jumeirah Capri Palace etches a renewed lexicon for the beloved island. It preserves the tradition but transcends it, dipping its toes in innovative materials that tread more lightly on the environment.
patriciaurquiola.com
In this Mediterranean love affair, Patricia Urquiola's designs for the Jumeirah Capri Palace's suites immerse guests in a lifestyle that harmonizes with Capri's soul, seamlessly blending interior-design elements and paying homage to the island's rich home-and-garden legacy. The collaborative effort between Urquiola and other design luminaries such as Hans Ulrich Obrist captures the essence of travel to Capri, inviting visitors to create their own Hand Written Stories within this transformed sanctuary.
