History of Relais Maresca
The Relais Maresca is a piece of history of Capri island particularly of Marina Grande with its beautiful beach and closeness to the port.
The building, dated 1876, is one of the oldest and it's the hotel that changed name the most between all of the hotels in the Capri island.
It was born as a private home of american colonel John Clay Mackowen of New Orleans, who came to Capri in april of 1875.
Then it became an hotel for the first time in 1883 under the name of 'Hotel Bristol' with a reastaurant working as 'Stanford Restaurant du Louvre'.
Around 1887 the Hotel Bristol started a collaboration with the then famous Hotel Pagano and later on with the Hotel Quisisana (1892), to satisfy the ever growing demand for an hotel with easy access to the beach.
In 1896 changed its name in 'Hotel du Louvre' and in 1902 became 'Alexandra-Miramare' with 14 rooms and new management under danish native Frido von Meyeren. The restaurant served scandinavian cuisine and with a private beach used to host a mostly german clientele.
In 1908 changed again into'Hotel Vesuvio' under new owner Giulia Cimino, doughter of the Colonel Mackowen and married to Giovanni Maresca, member of a wealthy family from Sorrento. Mario Maresca (1908-2000), son of Giovanni e Giulia, inherited the building. After World War I the hotel became 'Hotel Royal' which in 1926 had 24 beds. Again in 1928 became 'Hotel MercedÏ Maison Bleue' until 1937 when took on the name of 'Hotel Maresca', and with a series of restructurings over the years, is now offering 27 rooms with a high profile service.
