The history of La Minerva began in the early 20th century, when the world was turning its attention to the beauty of Capri, when Luigi Esposito and Laura Cannavale, decided to prepare and allocate two rooms of their typical Capri home (inherited from their families as a wedding gift) to accommodating tourists and travellers. The house was not the only thing that Luigi received from his family; he in fact inherited from his father, a skilled floriculturist, a love for nature, as can be seen by the greenery and flowers that still adorn the hotel terraces. On the other hand, Laura, whose family were hotel keepers since the mid 19th century, received the love and appreciation for hospitality Laura and Luigi's home was the starting point for La Minerva.
It was set in a large terraced garden and featured two cisterns that collected rain water used to irrigate the grounds. It is said that Luigi's father Antonio made the decision to build the house there on a chilly winter morning, not only because of the sheer beauty and calm of the site, but also because of its position, naturally sheltered from the cold northern winds.
The small house soon gained renown thanks to the hospitality offered by Laura and Luigi, who over the years turned the establishment into the hotel they had dreamed of ­ and that we see today ­ through successive upward and downward extensions in complete harmony with the scenery. Today Antonio, his wife Giovanna and their son Luigi demonstrate the same enthusiastic dedication to the hotel, fully aware of their responsibility towards all guests at La Minerva, whether those who have been coming for years, or the others yet to come.