Reviews of Villa Astra

Self catering apartment in Praiano, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Martin D.

Northbridge

Australia

VERIFIED

Fantastic

July 2023 - Great location, very close to bus transport, views. Plenty of terracing. Pool is a little distant and shared with other properties but still useful after a hot day out.

Melissa R.

Amsterdam

Netherlands

VERIFIED

This house is incredible!

June 2023 - Just steps from a bus stop with the most beautiful views and patios. There are restaurants and convenience stores that are walk-able from the house as well.

The house's pool was so much fun and my kids really enjoyed it. The air conditioning in the bedrooms was wonderful as well.

The communication about the house was easy and we felt supported while we were there. Highly recommend!

Everyone was great at Summer In Italy!

John N.

Los Angeles, CA

United States

VERIFIED

Excellent

June 2023 - We immediately fell in love with Praiano and Villa Astra.

My husband and I celebrated our first anniversary in this lovely home with its vast, breathtaking views. We wanted something out of the way from busy tourist areas -- a place with quiet beauty where we could experience local culture of the Amalfi Coast. Villa Astra provided just that.

Each day we could see children playing in the town square by the church, with the beautiful bells tolling (they only ring during the day). We loved the market close by where we purchased locally grown veggies and eggs that we prepared in the well-equipped kitchen. Have I mentioned the views???? There are family gardens viewable from the windows and the light echo of roosters crowing from high above on the hill. I honestly cried when we left. We highly recommend Villa Astra.

The landlord, Salvatore, treated us like family and we immediately grew to love him.

We loved Summer In Italy website and the service you provided. You were so responsive and provided a personal touch. Thank you!!

Travel tips

  • Our favorite restaurant on all of the coast is Restaurant M’Ama just a flight of stairs away and there's a lovely pizzeria right next to that.
  • We also liked Restaurant La Strada and Trattoria San Gennaro.
  • We utilized Benvenuto car service for a driving tour of the coast including Ravello (incredible town) -- they were amazing.
  • We took a boat tour with Francesco to Capri (we honestly could have skipped Capri but the boat ride was amazing).

Daphne W.

Picketts Valley

Australia

VERIFIED

Fantastic

September 2022 - We had a lovely time at Villa Astra. Many alternative terraces to lounge on and lots of space to spread out.

Travel tips

  • Very handy for the local red bus that runs around Praiano - the stop is a level 10-meter walk that is suitable for the elderly.
  • Restaurants are happy to provide a lift home, if booked in advance.
  • Gennaro in town runs a convenient mini-bus/car service and drives at a gentle pace!

Margarie H.

Toms River, New Jersey

United States

VERIFIED

Very good

August 2022 - Had a wonderful stay at Villa Astra. The villa is in a good location with incomparable views.

Travel tips

  • Make sure you have Euro ahead of time as bank machines are scarce and market down the road does not accept credit cards.

Nicholas

London, United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Great views and great value

August 2022 - Amazing Villa! The balcony has one of the best views ever! And the rooms were good size.

The location is a little high up so be prepared to walk, but the villa was perfect. Great value.

Andrew

Huddersfield, United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Spectacular home!

October 2019 - Such a beautiful property! Outstanding views and in a lovely quiet part of Praiano.

Serena

Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R.

VERIFIED

Pretty and clean

September 2019 - A beautiful villa with mesmerizing views! The villa is one of the prettiest I've ever stayed at and kept clean.

Kathryn

Saskatoon, Canada

VERIFIED

Well located and recommended

August 2019 - The villa is well located and has a spectacular view.

We enjoyed walking to great restaurants nearby and relaxing on the patio. We had breakfast in the garden each morning. So pretty!

Would definitely recommend!

Travel tips

  • We did laundry which worked well.

Percy

Bethesda, MD, United States

VERIFIED

Had an amazing time

August 2019 - Villa Astra was fantastic. It has an amazing view and best way to begin a relaxing vacation. Enjoy the pool, the sun and the view. My family and I had an amazing time

. We can't recommend it enough, we are already thinking about coming back next year...

Paul

Shelton, CT, United States

VERIFIED

Great location, responsive staff

August 2019 - Great location and views. Clean place and housekeeping staff were very responsive.

Blake

Naples, Italy

VERIFIED

Worth the money!

June 2019 - An absolutely amazing view and very nice villa.

Everything was great, totally worth the money.

Dan F.

Melbourne

Australia

VERIFIED

Fantastic

Travel tips

  • It is worth speaking to the tourist information people to get the pathway to the Sentiero degli Dei written out on a map. It is very accessible from the villa and a great walk.
  • We took the option of a boat to Capri one day which also worked well (pick up from the villa and departure from nearby beach). This was recommended by the manager and there are brochures in the property.
  • We sourced most simple food and groceries from the local shops - the ones in town had a wider range than the one next to the villa (which was still fine for simple produce) and they were very happy to deliver the shopping bags up the hill to the villa. We stopped at a large supermarket on a day trip to Pompeii for a big shop.
  • We didn't have a bad meal in Praiano. The favorite was La Strada. M'Ama was very good. The simple food at the closest restaurants was also great for more casual dining or takeaway (Il Rifugio and Che Bonta Gastronomia, the latter where all the locals seem to get their takeaway pizza).

Alan G.

East Brisbane

Australia

VERIFIED

Excellent

September 2018 - The villa suited our circumstances extremely well. The "manager" was excellent in assisting us to access eating and entertainment events as well as being friendly and courteous. Overall our experience was wonderful. Proximity to the local bus was excellent and access to the villa perfect.

Strong points for the villa are its easy access particularly for older visitors and the local bus at the door makes Villa Astra one of the best destinations in Praiano.

Travel tips

  • Villa Astra is very easy to access and offers a quiet relaxing atmosphere.
  • Remember to bring mosquito repellent as in anywhere in the Amalfi coast.
  • Be sure to visit local areas and the concerts in Ravello. The restaurant Villa Maria in Ravello is worth a Michelin accreditation.
  • Take the boat trip to Capri although the island itself needs only one short visit.

Sandra E.

Laren (gld)

Netherlands

VERIFIED

Excellent

August 2018 - We did enjoy Villa Astra very much. The view is incredible, and the location in the middle of Praiano, with the church nearby with the lovely sound of the bells, the sounds of the Italian family's in the surrounding houses, the music played almost every night at the piazza we will never forget. And then the beautiful garden, were we had breakfast in the shadow, the swimming pool for the kids, not large but very cool and clean. The house was clean too.

The manager Saverio was very kind and helpful and the car could be parked in a garage nearby.

The kitchen was very basic but we did not need more. There were shops nearby were you can find anything you need and there are very good restaurants in Praiano.

Keep on doing it the way you do it now! You were very helpful and kind during our communication. It was for us a last minute vacation and we had very little time to search a location but it was no problem for you. The communication via email was very quick and easy and very clear. If we go to Italy again we will certainly book again with you and we will advice you to all our friends. Thanks for all your help and we hope to contact you again soon.

Travel tips

  • The bus is an very good alternative for the car because parking is difficult almost everywhere but the schedule of the bus is something you must take notice of because the times can be irregular.
  • The supermarket nearby has everything you need and for a good meal we recommend Restaurant La Strada with a beautiful view and very good food.
  • The sight is almost everywhere beautiful and we can certainly recommend a boat trip with Antonio.

Frédéric B.

Pontcharra

France

VERIFIED

Excellent

August 2018 - We all enjoyed staying at this villa very much.

People have been very nice and helpful and the villa is perfectly situated.

Travel tips

  • Using buses to go to Praiano center or beach or to Amalfi or Positano.
  • The Sentiero degli Dei to go to Positano by foot is really very nice but only for people in very good shape.

Jay L.

Richmond Hill

Canada

VERIFIED

Excellent

June 2018 - The Villa was beautiful. It was well equipped with kitchen utensils, dishes, pots and pans. The location was ideal. It was wonderful and we would recommend it to everyone and perhaps even a return trip!!

Your services were wonderful and made planning our trip from another country much easier. I felt more secure knowing that your service was there and if there were any problems you were available to help. Thank you!!! :)

Travel tips

  • Enjoy yourselves. The market Tutto x Tutti is very convenient and well stocked.

David D.

Crowton

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Excellent

Travel tips

  • This applies to the coast generally, not just here. Don't hire a car! The roads (and the drivers!) are so difficult that getting around is quite stressful and the bus/taxi/boat systems work well.

Anna C.

Eksel

Belgium

VERIFIED

Excellent

Travel tips

  • For a holiday like this you've to be in good shape (many stairs).
  • Living in a village among the locals is an extra benefit.

Christine G.

Franklin Lakes, New Jersey

United States

VERIFIED

Excellent

July 2017 - We all loved Villa Astra.

Praiano is a great location away from the more touristy towns of Amalfi and Positano but close enough to enjoy their restaurants and shopping.

We were happily surprised that the festival at the church occurred our first weekend. Fireworks over the villa, procession of musicians, street vendors -- a wonderful local experience.

Travel tips

  • We chartered a small boat for a day to take us to Capri -- stopped for swimming several times, restaurant on island, shopping on island. Best day we had.
  • Don't try to drive a large vehicle locally -- very scary -- small car ok.
  • Take the local bus when possible.
  • We spent a day on the beach at Hotel Tritone -- was great.

Alistair S.

Effingham

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Excellent

August 2016 - Excellent location and the views were awesome.

Plenty of space and well equipped.

The villa exceeded our expectations... thanks a lot.

Travel tips

  • Sit in the garden and relax and don't bother using the car!

Peter S.

Haymarket, VA

United States

VERIFIED

Excellent

Travel tips

  • No need for a car -- the public transportation was readily available and inexpensive.
  • Be sure to shop at the local Alimentari 100 meters down the street and be sure to visit the larger market -- Il Tutto per Tutti.

Brian R.

Bray

Ireland

VERIFIED

Excellent

January 2016 - We loved the place. Mr. Saverio [the caretaker] was very helpful.

Cheryl M.

Fountainville, PA

United States

VERIFIED

Excellent

September 2015 - We loved our stay at Villa Astra. We thought the location of the villa was excellent. The views were incredible! We were located adjacent to a piazza and church, which was full of activity in the early evenings. We happened to really enjoy that. There were children playing an assortment of games, parents socializing with neighbors, and the elderly visiting with their friends. The clock tower on the church also chimed every 15 minutes 24/7 which we also loved.

Villa Astra was very clean. The master bath was lovely. Beds were a little hard for me but that is my taste. Furnishings pretty basic but the kitchen was charming. The kitchen had more than enough dinnerware, silverware, cups, and wine glasses. The frying pans were a very small, but it was ok since we just did breakfast in. Made frying sausages take longer to do.

The setting was gorgeous. Views were just incredible. Couldn't ask for more. There were a couple of large patios which overlooked the water as per the website. The pool area was tiny so that there is no room to lay out right around the pool. There is a laundry room which is very nicely outfitted with an ironing board and iron. There were instructions in English, though it took a while for us to figure the washer out. There was also a drying rack for us to use.

The villa came with a car garage which we were able to lock. That was a great thing to have in Praiano, or anywhere on the Amalfi coast. If we were going to stay in Praiano for the evening, we would just take a bus down into town for dinner. The bus stop was right outside our villa.

We would not hesitate to stay at Villa Astra again for a future trip to the Amalfi coast. Loved it!

Summer In Italy was wonderful to deal with. Thank you for your flexibility regarding our payments. Since we were sharing the villa with our English friends it made it much easier that we paid each of our portions with our own credit card.

Travel tips

  • There was a bus stop right outside our villa which went from Positano to Marina di Praia in Praiano. If you needed to get to other points on the coast you would have to get a different bus.
  • We had a rental car which was great but it is difficult with the narrow roads.
  • We went exploring all over the coast. Paestum, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Ravello, Amalfi, etc. So much to see and do.
  • Two of our favorite restaurants in Praiano were La Brace, and La Strada.
  • There were a few tiny markets in town, one being down the street from the villa. The one down the street being the smallest in town that we saw.
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EUR 800

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