Amalfi Coast
Sorrento Coast
Tuscany
Cilento National Park
Lake Como
Rome and Latium
Umbria
Capri and Ischia
Venice
Puglia (Apulia)
Liguria
Sicily
Lake Maggiore
Lombardy
Sardinia
Lake Garda
Abruzzo and Marche
CalabriaReviews of Villa Adonia
Vacation villa rental in Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy
Grant G.
Gold Coast
Australia
Excellent
September 2013 - Absolutely stunning, the Villa was everything we were promised and so much more. It was built in 1890 as the watch tower for Positano so the views are second to none. The photos do not do it justice, it's much better in the flesh... Our only regret was that we should have rented it for 2 weeks not one.
The position of the Villa is up high and there are about 600 steps down to the beach... No problem going down, however we'd suggest catching the bus back up. The bus comes every 1/2 hour and is quite cheap and very packed, but you soon get used to that. The Bar Internazionale is about 40 meters away and is a great place for coffee, snacks and pastries (the coffee is only 1.60 euro. There are also great little restaurants close to the villa.
We would fully recommend this villa and fully recommend Positano... It's a beautiful part of the world.
Travel tips
- Make sure you hire a private boat one day and go to the Isle of Capri, the Blue Grotto and the Green Grotto, a sensational trip and cost about 90 euro each for 8 people, that includes all your drinks, the boat we had was Madame from Positano Boats which is located on the beach... A great day weather you like boating or not.
Bonnie M.
Palos Verdes Estates, California
United States
Very good
July 2013 - We had a great time. The Villa worked out well for our family. The town and the coast were beautiful and we have many happy memories of our stay there.
Travel tips
- Although we were aware there were a lot of steps to the beach/town center, we weren't prepared for the difficulty. There was a lot of huffing and puffing going up the stairs for the first few days until we started utilizing the bus, then we would only walk back up to the Villa if we wanted a challenge.
Arlene W.
Victoria
Australia
Fantastic
July 2013 - Very good property for a group as multiple levels so group can be together in living areas but have quiet space as well.
Kitchen is at bottom level and while perfectly functional, food needs to be transported to get the value of views on higher levels.
Service was very good and I would use this service again.
Travel tips
- Local shops are very good with excellent provisions and friendly to visitors. These are only a few metres from he house and easily accessible if there are mobility concerns.
- We booked a driver to and from Rome. On the return trip we had a visit to Pompeii which worked well. We booked the same driver for a day trip that covered the coast and Ravello.
Sandra S.
Atlanta, Georgia
United States
Excellent
June 2013 - Beautiful villa perfectly located for ease and access to Positano and the neighboring towns.
As with the town, there are also many steps in the house but worthwhile for the views and comfort.
We enjoyed our stay very at Villa Adonia much.
Travel tips
- Bar Internazionale for morning espresso, lunch sandwiches to go and late night bar cap. Great place to watch the comings and goings of the town.
- Rent your own boat and motor down the coast to a private cove. The smaller beach is better.
- Go visit Stefania (the property manager) in Praiano for dinner.
- Day trip to Capri and take an open air taxi.
- Next 2 was our favorite restaurant in Positano.
- Walk the path of the Gods in Nocelle.
Trudy J.
Uxbridge
Canada
Excellent
September 2012 - Picturesque setting, gorgeous views of Positano and the coast. Central location, very convenient access to bus transportation and groceries. We loved our stay at Villa Adonia and felt immediately home in this gracious, immaculate historic villa. Would highly recommend it.
The villa is set out over 4 levels, so being comfortable with lots of stair walking is a must.
There are not enough compliments to describe this place.
We visited at the end of September
Travel tips
- Would be useful to pack zip lock storage bags, chip clips etc if you intend to bring groceries in.
Tom S.
Silver Spring, MD
United States
Excellent
September 2011 - We really enjoyed the villa. The location is excellent. Right near the Bar Internazionale which is the central point for all buses and cabs and a great place to meet.
The bedrooms are great and the villa fit 8 people very comfortably.
The views are spectacular! Positano in general was also a great location since it was somewhat centrally located on the Amalfi Coast.
I was a little bit worried about choosing a villa over the Internet and not seeing it but it turned our great and you were very helpful in getting us from Naples airport to Ischia and to Positano. Excellent job. Thanks.
Travel tips
- You have to do the 1700 steps to Montepertuso! This is a must. The views are great and the restaurant at the top is fantastic.
- Be sure to venture out of Positano to all the other villages. The local and SITA buses are great for getting around. Don't bring a car, no parking and the roads are CRAZY.
- There are so many restaurants to choose from. They are all great.
- We rented a private boat for eight people on two separate occasions just to go up the coast one day and later in the week down the coast and around Capri (don't bother going on shore, too many tourists).
- The Bar Internazionale is a great place for morning coffee, watch people and dinner next door.
William B.
Stirling
United Kingdom
Excellent
June 2011 - Villa Adonia couldn't have been more perfect for me and my family. In terms of location, it was very close to Positano Town Hall, the venue for our wedding ceremony scheduled for the middle of our stay. This was one of the main reasons for choosing the villa, which proved to be a wise decision as we had fantastic weather all week - except on the Wednesday, our wedding day, when it rained all day! So the close proximity of the villa meant people kept reasonably dry, venturing out only for the short stroll to the hall.
The villa was very spacious indeed. It was bigger, and better, than we had expected. The images on the website, although very well taken, probably can't do it enough justice. It is a truly spectacular property, inside and out, and the views all around were stunning. Positano is, of course, very picturesque and the villa affords some of the best views you can hope to see of the surrounding town and overlooking the sea.
My new wife and I enjoyed the luxury of the top floor bedroom the most. We could have just stayed there for days as it had spectacular views out of windows on all four sides, with the best scenery viewed out of the adjoining (and massive) bathroom. The sun terrace on the same side was also a popular, and very private, retreat from the busy town just below.
Our children (aged 24-29) came from Australia and London to celebrate our marriage, and they also had the most fantastic time. They loved the sunshine and beaches, of course, but they also enjoyed the space the villa gave them for relaxing on their own.
Summer In Italy were a pleasure to deal with from start to finish. The website was very good in the beginning, when we were first looking at renting a villa, and through the entire booking process. The introduction to the property was also very well managed and we always felt we had a friend at the phone if we needed them. Reassuringly professional.
Travel tips
- Ah, we should mention the Positano steps first! While we enjoyed the exercise on our daily trips down and up, to and from the main tourist spots, mainly to organise things at Palazzo Murat Hotel, the wedding reception venue, it did become tiresome (and hot) at times. We discovered early on that the local buses do a complete and regular circuit from just outside the villa, close to Bar Internazionale. You can get tickets from the shops next door and the price per trip is very reasonable indeed. As a comparison, we used a taxi for some of our trips to the town centre and the cost was over 15 Euros each time. The same trip on the bus cost a tenth of that!
- Most of the restaurants we ate in around the town were superb, with great food and very good service. We think some of the best value eateries were only a short distance from the villa. Hotel Villa Gabrisa was among them. Great food, great service, and lovely views again. Caffe Positano was also a favourite among our group of friends (and wedding guests) for breakfast, brunch or lunch. We also enjoyed the friendly 'patter' from the waiters there.
- If you're looking for something 'extra special' then we can highly recommend Le Terrazze and Al Palazzo, the restaurant at the Palazzo Murat, for exquisite food. Be prepared to pay a bit more though.
- One of the best value meals, and one of the most fun nights, we had was experienced at Restaurant La Tagliata, a family run restaurant high up in the mountains. It's more remote but the restaurant organise free transport for groups who book in advance, and you are guaranteed a great time with the family also providing great entertainment throughout the evening. It was so good we went back twice!
- Having discovered the beauty of Positano while on a walking holiday along the Amalfi Coast three years previous, I had persuaded the men in the wedding party to join me on the 'Path of the Gods' on our last day, and everyone who took part said it was a real highlight. The effort of trekking up the hills, and the many steps leading up from just outside Praiano, was rewarded with some of the best views looking out to Capri and beyond. A cold beer at the end, in our favourite spot at Caffe Positano, also went down a treat.
Devin O.
Winter Park, Florida
United States
Excellent
May 2011 - We found Villa Adonia a wonderful villa. It exceeded our expectations!
Bradley M.
Sydney
Australia
Excellent
October 2010 - I highly recommend this villa to anyone planning a trip to Positano. It is an amazing location and the villa itself if beautiful. The photos don't do it justice.
Travel tips
- Enjoy sunset drinks on the beach - it makes the 700+ steps to the top much easier... [local bus available for the not-so-fit]
Karen H.
Bedminster, NJ
United States
Excellent
September 2010 - Villa Adonia is wonderful, large and very comfortable. We loved the location since it was away from the tourist area and we lived like locals.
The views from every window are amazing and I could not imagine a better place for a large group to stay.
We had our breakfast in the courtyard and our daily happy hour and night caps on the upper terrace, prepare to climb stairs!
Travel tips
- There are two small shops up the street for groceries and wine and Bar Internazionale which is perfect for pastries, afternoon coffee and a late night gelato.
- The Restaurant Grottino Azzurro next door became our frequent dining selection, great home cooked food and great low prices, great owners.
- A few items to watch: we stayed in late September and yes the mosquitoes feasted on us but we just couldn't close the windows to the beautiful breezes (the plug in diffusers may help and avail at the grocery). Also, lizards are in Positano and may visit (we had one on our last night) if you keep everything as open as we did, so beware or limit to the screened windows.
Kevin S.
Ringwood North
Australia
Excellent
September 2010 - We loved our stay at Villa Adonia. Being away from the hustle and bustle and closer to the locals was a really fun experience, whilst the beach and main part of town was only a ten min walk or bus trip back.
The views were spectacular and we had great facilities (fruit, veg, butcher, bar, pastries etc..) very close by.
A great place to stay.
I would recommend Summer in Italy to other travellers - we had an excellent experience with them.
Travel tips
- Bar Internazionale (at the top of the road) is a great place for a drink and to watch the comings and goings of Positano - they also serve good coffee and delicious pastries.
- There is a fruit and veggie shop nearby and a good butcher.
Janette H.
Tampa, FL
United States
Excellent
May 2010 - Everyone in our party loved Villa Adonia. From the moment we entered to the last morning when we looked around to take in one last look at the spectacular panorama, we all adored it.
It's situation at the top of the town is perfect. You can walk anywhere, although you do have to tackle 720 steps to go down to the beach, but the walk back around the winding road is pleasant and not too strenuous.
A PERFECT VACATION!
The Summer in Italy staff were wonderful to work with. Answered every question and made us feel very protected.
Travel tips
- Make sure you take good walking shoes.
Bill S.
Nevada City, CA
United States
Excellent
July 2009 - Magic, pure magic!!! When we first entered Villa Adonia, through the doors that separate the villa from the bustling outside world, our jaws dropped, it was like stepping into a dream.
It is a jewel amongst other villas perched high upon a steep slope with spectacular vistas of the gulf of Salerno and the Positano grotto. Almost, every window in the villa offers a post card view.
Outside the main entry is a spacious, gorgeous terrace with a panoramic view of bougainvillea and vines that shroud the facade of the villa and a view of the azure water below through two Italian cypress trees.
At night, on the terrace outside the master bedroom, as darkness falls, the sea and sky appear to dissolve into one, giving the illusion of distant ships sailing off into the sky.
Two in our party have moderate mobility issues and were concerned about having to climb up and down steps in this five tiered villa. However, we found that the difficulty was negligible. The steps are not steep and have reasonable intervals between landings. Most of our activity was restricted to three levels of the villa: the first level (living area), second level (3-subordinate bedrooms), third level (master bedroom). Bugs were an issue. The 'Summer in Italy' brochure provides excellent advise about both adapting your mind set and items that can be purchased to repel insects and treat bug bites. Noise was only a problem on one night when a party below us went until the wee hours. Someone yelled out buona notte and party abruptly ended.
Summer in Italy was terrific. The orientation pamphlet was accurate and indispensable. Communication was prompt, professional and helpful.
Travel tips
- For non-Italian speaking guests, be sure you understand how to operate the appliances, particularly the clothes washer, before concluding the orientation tour. Same goes for the garbage recycling system.
Yves H.
Westmount
Canada
Excellent
May 2009 - Villa Adonia was great! Beautiful, peaceful and incredible views!
We were 8 in the house - 4 couples - which made the bathrooms a bit of a challenge as there is only one on the second floor.
Location was good but you need to be in shape for the stairs down to the beach - but that is the beauty of Positano!
Would recommend it in a minute!
Everything was perfect! We will book with you on our next trip to Italy!
Travel tips
- Positano is a paradise that gets better each time you visit.
- Day trips are easy from here.
- The villa is great because it is at the of the hill with grocery etc nearby - ie you don't need to walk down all the stairs to get things.
- The Bar Internazionale just up the street has GREAT coffee and pastries and wonderful staff!
Unfortunately, Villa Adonia can not be booked at this time.
We would love to help you find a suitable alternative. Please be in touch for personal advice from our staff!