About this property
A hillside architectural masterclass adapted from a thirteenth-century monastery, the spectacular Villa Madreperla welcomes up to twenty-four guests to the picturesque harbour town of Amalfi. Festooned with magnificent frescoed ceilings and Vietri ceramic tiling in a gorgeous kaleidoscope of colour, this elegant twelve-bedroomed villa is one of the most prestigious homes adorning this corner of the Amalfi Coast.
Once you have caught your breath from the arresting exterior of this picture-postcard villa, you will be further enchanted by the stunning finish within. Beyond the foyer, you will find the first of many panoramic balconies, before reaching a dining room, with a beautifully crafted wooden table for eight. Immaculate and unmistakeably Italian, this table is just the start of what amounts to a proud showcase of signature designer pieces. Barrel-vaulted ceilings in the traditional local style interchange between lavish frescoes and exposed stone – an example of the latter can be found in the superbly equipped kitchen just beyond the dining room. Walnut cabinets are stylishly integrated with colourful tiling, with high-end appliances that will delight any visiting gourmet keen to get their hands on some of the region’s superb produce.
One of the Amalfi Coast’s lauded exports is its hand-painted ceramic, its production centred in nearby Vietri Sul Mare. As well as beautifully adorning the kitchen at Villa Madreperla, you will find stunning examples of Vietri tiling in each of the twelve beautifully appointed en-suite bathrooms.
The twelve bedroom suites all boast views that could not look more beautiful, even if painted on canvas. Lavish and sumptuous queen-size beds feature in all of these, dressed in fine Italian linen, their individual features alternating between frescoed ceilings, four-poster frames and integrated wardrobes. Exposed stone walls on the rooms adjacent to the original ancient monastery are a supremely tasteful addition.
Elegant and spacious, the lounge area is divided into two areas, and features a wonderful fresco on its barrel-vaulted ceiling, along with Vietri ceramic tiles, this time adorning the floor. Of course, the furniture and ornamentation are feasts for the eyes too, with large, comfortable sofas, chairs and panoramic portes-fenêtres opening to the magnificent terrace lounge.
The scale and design of the rooftop terrace is every bit as jaw-dropping as the views enjoyed from it. High praise indeed, considering the lounge section of the terrace overlooks the beautiful coastal town of Atrani, with the domed roof and bell tower of the Santa Maria Confession Church dominating its skyline. A vast, covered dining area with a pizza oven and sink provides generous seating on its chairs ceramic benches, even with the villa at maximum capacity. A sunbathing deck sits alongside the rectangular pool (even more stunning when illuminated at night), while a lawned garden with native trees completes this outdoor space, with a spectacular flourish.
Villa Madreperla is just a short walk from the charming harbour town of Amalfi, with plenty of other delightful towns and villages along the thirty-four mile Amalfi Coast. Even if you prefer not to drive, the towns between Amalfi and Salerno are easy to reach by ferry or bus, with taxis readily available in the main coastal towns. Amalfi itself is a graceful place that you will find a little easier to walk around than some of its steeper neighbours. You will find all the essentials for your stay at Villa Madreperla and much more besides, with a terrific Thursday morning market at the port and a wealth of superb cafés, restaurants and shops.
Amalfi is a charming port town, just a five-minute walk from Villa Madreperla. If you fancy an easier stroll around, in comparison to some of the more vertiginous towns along the coast, Amalfi is an ideal day out. The promenade is a feast for the eyes, with a bustling harbour full of colourful boats and bright, whitewashed buildings rising gently up the hillside. The eye-catching architecture and beautiful scenery extends well beyond the stunning cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo - as the local saying goes- “For an Amalfitan, the day he goes to heaven is just like any other day”. You will discover a terrific range of independent shops, as well as delightful cafés and restaurants – the phenomenal seafood in particular is not to be missed.
A short but scenic fifteen-minute drive will bring you to the gorgeous clifftop town of Ravello, known as the ‘Balcony of the Amalfi Coast’. A long-standing refuge of artists, musicians and authors over the last two centuries, Ravello hosts a range of cultural events throughout the year, including the Ravello Festival. This open-air event takes place at Villa Rufolo throughout July and August, with atmospheric musical performances set against the spectacular backdrop of the Gulf of Salerno. Michelin-starred restaurants share piazzas with trattorias and pizzerias, offering visitors a wealth of enticing dining options in between taking in the breath-taking architecture and enjoying some of the best shopping along the Amalfi Coast.
Great shopping is one of the hallmarks of the towns and villages along this thirty-four mile stretch of coast. Pastel-coloured buildings adorn the narrow streets, housing beautifully designed stores packed with everything from fine Italian leather bags and stylish clothing, to ceramic art and one of the region’s most famous exports – Limoncello. Made with the freshest Sorrento lemons, this locally produced liqueur is available in its own dedicated stores, in a range of imaginatively designed bottles. Whether you prefer the traditional local recipe, or artisanal varieties infused with peppermint or juniper, this is an unmissable treat to enjoy during your stay on the Amalfi Coast. Taking small bottles of Limoncello home as gifts is de rigueur when you visit here, but beware – the bottles’ corks can be a little unpredictable in your luggage - we recommend grabbing some decent tape to seal the bottles before you pack them!
As you would expect, this part of Italy is rightly proud of both its culinary and winemaking heritage. There is no shortage of options when it comes to terrific local restaurants and trattorias, not to mention cookery classes and tasting tours – getting you right to the heart of this region’s passion for food and wine. There are vibrant weekly markets in the towns close by, with Ravello and Sorrento hosting theirs on a Tuesday. These street markets all have their own picturesque backdrops, with crowds gathering at Amalfi’s port on Thursdays treated to an incredible view from the oceanfront path. Those arriving later in the week can gather fantastic ingredients for weekend dinners at Maiori on Friday, as well as having the chance to wander along the promenade and enjoy this pretty harbour town.
Wherever you stay along this uniquely beautiful, thirty-mile stretch of coast, you will find plenty of tour operators close by, offering a range of unforgettable experiences. Take a boat cruise over to Capri, with its famous blue grottos and crystalline waters, or head an hour by road to the archaeological marvel that is Pompeii. As well as guided sightseeing tours, many operators offer deluxe packages that include extras, such as snorkelling, lunch and wine tastings, so be sure to shop around to find one that suits you.
Accommodation
Villa Interior
Third Bottom Floor
- Bedroom with queen-size bed, en-suite bathroom with bathtub and fixed shower head double glazed Juliet balcony with sea view
- Bedroom with queen-size bed, en-suite bathroom with shower
Second Bottom Floor
- Bedroom with queen-size bed, en-suite bathroom, sea and garden view window
- Bedroom with queen-size bed, en-suite bathroom with bathtub, shower wand, Juliet balcony with sea view
First Floor
- Bedroom with queen-size bed, en-suite bathroom with Jacuzzi bathtub, shower, sea view window
- Bedroom with queen-size bed, en-suite bathroom, sea view window
- Bedroom with queen-size bed, en-suite bathroom, sea view window
- Bedroom with queen-size bed, en-suite bathroom, sea view window
- Bedroom with queen-size bed, en-suite bathroom, three sea view windows
- Bedroom with queen-size bed, en-suite bathroom, coastline and sea view window
- Bedroom with queen-size bed, en-suite bathroom, coastline and sea view window
Second Floor
- Living room
- Dining room
- Kitchen
- Guest bathroom
- Main terrace
Third Floor
- Bedroom with queen-size bed, en-suite bathroom with bathtub and wall-mounted shower, sea view terrace
- Terrace
Outside Grounds
- Swimming pool (6x4m) open approximately from beginning of May to mid-October
- Two terraces
- Outdoor shower
- Dining table
- Sunbeds
- Pizza oven
Facilities
- Wireless internet in living area, and pool area only
- DVD player
- Satellite TVs in all bedrooms, except for the ones on the third bottom floor
- Hairdryers
- Safe
- Air conditioning/heating unit in all bedrooms