Formerly the home to film producer Franco Zefferelli, Villa Treville is a magical place that has captured the hearts of so many creative maestros. Illumination of pathways, terraces and pool help you enjoy your surroundings late into the evening. There are numerous terraces for dining al fresco during the long Amalfi summer season from May to October. The bedrooms are nearly all ensuite, many with private balconies or terrace. The staff, gardeners and caretakers are well-prepared for ensuring you dont have a crae in the world. An exceptional and storied estate, with a famous guestlist, Treville encourages you to indulge in appreciating the stunning, dramatic landscape and the charm and relaxed hospitality of the Positanesi.

Treville is an exhuberant reflection of the owners' life-long involvement in the arts, as well as their delight in entertaining, affection for worldwide travel and adoration for the absolute drama and beauty of this sun-drenched coast. True to its name, the estate comprises three distinct villa buildings, linked by garden paths and stairways so that it feels rather like a large rambling home.

The oldest of the three, Villa Rossa, was built in the 1500s. Villa Azzure was built in the 1600s with some renovations into the late 18th century, and Villa Bianca is early 20th century. The current owner has been enjoying the property most of his life, having first discovered it some 60 years ago. Acquiring it for his own use in 1968, the house underwent a significant restoration maintaining the high vaulted ceilings, tall French doors and multiple terraces so typical of the local architecture.

A notable addition was an incredible variety of largely Neopolitan 18th century handpainted tiles, now very hard to find. Each floor and wall is an artistic composition, which perfectly enriches the extensive personal collection of objects d'art, antiques and collectibles on display throughout the estate. Especially interesting are the various drawings and paintings by the owners' own hand, animating walls throughout.

Each room and terrace is distinctly its own space, making the whole effect of the property much more than the sum of its parts. The paved drive, a itself a rarity, descends from the street to the garage and parking. From here, stairs continue to the main villa entrance on a public walking path, popular only in July and August when the local beach, Arienzo, is busy serving day-trippers from Naples.

The gate opens to an entrance terrace planted with beds of vibrant flowering annuals. A short curved flight of stairs brings you to the uppermost principal terrace, with wisteria-shaded pergola along the house and a spacious sun-soaked terrace jutting out towards the undulating blue-green sea. Most of the windows and terraces at Treville are southwest-facing, providing an exceptional and unusual view of Positano and the receding peninsulas of the Amalfi Coast into the distance, with the the Isole dei Galli accenting an otherwise pristine expanse of sea.

Beyond the terrace is a spacious dining pavilion, centred with a simple fountain and partially shaded by broad pine trees and bougainvillea. Travertine tables may be used separately or reconfigured into a round table accommodating 12. The view is south-east towards other Arienzo villas hugging the coastline and the inviting ocean.

Stairs lead down past the Villa Rossa tucking into the shade of 70-year-old tropical trees. Along the edge of the stairs, narrow, ruffle-edged trough-shaped pools pour a stream of water into the goldfish pond which marks your arrival at the principal terrace for the Villa Bianca. To the right, also enjoying the shade of tall trees, is the ping-pong table, lit for night play. A broad double staircase leads up to two additional terraces, one set as an outdoor living room, the other for casual outdoor dining. Both are under wisteria pergolas providing a deep cooling shade.

Below the staircase is a charming dining terrace, distinguished by a deep stone-lined grotto, accommodating 20 for lunch or dinner. Up to 30 could be easily accommodated buffet-style, with ample additional seating at the cushioned banquettes lining the edge of the terrace.

Two levels of carefully tended beds of tomatoes, eggplant, basil and other staples of the Italian garden are cut through with walking paths shaded by grapevines. One flight of stairs brings you to the pool, set on a further promontory and defined by a keyhole shaped terrace shaded with an enormous umbrella pine. The pool is oval, and set into a high domed alcove with a rough stone ceiling. Guests have the option of enjoying the pool as is, or heated with or without the whirlpool.

Two curving staircases give easy access, with two built-in Carrara benches for sitting and standing. A simple bath with hot and cold shower is adjacent. The vegetable garden then continues from the pool to the final set of stairs, which descends through a gate to the delicious ocean. Here, broad terraces have been fashioned on top of the rocks, providing ample room in the sun. Two straw pergolas have been installed for shade. There is furniture for 16, tanning on sun beds or sitting with a book.

Grounds

• Gated entrance with security to private drive with turntable for cars
• Private reception area with elevator to Villa Azzure
• Elevator continues to solarium and grotto pool
• Landscaped gardens on eight levels descending to the sea, illuminated at night with speakers
• Unbroken and exceptional views of the coast from each of the multiple furnished terraces, with flexible seating options.

Villa Azzure

• Primary living room with fireplace and backlit niche framing priceless collection of Sicilian porcelains. Flexible seating arrangements accommodate up to 30. Elevator access.
• Estate kitchen, completely finished in original majolica tiles, hand-painted by artisans from Vietri. Kitchen is open to guests for self-serve drinks and snacks. Meals prepared on site feature local fresh-caught fish and estate vegetables as well as olive oil from the owners' Sorrento estate
• Outdoor shaded dining terrace for up to 35 with flexible seating arrangements
• Downes Suite: entrance corridor leads to separate sitting room with ocean view. Master bedroom (king) with access to private terrace. Ensuite bath (tub and shower)
• Diaghilev Suite: expansive bedroom (king) with sitting area and east-facing, ocean-view balcony. Ensuite bath (tub)
• Massine Suite: separate sitting room and bedroom (king) with multiple ocean-view double doors. Bi-level ensuite bath (tub and shower)

Villa Rossa

• Independent entrance into spacious double bedroom suite (twins can combine to form king)
• Bernstein Suite: immense terrace with multiple double doors leading inside to both the sitting room and the bedroom (king). Ensuite bath with unique room-size shower.
• Nijinsky Suite: separate sitting area and bedroom (king) with multiple full-height double doors opening to a view of Positano. Guest bath plus full ensuite bath (shower stall and Turkish bath)

Villa Bianca

• Extraordinary Salone Bianco finished in all-white tiles and upholstery, including mother-of-pearl furniture from Syria. Overall seating for around 50 guests. Wet bar available for drinks and refreshments.
• Zeffirelli Suite: three-room private master suite with view to I Faraglione of Capri. Comprises sitting room, dining room and master bedroom (king) with private terrace and pool. Ensuite bath (bath and hydro-massage shower). Miramare Suite and Kessler Suite can connect to Zeffirelli Suite or be independent
• Miramare Suite: striking west-facing room with private balcony, sitting area and bedroom (king). Ensuite bath (shower stall)
• Kessler Suite; Romantic canopy bed (king) with fireplace and terrace. Ensuite bath (shower stall)
• Callas -Tosca Suite: two double bedrooms (king) each with private ensuite bath (shower stalls). Double doors open to shared large private terrace and pool.

Villa Tre Pini

• Furthest From Villa Azzurra but closest to the sea – most appropriate for anyone travelling with children
• Aida Suite: Double bedroom (king) with sitting area and double doors opening to garden. Ensuite bath with oval shower room
• Turandot Suite: Sitting room with sleeping alcove (king). Reached directly from garden. Ensuite bath (shower) with sea view
• Romeo and Juliet Suite: double sitting room with ocean and garden view to the East. Bedroom (king). Guest bath as well as full bath (tub). Double doors to terrace shared with Carmen suite.
• Carmen Suite: Double bedroom (king) with sitting area and double doors to shared terrace. Ensuite bath (shower stall)
• Norma Suite: Double bedroom (king) with sitting area and views to the sea. Ensuite bath (shower stall)

Points of interest

• Positano: five minutes by boat, ten minutes by chauffeured car
• Amalfi, Nerano, Capri: 40 minutes by private launch
• Ravello: 50 minutes by private car
• Naples/Pompeii: 70 minutes

Notes

Rental is only available on the whole estate. The individal villas cannot be let individually. Buffet breakfast included daily. Lunch can be served informally at the Villa Azzurra. Chef will prepare dinners according to guest preferences. Cleaning included daily. Complimentary WiFi, although there may not be consistent coverage throughout the property. Bedrooms all equipped with independently controlled heat/air conditioning, mini bar, TV, safe and wireless internet connection. Some beds can be separated as twins on request. Additional single beds for children can be added to Zeffirelli Suite, Bernstein Suite and Romeo & Juliet Suite. Elevator services only some levels of the estate (Villa Azzurra, Villa Bianco/Tosca-Callas Suites and Villa Tre Pini). The estate includes staircases and extensive garden. There are at least 30 steps from the final garden to the sea for accessing ocean swimming and private boats. Cars can arrive within 10 stairs of reception. Children over 12 welcome unless by special arrangement. Private pools for the Zeffirelli and Callas/Tosca Suites only. Helicopters can land at Treville or on a nearby island and guests can arrive by the property's private launch, the San Salvatore. Yacht mooring for 100m+ available at 300m from Treville. Villa staff will valet any sport cars that cannot arrive directly. Ferrari cannot arrive directly to the reception area. Rentals can begin any day. Arrival time is 4-5pm; departure time is 10am.