Time spent at Villa Arienzo can be pure relaxation and recreation, a base for cultural excursions, or your own unique combination of both. Villa Arienzo is on the outskirts of Positano, in an exclusive enclave known locally as Arienzo. The setting enables you to enjoy privacy, quiet and easy access to the town, one and a half kilometres away. Positano offers all the necessary amenities of a summer resort town, including ample fine-dining options.
A private boat service is available for days exploring the coastline from the water and deep sea fishing, while a 24-hour taxi service to town can be arranged for pickup and drop-off at the villa. You have numerous destinations within easy reach by either boat or hired car: the bay islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida, the towns of Amalfi, Ravello, Maiori, Pompeii, and of course Naples.
A public walkway from the Amalfi Drive brings you past neighbouring villas to the property itself. Just inside the gate is a small dependence, home to the owner's daughter. The first view of the villa is from above, with its sparkling white domed roof and perfectly fresh coral walls.
Once you enter the villa on the upper level, you are in your own private world. Pathways link the villa itself with the compound overall. A series of staircases, partially shaded with bougainvillea pergolas, descends to the ocean, passing by the owner's private apartment and garden terrace. Several terraces provide options for rest and play. One is set with a table tennis table, long chairs and a bar with fridge set into the stone hillside for cold drinks. A changing room with WC is adjacent. Close to the water, a large sunbathing terrace includes an open-air shower (cold water only) and leads to a second terrace.
Below is the diving platform at the water's edge. A ladder facilitates access into and out of the water. The views become ever-more captivating as you reach the water's edge, ending with an extraordinarily dramatic view up to Positano. The swimming is glorious from May to October, and the private yacht mooring enables you to combine a vacation at sea with a villa of the highest quality.
The villa offers exceptional outdoor seaside living. A wraparound terrace extends along the ocean side of the house and includes a gracious, furnished sitting area for ten, the couches strewn with pillows for relaxing outdoors under the straw pergola. You can come and go freely from terrace to kitchen, living room and dining room, as you choose.
Further along, dining tables and chairs are set under a white awning – the spreading arbour of a lemon tree keeps it fragrant and shady. The undulating ocean, unbroken to the horizon, moves from indigo to azure with the light.
Views of the receding promontories lead your eye to the tip of the Amalfi peninsula with Capri in the distance. Positano itself sits near at hand, its houses like cherries in the bowl of the hill. A shaded and wind-protected courtyard, set with marble table for eight, serves as an al fresco breakfast room. An adjacent arcade, eventually leading around to the ocean side, has been converted into a simple workout area with an exercise bike, weight bench and stair climber. Professional massages can be arranged on-premises.
This is an exclusive setting, a haven for enjoying the pleasures of the seaside during the long months of delightful weather. The interior of Villa Arienzo is designed to feel cool and soothing – a respite from the bright sun and glinting light of the ocean. Vaulted ceilings in virtually every room add to their already dramatic height.
Grounds
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A series of staircases, partially shaded with bougainvillea pergolas, descends to the ocean
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Several terraces provide options for rest and play; one is set with table tennis, long chairs and a bar with fridge set into the stone hillside for cold drinks
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Furnished waterfront lounge area created from multiple terraces includes open-air shower (cold water only), dining area, changing area, with stairs to ocean
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A wraparound terrace extends along the ocean side of the house and includes a gracious, furnished sitting area for ten, the couches strewn with pillows for relaxing out of doors under the straw pergola
Lower Level
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Staircase down from upper level entrance to reception area. Double glass doors open to living room
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Living room for eight opens directly to main terrace and sitting room
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Sitting room for five with gas fireplace, satellite and Apple TV
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Formal dining room seats ten. Glass door opens to alfresco dining area on pergola terrace
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Double bedroom (queen) with partial ocean view. Ensuite bath (tub with hand-held/wall-mounted shower, curtain)
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Guest bath
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Well equipped kitchen with separate pantry
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Service room for use by staff. Direct access to side stairs for deliveries
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Single bedroom (twin) reached from living/dining terrace. Ensuite bath (enclosed shower stall). By separate payment, on request only
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Cantina
Upper Level
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Blue Bedroom: double bedroom (queen) opens to private furnished terrace. Ensuite bath (walk-in shower) and dressing area
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White Bedroom: double bedroom (queen) with narrow private terrace. Ensuite bath (enclosed shower stall)
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Pink Bedroom: double bedroom (queen) with private terrace. Ensuite bath (tub with hand-held/wall-mounted shower)
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Laundry area (washing machine) for staff use only
Points of interest
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Positano (shops, restaurants): five - 20 minutes (on foot, by boat or by car)
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Sorrento: 30 minutes
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Capri: 30 - 40 minutes by boat
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Ravello, Amalfi, Naples (airport), Pompeii: one hour
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Vietri: two hours
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Rome airport: four hours
Notes
A welcome dinner is included if guests arrive before 8pm. Continental breakfast is served buffet-style for guests' convenience. Food costs included on guests' first morning. Staff of three works eight hours per day, six days per week. Minimal services on Sundays. Villa will be stocked with essential items on arrival. Full shopping will be done the first morning of stay. Cantina wines and trained sommelier available on request for additional fees. Towels changed daily and two bed linen changes per week - additional linens by separate payment. Staff will clean and iron one load of personal laundry per day. There may be an additional charge if extra staff needed. Air conditioning included. Complimentary WiFi provided. There may not be consistent coverage throughout the property – please discuss your particular connectivity needs before booking. Children welcome only with owner's express approval at time of booking and with a dedicated baby sitter (for small children). Owner reserves the right to refuse rentals to those with children and may charge for children who were not approved on booking. A ninth guest can sometimes be accommodated with a supplement. There are many steps (30 to house by public stairway, 254 from house to sea). Staircases are enclosed and have railings, with terraces for resting. A porter is included to assist with luggage on arrival and departure. Access to the ocean is from a stone platform into deep water with a vertical ladder with handrails for exiting; pebble beach within seven-minute walk. There are three cats on the property which do not come into the house. Saturday - Saturday rentals only. Arrival time is 4-5pm; departure time is 10am.