LOCATION:
Palazzo Positano is situated in a super panoramic, residential part of Positano, nestled between an array of luxury homes and small gardens with sea-view panoramas as far as the eye can see. The villa, situated along a small alleyway in a quiet, residential area, sits atop a rocky ridge, against one of the most beautiful backdrops of the world. Its location offers wonderful, panoramic views over the entire town and the Li Galli islands. The villa is reached by walking approximately 200 meters along a pedestrian pathway situated off of the main coastal road that passes through Positano. From the villa, guests can reach the centre of town, on foot, in 10 minutes and the beach in 15 minutes.
HISTORY:
Palazzo Positano was built in 1716 by renowned craftsmen who included in the construction of the property, prestigious lacquered doors, frescoed ceilings, and stucco, lace-like walls. During the 18th century Positano became a very poor and desolate town and many of its inhabitants emigrated to the United States. Palazzo Positano, however, was not abandoned during this time period and it remained inhabited through to the 20th century. Edward Ghillausen, an artist and representative of the Bauhaus – a German philosophical movement for artists that was suppressed due to political reasons – learned, in 1926, that Palazzo Positano became vacated and decided to take it over. Ghillausen lived here until 2000 when he died at almost one hundred years of age. Ghillausen filled the house with culture and his love for the arts and soon became one of the most important and renowned men of Positano. Ghillausen brought not only culture and art but animated the villa with important guests, from Pablo Picasso to John Steinbeck, Corrado Alvaro, Dino Buzzati, Martin Wolff, and Alberto Moravia to name a few of many. As a proof of his grandeur, Ghillausen offered hospitality to a group of German refugees, which between 1939 and 1945 took refuge in Positano to avoid the Nazi invasion.
PROPERTY DESCRIPTION:
Palazzo Positano is incredibly detailed in every way and overwhelms any guest with its exclusivity, elegance, and historical frame. The residence and its service are both cared for in every detail and the property is equipped with the finest textiles, hand embroidered in Victorian style, exclusive ceramic tables, service for 12 on prestigious local ceramic from Vietri sul Mare, authentic painted wooden doors, and silver cutlery. The property offers a large, flat screen TV, fast Internet connection, changeable hi-fi system, and full spa & wellness area with Turkish bath, sauna, and thermal pool. Palazzo Positano surely preserves the highest quality and charm of a historical residence integrated with the most comfortable and modern facilities. The facades and the external areas are painted and refreshed with a warm red colour alternated with light yellow. This Pompeian red is typical to the traditions of the entire area, originally invented and used by the Romans, where from the colour takes its name. Both internal and external parts of the villa are kept in the original Neapolitan baroque style, which is so characteristic of the period during which it was constructed. From its terraces, extensions of the house that dominate the town centre of Positano, the dreamlike views are just spectacular, extending onto Positano’s beach and the colourful homes that line its panorama, while the Mediterranean and the romantic Galli islands lie in the background. This unique view allows guests to follow the changes of the sky and sea during the day and night.
Ground Floor:
The ground floor is divided into two areas separated by the main entrance hall that leads out onto either the terrace or a set of stairs leading either up to the first floor or down to the ground floor. The main entrance to the villa brings you into the large kitchen and dining room, both with vaulted ceilings painted in a warm, yellow-beige colour. The kitchen has a large antique stone fireplace, which was part of the original house. Copper pots are lined all over the kitchen walls, which is furnished with a wooden table, 6 chairs and wooden bench. Antique wooden sideboard. Flat screen TV. The large and fully equipped kitchen boasts antique tile floors and offers an 8-range stovetop, oven, double marble sink, and dishwasher. Pizza oven. Separate laundry room with sink and large refrigerator with separate freezer. A large, French wooden door leads out onto the terrace. Formal dining room with library opens onto a tea-lounge and studio room. The dining area has a large wooden table with 6 antique wooden chairs from the 17th century. The dining room can be used for serving breakfast or elaborated lunch or dinners. Guests will also enjoy a library filled with rare books on art and history as well as more modern readings in many foreign languages. The tea lounge has a wonderful antique fireplace and two large, comfortable armchairs. The studio corner enjoys a wooden desk with computer with flat screen and fast internet connection. The magnificent old paintings in the studio room depict Alessandro Magno and, like the kitchen, a large set of French wooden doors lead out onto the terrace. The beautiful terrace serves as an extension of the house lined with terracotta tiles and a built-in bench. The terrace is ideal for relaxing and enjoying the spectacular views of the colourful and bright houses of Positano, the blue Mediterranean, the surrounding beaches, as well as the charming and romantic Galli islands located just in front of the coastline, once belonging to the infamous Russian ballerina, Nurijev. The terrace is also ideal for external meals and sunset cocktails. It boasts wrought iron tables topped with ceramic tiles and comfortable chairs for your relaxing. The terrace can also be shaded by large umbrellas. 19 steps take you down a prestigious stone staircase to a full relax and wellness centre. Simply amazing. The pavement is covered in antique terracotta tiles alternated with majolica and its rooms boast vaulted ceilings from the 17th century with golden stucco decorations, partly in gold, allowing for the same bright yellow colour as the rest of the property. In the niches along the stairs, you’ll find 2 beautiful, large and precious antique porcelain vases reflecting the style of those displayed at the National Museum of Art Capodimonte in Naples. The vases date back to the 17th century and are painted with scenes from the mythological and Neapolitan landscapes showing Mount Vesuvius.
SPA & Swimming Pool:
Upon reaching the ground floor, you find, immediately to your left, a beautiful Turkish bath tiled with antique tiles and a terracotta tiled floor; a Finnish Sauna with seating for 2. Two showers identified by a lovely marble face sculpture from which the water exits, encircled by antique mosaic tiles dating back to the 17th century, originating from the Neapolitan School of Giustiniani. The sauna and Turkish bath are situated next to a relaxation lounge with sofas and cushions, coach chairs, large, and antique terracotta vases from the 17th century and the 18th century. The focal point, as if this were not enough, is a large, indoor, fully functional, heated thermal pool in green and Turkish terracotta tiles (8 x 3 x 1.2-1.9 meters deep). The pool is a true hydro-thermal therapy pool, with waterfalls, Jacuzzi seats, jets for cervical and lumbar massages, and rotating currents. There is also a private changing area continuously supplied with large bathing towels, bathrobes, and slippers. On the opposite side of the pool lies the villa’s decorative, consecrated catholic chapel with a private massage area with a massage bed. The spa leads out, through a set of French wooden doors, onto a ground floor terrace that is furnished with sun lounge chairs ideal for sunbathing or relaxing, while enjoying a drink and the incredible views. The terrace also features a very decorative plunge pool with hydro-massage bed tiled with majolica tiles, allowing seating to 2 (4.25 x 1.10 meters).
First Floor – Suites:
26 Steps leads up the beautiful stone staircase to the first floor where the two luxurious and exclusive master bedrooms are located. Two wooden sculptures, decorated in gold, lead you up the staircase. Each master bedroom is very spacious and boasts high ceilings, air conditioning, and en-suite facilities. Both suites are decorated in an elegant and warm Neapolitan baroque style, which characterizes the entire residence. Warm and bright colours mix with antique wooden furniture and other decorative elements in baroque style to match the finest quality textiles, such as the organza and dark red velvets found in the bedrooms. The window sills are set in an époque baldachin with gold stucco decorations and are sewed with the finest coral stones and mother pearl decorations. The ceilings are painted on old wallpaper in a Neapolitan baroque style, restoring the original design with bright colours which fully respect the charm and style of the bedrooms. The terracotta tiled floors are covered with Oriental carpets. A sofa, two comfortable armchairs, and a pouf chair complete the seating décor and are all refined with silk textiles from famous local fabric producers from San Leucio near Naples, making both bedrooms ideal for relax day and night. The bedrooms both boast antique wooden dressers, a large double bed with bedside tables and lamps. The first bedroom enjoys windows and 3 balconies, two overlooking the sea and the colourful houses and beach found in the centre of Positano. Its en-suite bathroom is filled with majolica tiles, boasts a separate changing area and closet, large shower, and marble sink. The second bedroom has a small altar and French doors with access onto the balcony. En-suite bathroom in similar style as the first. The sea-view balcony also features an old small watchtower with a charming and characteristic cupola covered with ceramic tiles, one of the symbols of the Amalfi Coast.
Second Floor:
The 2nd floor finds another lovely two double bedrooms, both, which have en-suite bathrooms. Furthermore, there is a single bedroom ideal for a teenager. This room also has its own private bathroom decorated with antique tiles. There is also a small terrace and a garden area.
Access:
A public elevator (8.00-24.00) allows guests to reach Palazzo Positano directly from the Amalfi Drive in a few minutes and with a little charge. As the elevator is not managed by Palazzo Positano any inconvenience cannot be related to the villa. While the scenic 10 min walk (190 steps) remains an option, the elevator offers a more expedient and efficient way of access.
FEATURES & AMENITIES
• Air Conditioning
• Heating
• Flat screen TVs in bedrooms, the studio, in the dining area, and pool & spa area
• Safe box in the bedrooms
• Minibar in the bedrooms
• Turkish bath
• Finnish sauna
• Massage bed
• Indoor heated pool
• Outdoor hydromassage tub (not heated)
• Internal and external Hi-Fi system (can be controlled from each room)
• Stereo with CD player
• Fully equipped professional kitchen: 8 range stovetop, oven, double marble sink, dishwasher, separate dispenser room with sink, large refrigerator with separate freezer
• Pizza Oven
• Formal dining room with library opening onto a tea-lounge and studio room
• Laundry room with washing machine and ironing facilities
REFUNDABLE DAMAGE DEPOSIT:
A refundable damage deposit of €10,000 per week to be held by rental agency.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE DEPOSIT:
Upon confirmation of a private Chef (Available at an extra charge), a food and beverage deposit is required for all the grocery costs during guests stay. It can be paid by cash only upon arrival and it will be collected by the butler at time of check-in.
SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL RATE (STAFF SERVICE):
• Air conditioning and heating
• Gas and electricity
• Daily continental breakfast
• Daily change of bedlinen and bath towels
• Butler (8 hours per day)
• Housekeeper (8 hours per day from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm)
• Pool cleaning
• Final cleaning
• Wi-Fi
• SPA facilities, pool and outdoor hydromassage tub are included and available year round
• Porter service include 2 bags per person upon check in/check out
NOT INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL RATE AND ANY ADDITIONAL CHARGES (TO BE PAID IN EUROS DIRECT ON THE PREMISES):
• Private Chef (prices on request)
• Additional staff time: €35/hour/person
• Laundry service: €25/hour/load
• Telephone/Fax
• Food and drinks
• Babysitter
• Extra porter service or porter services not provided upon check in/check out
• City tax
• Parking (EUR 35/day with valet service)
VILLA POLICIES:
• Check in from 4-6pm
• Check out before 10.00 AM
• The kitchen facilities can be used by the villa staff only
• The laundry facilities can be used by the villa staff only
• Children allowed (please note that the SPA and the indoor pool are not child friendly)
• Pets allowed
• Non-smoking villa. Guests are allowed to smoke only in the external areas