Our second visit, “Most Unforgettable Place”

Guest: Carletto (Buford)
Date of Stay: 10/01/11 Review Submitted: 11/12/11

This is our second visit to the Praiano Villa, The views from the Villa are some of the most beautiful, awe-inspiring scenery we have ever seen. You look out from your private terrace to see the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Location, location, location, you just can't be in a better spot. . Praiano is definitely the unspoiled jewel of the Amalfi Coast- everything about it was perfect. It was uncrowded, the locals were so friendly and welcoming, and hearing the church bells ring every hour was soothing. From the Villa, we took the SITA bus (the stop is located right outside the Villa ) to Amalfi, Ravello, Altrani, Minori, Positano, and all the other coastal towns. What a great bargain- for 6E you can get a 24 hour ticket that allows you to switch buses and travel the coast as much as you'd like. (You buy the ticket from the tabacchi shop right in the square). All in all, we loved the Villa, Praiano, and the Amalfi Coast. It is a romantic, magical, and stunning place to take a vacation. Go once and your heart will be captured forever!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+.

Little piece of paradise

Guest: Andrea (Santa Rosa, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/02/11 Review Submitted: 10/15/11

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in this place in Praiano. Roomy, comfortable, clean and charming (hand painted tile floors even!). The best thing about it is the private garden overlooking the sea and private steps leading down to the beach--so beautiful and peaceful! My only regret is not staying longer.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, girls getaway, families with teenagers.

Fabulous Two Weeks in Praiano!!

Guest: vicki (Santa Rosa, California)
Date of Stay: 06/19/11 Review Submitted: 09/11/11

We had a wonderful time in Praiano with our two grandchildren, daughter and son-in-law. The place was very comfortable for all of us. We loved the view - watching the boats go by, especially at night with the boat lights on. The private beach was great fun for the kids - swimming and watching the crabs on the rocks. The town is wonderful and everyone knows the owner's family and so they were very nice to us -delivering food and helping us with directions. Great time! We will definitely come back!

Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway, families with teenagers, age 55+.

A perfect place to stay!

Guest: Martine (Rosemere, Quebec, Canada)
Date of Stay: 07/16/11 Review Submitted: 08/21/11

What a wonderful week! Our family had a great time. First of all, the information given by the owner was very accurate. You can absolutely trust Elena and she is very helpful. You can feel secure about renting the apartment. Someone was there as well to welcome us upon our arrival. The property is very well located. What a view! We liked sitting outside in the garden either to relax or to enjoy a great dinner with a good Italian wine. The private access to the sea is perfect. Our family had a great time swimming and enjoying the warm water. The kids had a lot of fun! We rented a car and driving was an interesting experience. If you rent a car, make sure it is a small size...Praiano, Ravello, Positano, Capri, Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius are attractions that we recommend to see during your stay. We are keeping very good memories of our trip!

Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, families with young children, girls getaway, families with teenagers.

Perfectly charming and great location for local flavor

Guest: Suzanne (Chevy Chase)
Date of Stay: 07/31/11 Review Submitted: 08/13/11

We had a lovely week here with our two children. The apartment we rented was in the same building but different from the one featured. The owner gave us very thorough information as to what to expect. From the initial contact with the owner I knew we were in good hands.Her responses were timely and thorough and upon booking she provided us with a most detailed account of what to do and see in the area. We loved being right on the water and our best days included time on the rocks below, jumping into the crystal clear sea. This building is unusual as it sits below the main road which puts you on an out cropping of rock for the most beautiful views. Praiano is a gem of a town and offered a more authentic Italian experience than I think the nearby more popular towns would have. We were able to easily bus over to Positano for the evening and drove to our other destinations including wonderful Ravello. We walked into town a few evenings for dinner and spent time at night in the local piazza by the church watching the locals and gazing at the stars and Positano across the way lit up like a million little candles. Truly magical.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, families with teenagers.

Wonderful Apartment with Gorgeous Views!

Guest: Bill (South Carolina, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/09/11 Review Submitted: 07/31/11

Our family of four stayed for five nights at the apartment directly above this apartment in the same building. First of all, it was a pleasure working with the owner from the initial inquiry. She was professional, accommodating and responsive. Both our apartment and the one listed here were very similar in space and amenities. The views of the Med and the neighboring areas are literally indescribable. We really did not want to leave after five days. I took a nap on the outdoor sofa every afternoon and I can still hear the sounds of the luxury boats down below. We found the amenities in the apartment to be just what we needed and we spent most of our time jumping into the sea from the local "La Gavitella" beach. My two young sons loved jumping off the rocks into the sea. Just like anywhere else in Italy, it takes a day or two to become familiar with the markets, bus schedules, parking...etc. The apartment building has its own parking lot and we would recommend leaving your car there and using the bus to get to the area towns. The driving can be precarious on these narrow, winding roads. Otherwise we walked the 10 minutes into town to shop. There are no real sidewalks so at first it feels strange walking with your children on the main road. However, you get used to it and realize that the locals driving are cognizant of people on the road. Lastly, the people in Praiano were so warm. It is the "true Italy." The housekeeper was very sweet and her English was pretty good! Our recomendations are that you bring enough cash with you in the summertime as the Bancomat ATM regularly runs out of cash and please get the bus schedule from the Tourist Info Office in town. The buses going either direction pick you up right outside the apartment building but you will want to have the exact times so you don't wait out in the hot sun for 45 minutes like we did! We would love to return in the future. Mille grazie!

Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, families with young children, adventure seekers, families with teenagers.

Best Friends Holiday in Praiano

Guest: CRE/LCA (Madison, WI)
Date of Stay: 06/18/11 Review Submitted: 07/08/11

This was a very special get-away for 2 best friends who have traveled together for many years. Words and pictures can’t truly describe the beauty of Residence Deneb and the Amalfi Coast. The night that we arrived we were greeted by the full moon shining on the sea and welcoming us to our home for 2 weeks. The apartment was clean and well appointed with everything that we needed. We each enjoyed the privacy of our own bath and bedroom. Without fear, we left the doors open to the sea (with only the screens) every night. The history of this residence is evident and you could imagine the times when families vacationed there together. Some days we found it difficult to put down our books and explore. We visited Angela, Salvatore and Lucca at the grocery every day to purchase what we needed and report on our recent day trips. Salvatore got us a special porkloin wrapped and tied with fresh rosemary for our weekend dinner at home. We enjoyed making many of our meals at home in the perfect little kitchen and then eating them under the cover of the wisteria. Yes, there are steps everywhere you go along this coast, but after a couple days, we were stronger and faster! We found the driving fun and would recommend renting a car. It gave us the flexibility to go where we wanted, when we wanted, including many wrong turns! The driver needs another set of eyes to help watch for signs! Parking is at a premium but it was never a problem especially with the new parking garage in Amalfi. Go visit this beautiful, authentic Italian hideaway! You will not be disappointed and you will long to return! We offer many thanks to Elena for being a gracious "host" and for all the help and communication that she provided in our two year planning process.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, girls getaway, adventure seekers, families with teenagers, age 55+.

Gorgeous views, needs some work

Guest: Bob (Cumming, GA USA)
Date of Stay: 05/28/11 Review Submitted: 06/04/11

If you are going to Amalfi for the sea views this is the place to go. 180 degree view of the water from the terrace as advertised. However it does need some TLC. Paint chipping off the walls in the bath and shutters, rusted railings, overgrown grass on the terrace (10 inches long), and toilet seats that don't fit the toilets are some examples of lack of attention over the years. 87 steps from the parking lot does not add in another 150 or so steps up the ramp to the main road, then add another 15 minute walk to anywhere (including the grocery store) along a VERY dangerous road, and you had better enjoy staying at the apartment and just enjoying the view. Driving anywhere in Amalfi is very stressful and expensive (3 euros an hour minimum) if you can even find a place to park. The bus runs every 45 minutes or so. We left two days early.

Owner response:I am always very grateful for our Guests' comments, especially when they give me the opportunity to further improve our property and services for others to come. I was shocked by some of Mr. Bob's statements, because they are incorrect and in some case simply false (like the additional 150 steps to the main road). Then I fsadly ound out that he left after causing remarkable damages - an experience we have never had with any other Guests in over six years. Broken outdoor chaise-longue, broken door handle, several power inlets completely pulled off the wall, even a nice composition of dry flowers was torn apart. Sometimes, things are simply not meant to be. All damages have been promptly repaired, and future Guests can be reassured that they will have an unforgettable experience. I put all my heart in this activity because it honors the memory of my Grandfather who had the genius and generosity to build such a heavenly place. And because I love the idea of sharing such amazing beauty with others. All of you Readers can count on my full committment to continue to set the highest standards by taking at heart your suggestions for improvement, with renewed enthusiasm and full trust that our Readers and future Guests will appreciate, love and respect our place and the Amalfi Coast (with its unforgettable winding roads and spectacular views) like all the ones before. Sincerely, Elena La Manna

Recommended for:Romantic getaway.

A Little Piece of Heaven!

Guest: VT Travelers (Westminster, Vermont)
Date of Stay: 02/24/11 Review Submitted: 03/08/11

Frankly I don't know where to start as this property was fabulous, and I would say that the listing does not due the actual property justice....it is better. The property photos, of which the owner is happy to provide more of, are accurate - the property was very clean and provided all the amenities that were listed. I guess the only item I would have liked in the kitchen was a cheese grater, but we made do. As I stated this property was very clean upon arrival and seems well maintained as we ran into no problems. All our questions prior to arrival were responded to by the owner. We have rented through VRBO several times and this was by far the best experience...thank you Elena! I would definately recommend this property even during low season, or February, when we visit Praiano. Of course you don't encounter the hustle and bustle of summer tourists, but you do get to experience time with folks that actually live along the Amalfi Coast. We enjoyed a visit to Amalfi [take the bus as it is very easy, but you have to buy tickets at the Tabacco shop, you can't buy tickets on the bus], Pompeii, and Positano [again, we took the bus]. Some items to note about the property - you are required to recycle rubbish according to strict guidelines, but we had no problem as the directions are provided in a clear manner, and there are lots of stairs which frankly we enjoyed after all the pasta and wine! Also, take time and enjoy the property. If you fill up all your time with a day here and a day there you won't be able to enjoy the flat, scenery from the patio and see the sunrise. Also, stop by the Bar de Sole as it is a happening place and the beer is great.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, families with teenagers, age 55+.

Million Dollar View

Guest: Phyllis (East Hampton, CT, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/08/10 Review Submitted: 11/30/10

My husband and I and our friends could not have wanted a more perfect place to spend a relaxing week. The apartment is so well equipped, the beds are comfortable and all is very clean and inviting. Pina, greeted us when we arrived and answered all our questions. We actually spent an additional three days at Residence Deneb, rather than touring further south to Sicily. It is hard to find places like this! We enjoyed touring the Amalfi coast area. Pompeii, Ravello, Amalfi, Positano--all are lovely and fun. The little town of Praiano offers wonderful food and you can walk to most restaurants from the apartment. Shopping is easy at Alimentari Angela if you want to cook in. Have them get you fresh fish and cook it with the incredible rosemary that grows on the terrace! We had a rental car, but there is reliable bus service at the top of the driveway. I agree with the previous commenter--rent a small car if you are just two or three. Amalfi's roads are a challenge, but beautiful! All four of us would heartily recommend this apartment to friends or family. You will not find a property owner more willing to help than Elena. She loves her Praiano apartment, and it shows! Thanks, Elena for an unforgettable stay.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, girls getaway, adventure seekers, families with teenagers, age 55+.