Rooms

Spread across two newish seafront buildings and a small house are 5 double rooms (all enjoying a panoramic sea view), a family room with balcony, and 5 self-catering apartments for 2-6 people. All are done out in simple Italian rustic style, with cream or pastel walls, wrought iron beds, bronze faux-chandeliers and a scattering of wooden furniture (some of it antique, some of it modern). Bright fabrics, artworks and Amalfi tiles add colour, if not always in the subtlest of ways. But if it's not quite the contemporary chic you might hope for (and, in truth, few hotels on the Amalfi coast are), rest assured that it is comfortable and spacious – and the views of sea, mountain and garden are to die for.

Bathrooms, likewise, are functional, with a couple of avocado- or peach-coloured bathroom suites surviving from the 1950s furbishment. The rest are being gradually done up with neutral cream tiling and corner shower cabinets.

Of the apartments, the 3 in the lower Amalfi-side building (Luigi, Elena and Emanuele) are the largest, with a long sea-facing balcony and sitting-dining room, 2 rear-facing bedrooms (note that in Elena/Emanuele, a chunk is taken out of the sitting room to make way for a 3rd bedroom), and one bathroom apiece. Up above the prince's quarters is Ficus, the family room, with 2 double bedrooms and a bathroom in between (no kitchen).

The rooms are all double-bedded and situated in the Minori-side buildings. There are 2 secluded ones up by reception, and 3 in a lower building, with balconies and plunging views over the sea. Note that, due to the historic nature of the hotel, WiFi is only available in the common areas of the villa, and not in the rooms.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Central heating
• Satellite TV
• Terrace/balcony

Eating

All meals including breakfast are an additional cost and, to avoid food wastage, are booked and paid for at check-in. A simple continental breakfast (rolls, croissants, mini-jams, carton-juice, hot drink), is served outside on the dining terrace. All these services are subject to availability.

The apartments have rather dated but functional kitchens with gas stoves, a large fridge, microwave, Ikea-style cabinets with basic cutlery and crockery, but no traditional oven. Ficus Family Room has a fridge but no other kitchen equipment.

The hotel’s restaurant (open Thurs-Tues) serves lunch, with a limited choice of salads (melon and ham, green salad, or Caponata di Amalfi – salad made with bread and tomatoes). The food is underwhelming, but it’s a great place for a cold beer overlooking the water – and the service is charming.

Alternatively, you can either prepare something simple in your apartment, or drive to Amalfi, Atrani or Minori, all within 5km.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• In-house cook
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Hire a private boat to collect you from the villa and take you to nearby coves (the deep inlet of Furore is spectacular), to sea caves, or to rocky islets such as Li Galli (where Nureyev had a villa). Canoes and pedalos can also be delivered to your 'front door' from Atrani
  
• Take a public ferry from Amalfi or Minori along the coast to Positano or the isle of Capri for some glitzy shopping and dining, plus colourful cliffside villages
  
• Drive or walk up to gorgeous Ravello, a handsome village set high on a spur, with plunging views over the coast (best appreciated from the stunning gardens of the Villa Cimbrone)
  
• The town of Amalfi has an impressive duomo (in whose crypt lie the remains of St Andrew), a small museum in the town hall (where you can see the first ever maritime law, the 16th-century Tabula Amalfitana), not to mention excellent pastry shops (try the creamy sfogliatelle of Andrea Pansa)
  
• Keen walkers should not miss the lovely Valle delle Ferriere, a 5-hour hike heading deep inland from Minuta or Campidoglio, to re-emerge at Pogerola above Amalfi

  Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Shopping / markets
  • Snorkelling
  • Swimming

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome, and this one of the few places on the Amalfi coast which genuinely suit families, although it's probably better for 6+ year olds, due to all those steep stairs. Staff can arrange English-speaking babysitters. Minori and Maiori have long, safe strands; other villages have smaller and steeper beaches

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots are available on request, but must be booked in advance by email and are subject to availability.

Cots Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Villa Scarpariello is just outside Amalfi in Marmorata di Ravello, 70km from Naples. The property itself is divided into different levels from the main road to the ocean, connected by steps (as is common for the Amalfi Coast). Porterage services are available at an additional cost. There's a SITA bus stop a few metres' walk from the entrance of the villa. Taxi and boat transfer are also available, contact the villa ahead of your stay if you want to book these services.

From the Airport
Fly to Naples Capodichino (70km), then take a taxi via Salerno or via Bomerano to Marmorata di Ravello (both routes are about 1.5 hours, the last part tortuous).

By Car
This is one part of the Amalfi coast where it makes sense to hire a car. The villa has its own parking (at extra cost) in front of its entrance, and you'll need to drive to Maiori/Minori/Amalfi/Ravello for meals (all 5-10 km). For day trips, the boat service along the coast is pretty efficient; roads can get clogged in summer. See our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you once your booking is confirmed.

Read our guide to Getting to Italy and Getting around