1. Italy
  2. Amalfi Coast
  3. Praiano
  4. Casa Alea
  5. Reviews

Reviews of Casa Alea

Self catering accommodation in Praiano, Amalfi Coast, Italy, with our best price guarantee!

Yvonne C.

Temecula, CA

United States

VERIFIED

Everything was excellent!

June 2017 - Casa Alea was amazing! It had more than enough space for our family of four. Didn't even mind the approximately 130 steps. Everything was excellent! We would definitely return.

Lucia [the owner] was very welcoming and generous. She even set up a porter to take up our luggage and a garage space for our car. She spent time helping us plan our day excursions to make our stay more memorable. Thank you for being a great host!

Summer In Italy was very helpful from day one. They were very responsive to all our questions from preview to booking. Even up to the time we checked in, they were easy to contact. I would recommend them to our friends. We also booked our boat tour through their referral and it was amazing.

Travel tips

  • There is a market just down the street, but be prepared to carry it all up the steps. It isn't as difficult as it sounds.
  • Lucia will help with the bus schedule and offers many helpful tips. She will also recommend local places to eat or simply enjoy a great meal at the nearby restaurant.
  • We booked a boat tour for one day and that was a wonderful way to see and enjoy the Amalfi Coast.

Douglas G.

Newport on Tay

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

We have already discussed a return visit

May 2017 - We have already discussed a return visit, so that is a good measure of our experience there. Casa Alea was very clean, comfortable and everything had been thought of to ensure our comfort and enjoyment. The terrace and view were amazing and made climbing the 130 stairs well worth it.

Lucia [the owner] was so helpful, efficient and flexible to accomodate our flight times. There is nothing we can think of which Lucia could do to improve the house or our experience. Our sincere thanks go to her for her care and thoughtfulness.

Very good website and wonderful information flow once we had booked.

Travel tips

  • We had been to the area before so saw no need to leave the peace, tranquillity and beauty of Praiano.
  • The nearby shop was very good and there were ample good restaurants nearby.
  • The quality of food, service and friendliness of restaurant staff was a welcome and common experience.
  • We didn't use the bus service and walked everywhere including the many steps! However we know from a previous visit that the bus service is good and also cheap.
  • Praiano is beautiful but not for those with mobility issues. It offers a more peaceful environment than Positano or Amalfi.

Pierre Yves S.

Lefaivre

Canada

VERIFIED

The terrace was perfect...

September 2016 - The terrace was perfect... Make sure you are fit before going up 130 steps to get to the apartment from the street level...!

Lucia [the owner] lives just downstairs, she was very nice and helpful.

Great service... Thanks!

Maryann K.

Dearborn, Michigan

United States

VERIFIED

We loved our stay!

June 2016 - Casa Alea was very clean and comfortable. It was beautifully maintained and spotlessly clean, modern but still had Italian charm. We loved our stay there.

Lucia [the owner] was the perfect host. She was available for any questions, but never an over bearing presence.

Summer In Italy was recommended by a friend. The company was very helpful and the site very user friendly. I would recommend the company to everyone.

Travel tips

  • Be prepared for a long journey up many (100) steps.
  • Get whatever you need from the grocery store before you go up to Casa Alea to avoid too many trips up the steps.
  • There is a restaurant, La Moressa, very near and it has excellent food and a beautiful view.

Tricia L.

Burlington

Canada

VERIFIED

Excellent

September 2015 - Casa Alea is the most beautiful place, with a view to die for. Extremely clean and very peaceful.

The owner took time to explain everything and even helped us in booking our boat trip to Capri.

I can hardly wait to come back and I would highly recommend Casa Alea to anyone who would like to experience the beauty of the Amalfi Coast.

Thank you Summer In Italy for all your help in making our trip so easy!

Travel tips

  • As most of the Amalfi Coast it is built on the hills.
  • Make sure you bring good walking shoes.
  • Enjoy the sunrise from your beautiful, spacious terrace. The view is breathtaking!

Marie O.

Templestowe Lower

Australia

VERIFIED

Excellent

July 2015 - Fantastic!!

Casa Alea is so clean and comfortable and the view takes your breath away! Totally fantastic home. In Praiano dream come true.

Lucia [the owner] has thought of everything, she's the perfect host... Amazing!!

Summer In Italy was brilliant!!! Totally recommend these wonderful people, so helpful and prompt!! Melanie is absolutely fabulous...

Travel tips

  • Get ready for that view, it is breathtaking.
  • Take the bus to Amalfi and Sorrento it's so cheap.
  • Grocery store is fabulous too.

Joli R.

Denver, Colorado

United States

VERIFIED

Excellent

June 2015 - My husband and I loved Casa Alea.

It was worth every step up to return to a super clean, very quiet place, with the best views up and down the coast. After the hustle and bustle of visiting other towns, and Pompeii, we were always grateful to "escape" to our haven on the hill. Just a wonderful vacation there.

PS: My husband said the WiFi worked great.

The owner Lucia was friendly and available, but unobtrusive. Speaks great English.

Summer In Italy was GREAT. Loved the newsletters, the quick replies to my many questions, just an outstanding company, especially for our first time using them. Grazie mille.

Travel tips

  • Just be prepared for the 130 steps, it is worth it. Many GOOD restaurants within walking distance. Restaurant Il Pirata was out of this world. Tutto per Tutti grocery store became a daily stop for that day's needs, VERY convenient. Using the SITA and local busses was easy and inexpensive.

Annette B.

London

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Excellent

September 2014 - My friend and I stayed at Casa Alea in September. We especially loved that, besides views and a terrace to die for, the house was equipped extremely well. There were plenty of glasses, crockery and lovely soft large bath towels. The house had a good selection of knives which is not very often found in rentals.

Lucia, the property owner, was most helpful and was on hand to help us should we have any questions about the house or the area. She also helped us in arranging a porter to take our cases up the steps to the apartment, had done some shopping for us as we had a late arrival and offered us some home made products and very tasty tomatoes from her garden. Thank you so much Lucia for a lovely stay.

I would recommend Casa Alea to people staying in this area.

I chose Summer In Italy because of the quality of their properties. I found dealing with Summer In Italy stress free and easy. I would use Summer In Italy again.

Travel tips

  • The steps to the property are not for the faint of heart but we managed these.
  • There is a bus stop with a few minutes walk to get the local bus and another less than 10 minutes walk away for buses to Amalfi or Positano. Tickets can be purchased on board or slightly cheaper if purchased from the grocery or tobacco shops.
  • There are some lovely restaurants nearby.
  • Good location if you want to do the "Walk of the Gods".

Jeff B.

Banbury

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Excellent

August 2014 - We absolutely loved Casa Alea and would stay again.

My husband and I and two friends stayed for a week at the beginning of August 2014.

There's everything you could need here including 5 ring gas oven, full size fridge freezer, dish washer and washing machine. A huge wrap around balcony with 4 sun loungers, dining table and chairs and BBQ. Apart from the occasional dog bark it was lovely and peaceful even though it's quite a populated area.

We had a fantastic time. Thank you for opening your home to us.

We will definitely approach Summer In Italy again when booking our next trip. Friendly, knowledgeable staff and easy to use web-site, keep on doing what you're doing. Thank you so much. :)

Travel tips

  • There are approximately 130 steps leading to this gorgeous apartment. Well worth the climb but not for the faint hearted as it's a steep and winding set of steps.
  • There's a supermarket 5 minutes away that sells everything from salad to wine to BBQ coals and the staff there are lovely.
  • The main "town" is about 15 minutes walk away offering a variety of restaurants.
  • The bus service is excellent. We took buses all over the place. Cheap and on time!
  • The village of Praiano is very unspoilt and not very touristy (which we wanted) and as places like Positano, Sorrento etc. are a bus ride away you can have a more busier atmosphere if you want one.
  • We managed to get to Herculaneum/Vesuvius/Pompeii/Capri/Ravello etc. using bus/boat and train with no problem whatsoever...
  • Bring bug spray - we all got bitten!!

Martin N.

Whitby

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Very good

Travel tips

  • The Tutto per Tutti store is very good and reasonably priced (but not for wine).
  • The bus service to Positano (the stop's just near Tutto per Tutti) is reliable and very cheap.
  • Consider getting a taxi from the airport and not taking a car. The parking availability in Praiano was intolerable almost to the point of preventing us to dare to use the car.

Keith P.

Carlisle

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Excellent

May 2014 - Beautiful views and excellent facilities, plenty of space for 4 people.

Casa Alea is a wonderful place for relaxing break and enjoying the views. Everything is brand new and high quality. One of nicest apartments you could stay but the effort of getting to it up steep hill and many stairs would not be for everyone.

Owners have gone to a lot of trouble to provide everything you could need.

Travel tips

  • Top class apartment but not for anyone with mobility difficulties access by over 100 steep steps.
  • Getting up and down with shopping tests your legs.

Antoine M.

Allschwil

Switzerland

VERIFIED

Fantastic

April 2014 - Great views, quiet and natural. Yes, we enjoyed it.

Service was good and trustworthy, thank you.

Jessica G.

Seattle, WA

United States

VERIFIED

Excellent

September 2013 - Casa Alea is perfection! It is gorgeous, relaxing, welcoming... just overall fabulous and one of my favorite places to stay!

Travel tips

  • Do as the Italians do and just enjoy yourself :)

Georg S.

Georgetown

Canada

VERIFIED

Excellent

September 2013 - We had a fabulous time. Casa Alea was truly a home away from home. The view was fantastic and the details and amenities were all top notch.

The owners were close by and always ready to help us. The parking worked out great.

We loved Casa Alea and would tell anyone we know that it's the perfect way to spend you holiday along the Amalfi Coast.

Summer In Italy were beautifully accommodating, and we felt we could ask you any questions we had, and you tried to answer them swiftly.

Travel tips

  • Don't miss the beach that is just below the house, it's worth the stroll down, even if there's a lot of stairs back up.
  • Villa Cimbrone in Ravello was beautiful to visit.
  • The bus ride to the town of Amalfi is worth the 2 euros! What a ride!

Anna D.

London

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Excellent

August 2013 - We had a wonderful holiday in Praiano. The villa was perfect for us and the views from the terrace were absolutely amazing.

The owner Lucia could not have been more helpful during our stay, she gave us advise on stores, restaurants, buses, boat tour to Capri... everything that we asked was answered.

I would highly recommend Casa Alea.

Amit H.

Herzelya

Israel

VERIFIED

Fantastic

August 2013 - Geat place. Warm hospitality, very nice village, beach and grocery close to walk.

Thank you for all your help.

Travel tips

  • Parking and climbing the stairs is tricky.
  • Better buy groceries before coming to Praiano.

Judy C.

Glasgow

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Excellent

July 2013 - Myself and 2 friends stayed for a week at Casa Alea and loved every minute. The house was very clean and in great condition. The terrace is just fantastic with a view you could look at forever.

Lucia, the owner, was very friendly, helpful and welcoming.

I would recommend Summer In Italy to anyone - you were extremely helpful and friendly and the website is very informative and user friendly.

Travel tips

  • Bring rucksacks to make the climb up the stairs with heavy shopping a little easier.
  • The stairs are very hard work but worth every bit of effort - we left flip flops at the bottom of the stairs for nights we were out in heels.

Kalle K.

Dinslaken

Germany

VERIFIED

Very good

June 2013 - Super location and very kind and helpful owners. The house has everything you need and the view is fantastic.

Travel tips

  • If you don't like to walk 130 steps to the house don't book it. If you are able to do: BOOK IT!

Tanya S.

Bondi Beach

Australia

VERIFIED

Excellent

May 2013 - We loved our holiday at Casa Alea. Our hosts were wonderful and did as much as possible to ensure we had everything we needed, and went the extra mile to help us enjoy the Amalfi - such as book us onto a boat to Capri, and a restaurant for a special meal to celebrate my birthday (along with a surprise cake).

As well as the great host and amazing view - the great things I about Casa Alea is the owners attention to detail - everything was good quality, exceptionally clean and very comfortable.

We are already planning another holiday at Casa Alea! Highly recommended.

Travel tips

  • The hosts ensure your every need and wish can be catered for. They are locals and are more than happy to help.
  • One tip relates to access, to get to the apartment there is many stairs to climb. This would be a problem for less able travelers. Hosts do have a trolley that carries luggage up to the apartment, thankfully.

Irina G.

Saint Petersburg

Russia

VERIFIED

Excellent

March 2013 - We really enjoyed the stay at Casa Alea.

Lucia [the owner] and her family tried their best to accommodate out needs and make the holiday memorable. The house has everything you need to make your vacation great and comfortable.

Since we were there during the off season time, many restaurants were closed and we were buying food to prepare it at home. The house has more pans and cutlery than you can ever imagine. It is also decorated with taste and elegance.

130 steps lead up from the road and only people who are fit would make them no problem in my opinion.

Guys, I am impressed the way you work. I saw that only in Japan. The responses come within minutes, the info is provided in details, everyone is happy. Thank you so much, and we hope to be in touch with you for many years.

Travel tips

  • The path of the gods was a memorable walk we did twice. Be prepared for a lot of walking in this area.

Tim H.

Vermont

Australia

VERIFIED

Fantastic

October 2012 - Casa Alea was brilliant, with amazing views.

You were very professional with lots of communication. Thanks for the stay, we loved it.

Travel tips

  • Just sit on the terrace and watch the boats go by.

Judith S.

Canandaigua, New York

United States

VERIFIED

Fantastic

October 2012 - The view from Casa Alea is spectacular and the house is quiet and peaceful. There are many steps to get there, but well worth the climb!

Travel tips

  • We ate at M'ama in the Hotel Margherita twice. The restaurant is just down the street from Casa Alea and the food was delicious.

Ian B.

Schomberg

Canada

VERIFIED

Excellent

September 2012 - Casa Alea was absolutely fabulous!!

Well kept, clean and completely met our needs.

The views from the HUGE terrace were breathtaking overlooking the sea. It was a joy to get up in the morning to enjoy a coffee while watching the sunrise. Equally breathtaking were the sunsets while enjoying a glass of local wine.

Would definitely stay again.

Your service was great, we have recommended to others.

Thanks.

Travel tips

  • After Arriving in Praiano take the local red bus up the hill to the meeting place, or look for the local taxi service in the middle of town.

Sally S.

Montreal

Canada

VERIFIED

Very good

September 2012 - We really enjoyed our stay at Casa Alea and the owners were most helpful with all our concerns and questions. We appreciated seeing how a typical family lives in that little town.

We were very satisfied with all our dealings with Summer In Italy. Appreciated knowing we could be in touch with you should any difficulties arise.

The taxi you arranged to pick us up at the Naples airport was great. Such a good driver. We asked him to take us back even before we arrived in Praiano!

We were referred to you by a friend in Montreal who had used your services a year ago. We have already given your website to a friend this week!

Keep up the good work! We may plan another trip to Italy next September - the girls are thinking of the Lake Como area or near Verona. Shall be in touch. Thank you - we had a super time.

Travel tips

  • We would suggest that future guests should not be put off by the 100 steps. Good hand railings and our luggage was taken up by a mechanical rig.
  • We liked the grocery store which had everything you could possibly want. Their fresh bread was delicious.
  • We were very glad we had not rented a car. Driving is very tricky for North Americans and parking is at a premium. We used the local bus and found the taxi service very good.

Rebecca G.

New York, NY

United States

VERIFIED

Excellent

June 2012 - We greatly enjoyed our stay at Casa Alea.

The owner was a pleasure to deal with and the apartment was perfect.

We enjoyed a week of cooking and eating on the terrace and sunbathing. We loved the town and all the people.

Working with Summer in Italy was very easy. They provided great information and tips for making our stay go smoothly.

Travel tips

  • There are a lot of steps! (130 to be exact). The owners set up a great pulley system to get your luggage up to the apartment, but be prepared to do a lot of walking up steps!
  • Tutto per Tutti, the grocery store is wonderful. The cheese and meat selection is excellent and the family that runs the place is very hospitable.
  • We also enjoyed restaurants Armandino and Petit: both down at the beach in Praiano.

John E.

Corte Madera, California

United States

VERIFIED

Excellent

June 2012 - We liked the place!

Travel tips

  • You have to be ok about climbing steps.
  • Easy access to grocery store.

Sue R.

Hendersonville, North Carolina

United States

VERIFIED

Excellent

June 2012 - We had a fantastic time at Casa Alea. We will definitely book this home when we return to the Amalfi Coast.

Working with Summer In Italy booking our home was fantastic. They answered all of my questions as well as giving me other information that was very helpful. Will definitely book through them again.

Travel tips

  • We had a great time wandering around Praiano. Make sure you have comfortable walking shoes since there is so much to see just walking around the area.

Marilyn H.

Saint Lambert

Canada

VERIFIED

Excellent

May 2012 - My husand and I just got back from the Amalfi Coast, and we had a wonderful holiday in Praiano. We stayed at Casa Alea for 15 nights and loved every minute we were there.

The villa was perfect for us and the views from the terrace were absolutely amazing. We had breakfast everyday on the terrace, it was so peaceful.

The villa has 2 lovely bedrooms, a good size bathroom and a combined living room/dining room and kitchen.

We had WiFi connection, which allowed us to connect to back home.

Praiano is a lovely village between Amalfi and Positano where you get a flavour of the local people and their hospitality. The owner Lucia could not have been more helpful during our stay. We booked a lovely Capri excursion with her, it was perfect. On our last day Lucia even drove us to Amalfi so we would make our connection to the Amalfi-Salerno boat, we were really pampered. Thank you so much Lucia.

Your information and directions were perfect, we did not have any problems with payment, directions, and your information on Casa Alea was great, no surprises.

Even the 100+ steps to the Villa, was well worth it for the views we had and the peace and quiet.

Travel tips

  • Loved the local grocery stores with fresh vegetables and fruits. The lemons were the best.
  • Bar del Sole for a great cappuccino coffee and a great place to relax after a day of exploring.
  • Great day trips to Amalfi, Positano, Ravello, Sorrento and day tours to Capri by boat, Pompeii and Mt.Vesuvius.
  • The hikes from either Praiano or Positano called "The Walk of the Gods", is a must.
  • Hike on Capri my favourite "Arco Naturale". Hike to "San Domenico" and the 1000 steps well worth the time. Views are amazing.
  • The only think to keep an eye on is road closers along the coast, there was a rock slide between Sorrento and Positano and the Sita buses did not operate between the 2 towns for a few weeks causing delays between the other towns... I still would not want to have a car, the roads are narrow, parking is tough and you can really get everywhere by train, bus, or boat.

Mary M.

Mississauga

Canada

VERIFIED

Excellent

April 2012 - We had a wonderful week in Praiano staying at Casa Alea.

The owner, Lucia, was very helpful with information regarding what to see and do in the area... and guided us to take a wonderful tour of Capri. Her husband graciously helped carry our luggage up the 128 steps... but once there, the view was spectacular. Lucia's mother baked twice for us during our stay... thank you.

We felt very welcomed in our villa, the rooms were extremely clean and functional.

We had an absolutely fabulous stay and Casa Alea and hope to return some day in the future!!!

Luca, booking our Casa thru Summer in Italy was a wonderful experience. The details given to us allowed us to prepare for the trip and directions to find the Casa were wonderful.

Thank you for being able to arrange us to stay for 5 nights instead of the entire week - this was something that other agencies did not make compensation for. Thank you for making our stay on the Amalfi coast a wonderful memory!!!

Travel tips

  • Casa Alea is a very welcoming - both the casa itself and the owners. It is a very private location and the view of Praiano and the Mediterranean Sea were fabulous.
  • Very close to Tutto per Tutti (the local grocery store) where you can find everything for everyone.
  • The Casa is located very conveniently on the bus route of the Praiano to Positano buses.

Joseph M.

Norwalk, CT

United States

VERIFIED

Excellent

October 2011 - We loved Casa Alea. The view is amazing, and it was conveniently located.

The owners are AMAZING!!! Thank you for making the stay so comfortable.

Travel tips

  • Rent a boat from Lucibello Boat Rental, and explore Capri.

Liam T.

Uppsala

Sweden

VERIFIED

Excellent

June 2011 - The place and host, Lucia, were great. The apartment was close to the shops, Tutto per Tutti, whose staff will lug your big loads of shopping up to the house and in general have a good and fresh range of produce to select from.

The bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, lounge etc are comfortable, and I can vouch for the place's WiFi connection, which offered decent speeds.

The only hitch, if you've got problems walking up stairs, is that it's a hike up to the top level where the apartment is located. Estimated 100 steps. Of course, once you're up there, it's well worth it. But as some famous poet once said, the Amalfi Coast is closer to the sky than it is to the sea. So in the description, when it says 400 meters from the coast, it's not a lie. But you quickly realise that 400 meters can be a very long way from the beach. Still, for the price and peaceful location, away from the crowds in Positano and Amalfi, it was good value.

We didn't break anything and Lucia [the owner] gave us our 300 EU deposit back without any problems, so I can also vouch for the place as a no-nonsense operation. She was also helpful when our son became sick and has lovely kids of her own, who brought us a plate full of home grown apricots for allowing a SummerInItaly staff member to check the house. It's a very family orientated little spot.

Travel tips

  • Stairs. Be prepared for stairs. The view is brilliant, but you should also be aware that it takes 30 mins to walk down to the local beach. The upshot is that it is a beautiful walk, that takes you past rustic facades of houses, fruit-filled gardens, and crazy motorists.
  • The restaurants in Praiano are friendly and warm, but, if you dared to stay in Naples before hand as we did, the food was not up to scratch and pricey. But you expect that with the views and remoteness.
  • Praiano itself is a 20 minute bus ride on a slow and winding road. If you plan to go to Positano, it takes about an hour, including walking and waiting for the local red buses. Not a major problem when you're in a place like that when you have time to meander and get lost.
  • It's about 20 mins in the other direction on the bigger SITA buses to get to Amalfi, which is a beautiful town, but appeared to be more the rich-man's playground. Still worth a visit.

Unfortunately, Casa Alea can not be booked at this time.

We would love to help you find a suitable alternative. Please be in touch for personal advice from our staff!