Amalfi Coast
Sorrento Coast
Tuscany
Cilento National Park
Lake Como
Rome and Latium
Umbria
Capri and Ischia
Venice
Puglia (Apulia)
Liguria
Sicily
Lake Maggiore
Lombardy
Sardinia
Lake Garda
Abruzzo and Marche
CalabriaReviews of Villa Merlata
Self catering apartment in Conca dei Marini, Amalfi Coast, Italy
Isabelle I.
Les Lilas
France
VERIFIED
Very nice place
June 2022 - Very nice place - quiet with an amazing view of the sea.
Travel tips
- Don't miss Trattoria La Piazza da Nino, with its terrace: very good pizza and fresh fish.
Andre G.
Leipzig
Germany
VERIFIED
Very good
September 2021 - Villa Merlata is a great place to stay. Very clean and in top state, not to forget the great view and the top terrace.
Friendly and helpful owner.
I recommend Villa Merlata especially if you are going to explore the Amalfi Coast with own or rental car, because it is nearly in the middle and you will have short trips to the top destinations, like Positano or Amalfi.
We were very satisfied with Summer In Italy service and will for sure consider booking with you next time in Italy.
Travel tips
- There are a small supermarket, a butcher, a restaurant and a tobacco shop nearby. You will be able to reach them in a 5 minutes walk. Everything you need for a pleasant stay.
- You will be able to buy fresh fish in one of the coastal towns.
Charlie C.
Elton on the hill
United Kingdom
VERIFIED
Very good
August 2021 - We loved Villa Merlata. Giuseppe [the owner] was great, the place was really good, the village was super too, unspoilt and really well situated for exploring.
The place was cosy and private. Although the lack of private outside seating space and the temperamental shower slightly detracted from this lovely, lovely villa. With minor amendments the accommodation could justify doubling the rates, it is great value.
The people at summer in Italy have been excellent too; kind and helpful. Keep up the good work!
Travel tips
- Bring a car, treat the shower as a source of amusement, not frustration. Remind yourself that steps = excercise!
Noam M.
Kiryat Tivon
Israel
VERIFIED
Fantastic
October 2019 - Vila Merlata is a great place for a couple who wants peace and quiet, and still be on the very beautiful (and hence touristic) coast. It is a good starting point for walks, short drives.
Everything in the villa works. The kitchen is well fitted, there is a supermarket real close by. In short -- it was shear pleasure. The weather helped, of course.
Travel tips
- Both close-by restaurants are good: the pizza place near the post office, and the Conca dei Marini.
- There is an issue with water pressure at some moments during the day, hence it is difficult to set the water temperature in the shower (it is warmed by a gas heater, which is sensitive to water pressure). I guess this is a common issue in this village, to judge by the number of roof-top water tanks in the village. Solution: we found it is much easier to regulate the shower water temperature, when the other hot water tap (in the bathroom sink) is open and set to maximum.
Gita P.
London
United Kingdom
VERIFIED
Fantastic
September 2019 - The best part about Villa Merlata is its location and being able to feel that you are living amongst locals and sampling a few typical days in their lives, as opposed to experiencing the superficial grandeur of a hotel in a busier town like Positano or perhaps the functionality of a B&B along the coastal road. Many of the local people were friendly, warm and welcoming. The surrounding whitewash buildings and plantations added to the peaceful ambiance, and lent an air of authenticity to the whole experience.
The history of the charming Villa Merlata, and its relationship to the Grotta dello Smeraldo, made it very special. The heritage and architecture of the building made it very interesting and the decor and layout were appropriately simple.
The view from the bedroom through the window and out over the sea is magical and romantic! And it is simply a must to watch a sunset from the terrace which sits on top of the tower - you feel very indulged up there on a hazy afternoon with a glass of wine in hand!
We enjoyed Villa Merlata very much!
Summer In Italy was prompt in response and efficient, and addressed all our concerns prior to and during our trip.
Travel tips
- The local small supermarket can meet most needs, we did not find a larger one and suspect that larger supermarkets tend to be nearer the A3 on the drive from Naples when you arrive - so maybe do a big shop then. Otherwise, it is best to eat like the locals, as opposed to how you eat at home - it is easier! The guys in the local supermarket are very sweet and helpful. There is a local butcher as well.
- The local restaurant/pizzeria, Le Bonta Del Capo, is very good, reasonably priced and the staff very friendly. Believe me, it is easy to spend a lot of money on average or below average food on the Amalfi Coast, but Le Bonta Del Capo prepares local dishes to a high standard but does not charge exorbitant prices.
- Positano is a picturesque, bustly area and well worth the visit. But if culture, sophistication and tranquility are your thing then Ravello has to be the place. The whole coast is simply breathtakingly beautiful, it is just a matter of picking your way amongst the touristy tat and finding the gems (the Lonely Planet book can help in this regard).
- There is plenty for hikers as well as the cafe dwellers. The infamous Walk of the Gods, and numerous magical walks that can take you from one town to the next via shaded, ancient alleyways and staircases. You can make this holiday as leisurely or as active as you wish
- If you like driving then the Amalfi Coast is a fun place to drive, just be wary of the coaches around the bends (highly skilled drivers though) and the enthusiastic Italian overtakers. Parking in the blue bays in the towns is very expensive, so it is best to look for places to park for free on the outskirts of the towns. Otherwise, there seems to be a robust bus service in place.
Louise G.
Dundee
United Kingdom
VERIFIED
Excellent
April 2019 - We loved Villa Merlata! It made the perfect home for our honeymoon. This property is perfect for a romantic getaway and with parking practically on the doorstep its a blend of romance, practicality and price.
We loved the mezzanine bedroom that allowed you to watch the surf break on the rocks 400 odd feet below you, from bed! We laughed when the water ran in under the door when it rained hard, this apartment is quirky, individual and so special and set in a secluded little town 5 miles from Amalfi we just couldn't ask for more!
Our host was a pleasure, a sophisticated and quiet man, he brought us hot expressos when we arrived and his home made limoncello!
Everything inside the apartment works well and is new and fresh. The courtyard is enclosed without a view but we sat on the domed roof and looked through the crenellations at a view to die for.
Summer In Italy looked after us so well from day 1, the email updates and payment was painless and convenient. I really couldn't find fault with the service online or in person once we arrived. I would hope you had a facebook presence that I could 'like' and share with friends [now we do! Find us at http://www.facebook.com/summerinitaly], detailing the many wonderful and unique properties you have available. I had looked almost to exhaustion before I found your properties, ans this one in particular was hidden away.
Travel tips
- The local Polisportiva Conca dei Marini bar is a 2 min stroll, super friendly and a great spot to eat fresh seafood and pizza in the evening. We had great times there watching the football with the locals.
- The town of Minori suited us the most, it has a great beach, much fewer tourists than Amalfi and the locals are fabulous. We made many friends in Minori and will certainly be back. The Midnight Sun Bar in the main square was a definite find, Antonio and his wife looked after us all week like family.
Silvana A.
Grandevent
Switzerland
VERIFIED
Very good
August 2018 - We enjoyed our stay very much. The place is splendid, and staying in a tower is quite an original experience.
We found your address on the Internet. Everything was perfect. We will recommend Villa Merlata to our friends in Switzerland.
Travel tips
- The landscape is splendid, the sea is blue, we took advantage of the beaches, especially the Conca beach. Positano is not to be missed. The whole region is beautiful, even though a bit noisy in August.
Eileen S.
Armidale
Australia
VERIFIED
Excellent
May 2018 - The Villa Merlata is a unique property which we really enjoyed staying in.
Summer In Italy is terrific. Everything worked very smoothly and everything you promised happened (I don't think you promised consistently warm shower water or a shower curtain that worked! :-))). I would highly recommend your website to any of my friends requiring accommodation in Italy. I love your newsletters (even more since we left Italy - I still feel like a tourist!).
Travel tips
- Be aware that the distance to the sea sounds quite short but is, in actual fact, thousands of steps down. It is not in walking distance of Villa Merlata.
- My husband and I think that it would have been quite difficult to manage our stay at Villa Merlata without a car.
Gen F.
London
United Kingdom
VERIFIED
Excellent
November 2017 - Enjoyed our November stay here very much.
Giuseppe and his wife [the owners] were very welcoming and helpful throughout our stay.
Simon G.
Watford
United Kingdom
VERIFIED
Excellent
September 2017 - Stunning location! Bring your camera!
James C.
San Francisco, California
United States
VERIFIED
Excellent
June 2017 - This was a superb experience. The view is staggering; it brought a strong degree of calm to the soul to look out of that window at all hours. The sounds of the breakers were clearly audible at night, and the entire location was restful, serene and invigorating.
Giuseppe [the owner]was helpful and friendly, and the entire community quite welcoming.
We're going back as soon as schedule permits.
Travel tips
- Be prepared to make your own meals - there's a really good butcher shop (Macelleria) across the street, and Michele is all too happy to discuss your plans for the evening - which if you like food should include his wife's tasty veal kabobs.
- Be warned about the bus - a lot of drivers who say they're going to Conca will drop you a mile straight down from where you want to be if you don't ask for Conca Tovere.
Trace U.
Atlanta, GA
United States
VERIFIED
Excellent
October 2016 - An absolutely amazing place and Giuseppe was a wonderful host.
The villa was the perfect size for the two of us and was a great home base for our explorations along the Amalfi coast.
Travel tips
- Even though we had a car, we found it more convenient to use Amalfi as our transportation base and took the ferry to the coastal towns from there.
- When driving to Amalfi, however, go back up the hill from the tower rather than down the hill. The road is VERY narrow headed down and for those folks not looking for a thrill ride, it can be a bit frightening.
- If you go to Capri, skip the Blue Grotto! It is pretty, but at 22 euros plus tip, the 2 minutes inside the grotto is a bit expensive. If you do go to the Blue Grotto, the pictures will turn out much better if you don't use a flash.
- On the ferry rides, you can get better pictures from the windows inside the boat as there aren't people in between you and the coast like there are on top of the ferry.
David G.
London
United Kingdom
VERIFIED
Excellent
September 2016 - The apartment is excellent, with superb views.
The caretaker and his wife who let us in were really friendly, even though their English wasn't great (better than my Italian though!).
The apartment itself was clean and modern, and the roof terrace was excellent for spending quality time with a book and a glass of wine.
The walk down to the beach is quite long, but worth doing as it passes through some lovely picturesque streets, etc.
Had a great holiday, and will hopefully use you again soon. Thanks!
Travel tips
- Definitely worth hiring a car to get around.
- Don't go to the beach on the head as you have to pay to get in. There are better ones in the nearby villages.
Patrick K.
Dallas, Texas
United States
VERIFIED
Excellent
July 2016 - We loved staying at Villa Merlata and are so glad we picked it! The view of the sea from the front window is one I'd love to have every day of my life!
This unique one-of-a-kind structure has been magnificently restored and we'd stay there again in a heartbeat.
The caretakers Maria and Giuseppe were very outgoing and treated us like family.
Everything was perfect. Your staff is very responsive.
Thanks for making this part of our trip flawless and memorable!
Travel tips
- Make sure and rent scooters if you don't have a car. There are lots of steps in Conca. For us, scooters were a perfect way to see the surrounding villages like Ravello and Positano. We rented from New Conca Service and suggest renting one scooter for each person (two people on one scooter is not a good idea because the 50cc scooters will not have enough power).
- More information about our wonderful stay in Conca dei Marini is located online at my Italian post: fortheloveofitaly.blogspot.com (Search the Conca dei Marini post).
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