Reviews of Villa Ridente

Self catering accommodation in Praiano, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Sue N.

Encino, CA

United States

VERIFIED

Larger than I thouhgt!

May 2024 - The home is lovely and has everything you would need.

The pictures depict it correctly.....the rooms are even larger than I thought they would be. The view is gorgeous. The steps were a little challenging for us seniors but we did it and it was worth it.

Thank you for the opportunity to stay here and get a good hint of how it would be to live in a "hill house".

Ruth C.

Dublin

Ireland

VERIFIED

Excellent

September 2023 - Generous space with a fabulous view and spotlessly clean.

You can't improve the villa anymore it was wonderful.

Summery In Italy run a very smooth and efficient business and they are extremely helpful.

Travel tips

  • There is a grocery shop down the stairs which is very handy and although small you can get everything you need.
  • The bus goes from the town square up the road to Positano which is great.
  • There are wonderful restaurant nearby, I would particularly recommend Kasai.
  • It is a very special place to holiday.

George M.

Pleasanton, CA

United States

VERIFIED

Excellent

September 2023 - Very nice place to stay. Beautiful views. There are a lot of steps, but that comes with the area.

Summer In Italy was great.

Travel tips

  • The market at the bottom of the stairs has everything you need. Nice people work there.
  • The Kasai Restaurant nearby is very good.
  • The Path of the Gods can be accessed by a long set of stairs approximately 200 meters away.

Tracey P.

Mermaid Waters

Australia

VERIFIED

We loved our stay

August 2023 - We loved our stay at Villa Ridente. The main bedroom is very spacious and has air conditioning; as for the upstairs rooms the double has air conditioning and the twin has a fans. We were there in August though and there was not a problem.

Praiano is the perfect spot to base yourself for the Amalfi Coast as it is quieter than most of the other towns but still easily accessible. The house is high above the village itself, however, there are local buses that stop just in the square not 20 meters from the steps to the house.

There are about 50 steps to the house so if steps are an issue this is not for you. That being said it did not bother us at all as the views are just amazing. I could not stop taking photos of the same view!!

Peppino [the caretaker] was great and even drove my sister to the hospital when she hurt her neck and translated for us. He was only ever a phone call away and that was very reassuring.

Summer In Italy were fantastic to deal with and answered every question promptly and certainly were very helpful on the couple of times that we felt the need to contact. I would highly recommend. As this was my first trip back to Italy in a very long time I felt very reassured that everything would go well.

Travel tips

  • Go to the tourist info place in the village on your first day! They will provide you with bus timetables, maps, and a general overview of the area.
  • There are so many lovely restaurants to choose from but a couple of my faves were Kasai and Open Gate Hotel Restaurant, Restaurant Il Pirata, and Pizzeria Donna Stella at Amalfi is a must.
  • There is a bus that goes to Positano from the square below the house and its super easy to catch it there and back but I would go early in the day as it gets very busy (or just go in the evening).
  • There is a little shop at the bottom of the stairs of the house that has the basics and if you can't see what you want just ask! They have things out the back!!

Steven S.

Dumfries, VA

United States

VERIFIED

A beautiful house with a wonderful caretaker

July 2023 - A beautiful house with a wonderful caretaker (Mr Peppino).

Great view from the entry-level master bedroom (with balcony) and the front terrace. Immaculately kept.

Great location - minimarket right next door and a short walk the market (Tutto Per Tutti). Likewise, short walks to fine and casual dining, beach, bus stop and ATM.

The caretaker was very nice and helpful, a very nice vacation property.

Travel tips

  • Eat at Che Bontà - lunch or dinner, or Restaurant M'Ama! and Kasai for fine dining (make reservations for latter two).
  • Minimarket right below or short walk to Tutto Per Tutti for groceries.
  • There’s a cafe right next to the bus stop for breakfast, Cafe Novantaquattro (94) -- it also sells the bus tickets to Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento, etc. (there’s also a bus that loops around town).
  • The caretaker (Mr Peppino) can set you up with a nice day trip to Capri when you arrive.

Rosemary R.

Terenure

Ireland

VERIFIED

We really enjoyed our stay

June 2023 - We really enjoyed our stay in Villa Ridente. Breakfast on the terrace with the fab view was the high point.

The bedrooms (especially the main one) are very good, as is the kitchen. We really liked the way Villa Ridente is sort of midway between the two coves - or rather not too far from either (though descending was the easy bit!).

I found Summer In Italy very helpful. I appreciated the promptness and clarity of responses. It was very easy to book the house and to get any information we needed.

Travel tips

  • There is easy access from the piazza up the street from Villa Ridente, to a walk with superb views up behind the house. We weren’t clear as to where the Path of the Gods started / finished but we assumed that this formed part of it. Such flowers, such scents - truly a delight.
  • One of the trips we took while in Praiano was the boat taxi to Positano - so much easier and pleasanter than the bus.
  • The archaeology museum there is worth a visit.
  • It took us an age to make it to Pompeii so, if I were doing it again, I’d opt for the expensive coach trip that goes direct from Praiano.
  • Our trip to Ravello might have been the highlight of the week. Again, in retrospect, the boat taxi to Amalfi would have made getting to Ravello much faster / easier.
  • Unlike the other commentators, we found the nearest restaurant Kasai to be the least good of the ones we visited.
  • I felt considerably fitter after our week in Villa Ridente!

Charlotte R.

Canton, GA

United States

VERIFIED

We loved our stay!

April 2023 - We loved our stay! Villa Ridente is lovely and has so much charm and character!

It was clean and comfortable and taking the bus to different locations was easy! The view is beautiful!

Amparo R.

Mornington

Australia

VERIFIED

Did enjoy

October 2022 - We did enjoy our stay at Villa Ridente with our young family.

We have been most impressed with Summer In Italy and would highly recommend your company. All our questions and enquirers have been dealt with in a very prompt and professional way. The transport from and to the airport was excellent and recommended by yourselves. I would certainly use your company again without hesitation.

Donna O.

Kenosha

United States

VERIFIED

We absolutely loved Villa Ridente!

July 2022 - We absolutely loved Villa Ridente! The house was perfect for myself, husband and our three adult children. Very authentic style, great breezes through the whole house, plenty of room for everyone. The views will take your breath away, from every part of the house. Also, we fell in love with Praiano and look forward to visiting again.

I think the house was very lovely and met everyone’s needs. We simply loved our stay, and are plotting on how we can get back there in the future! Thanks very much! Oh, and keep Peppino [the caretaker] there forever! Without his guidance, we would’ve lost a lot of time and energy (and cash!) trying to figure out the area! From the moment we got there, Peppino was there to guide us through the house and give great advice and suggestions for activities, and helped plan them with us. Invaluable to have someone to help us get familiarized with the area, not to mention that Peppino brought us to a great restaurant the first night, then helped us get our groceries afterward! Never had such attention and wonderful service - can’t say enough about Peppino and the care and consideration of he and Summer In Italy.

We felt that Summer In Italy was excellent. Not sure we’ve had such great care in our travels. Thank you!

Travel tips

  • Swimming at One Fire Beach was a highlight for our family.
  • Stop at Café Mirante on the way back from a swim for a cocktail!
  • Lots of stairs when you’re in the Amalfi Coast, but it’s all very worth it.
  • Our favorite restaurant in Praiano was Kasai. We ate there three times! It’s only about a 10 minute walk down the street from the house.
  • Go further down the street and you’ll find a nice grocery store that will have just about anything you’ll need.
  • We took buses to both Positano and Amalfi and found it to be easy to get around the coast.
  • Had a private driver on one of our first days there, and that really helped to get an overall picture of the area.
  • We took a boat trip to Capri, on Peppino’s suggestions, and it did not disappoint. Well worth it for the price.
  • We had a pasta making class in Ravello, overlooking the sea, which was incredible.

Margaret K.

Edinburgh

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Well positioned for fabulous views

October 2019 - Villa Ridente is well positioned for fabulous views and is a very traditional italian house. It is very clean and the kitchen particularly spacious and reasonably well equipped. Not for someone who does not like steps (approximately 50 up from the street) but it's steps everywhere on the Amalfi Coast so you get used to it.

Praiano is a nice spot - few tourists and has more of a local community feel. It is perfectly positioned to visit Positano and Amalfi/Ravello by local bus. Being there for the fest of St Luke's was a bonus with brass band. Although there is not much to do here in mid October I would come back to this area to avoid the crowds of Positano and Amalfi which were great to visit.

It was all pretty easy and a good experience with Summer In Italy.

Travel tips

  • Get buses where you can instead of driving. Buses are pretty cheap and a local bus just goes round Praiano, good when weary of steps.
  • The way to the "beach" at Praiano is 350 steps down (and then back up) a bit arduous but a great little bar en route worth a visit.
  • Restaurant Kasai (which does not serve pizza) was really excellent.
  • The shop at the foot of the house had almost everything we needed and the fruit and veg was good quality. No need to stray much further to other shops. The chemist was also useful.
  • Trip to Amalfi is recommended and coffee and pastries at Pansa.
  • We ventured to Pompeii. Try a cooler day for this trip and take sun cream and a hat. Buy tickets in advance on line if you don't want to queue too long!

Annette B.

Aurora

Canada

VERIFIED

Very comfortable and cozy

September 2019 - We really enjoyed Villa Ridente. It was very comfortable and cozy. We loved that the local bus stop was in such close proximity to the house. Also, the mini mart located at the bottom of the stairs, was very convenient a number of times. We had a church that we could go to within walking distance, which for our group, was important. Overall, this place was easy to get to and close to everything we needed from Praiano!

Summer In Italy was a good web site to use. Friends of mine recommended it. Thanks for everything.

Travel tips

  • The Walk of the Gods was one of the highlights of our trip. We caught the Sita bus to Bomerano and hiked back to Praiano, ending up right by our house!
  • There were restaurants everywhere and we enjoyed each one that we visited.
  • The Summer In Italy web site listed a cooking class in Positano, 'Marina in Cucina Positano for Foodies'. We thought it sounded good and signed up for a class. For us it was one of the highlights of the trip! Marina is very friendly and welcoming. The class was in her beautiful apartment overlooking the sea. It was informative and fun. We were two couples and we even had some friendly competition between the guys and the gals! And the food was excellent!
  • We also made a spontaneous trip to a town called Ravello. There was a beautiful garden there that was peaceful and well worth a visit to. Again, easily accessible by bus.
  • My only advice is that if you did have a plan that involved the Sita bus - which is the one that runs between towns, start your day early because Praiano is between Positano and Amalfi. If the bus fills up before getting to Praiano, you won't get on that bus. One day we had to wait close to an hour and a half to get on a bus! And cabbing between towns can be costly.

Susan F.

Haywards Heath

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Such a lovely home

August 2019 - We loved Villa Ridente, the beautiful ceramic tableware, well equipped kitchen, high quality furnishings, and the wonderful views from the terrace. It was very comfortable, clean and well kept. A pleasure to be able to use such a lovely home.

I chose to book with Summer In Italy because of the number of properties available through them, the informative web site, and the excellent customer service. Any questions I had were responded to very quickly and I found them professional and efficient throughout the booking process and in the lead to our stay in Praiano. Could not fault any of the staff I had contact with.

Travel tips

  • The mini mart at the bottom of the steps leading to the house was very useful, had fresh bread daily and plenty of delicious fruits and vegetables.
  • A short walk away (approx 10-15 minutes) is the excellent Kasai Restaurant and a little further along the same road La Moressa Italian Bistro.
  • There is a larger supermarket by La Moressa Italian Bistro that has a wine cave in the basement.
  • The local bus was a godsend for getting up and down, finishing at one end at Marina di Praia Beach where one can get water taxi's along the coast and the free shuttle boat to One Fire Beach which is well worth a visit and great fun, especially for younger visitors.
  • The adjacent Gavitella Beach is more suitable for children. You can walk down to the beach and there is a very welcome bar part way along that has fabulous views and delicious lemon granita and cocktails.
  • We were in Praiano for my daughter's wedding and I cannot praise enough the wonderful Locanda Costa Diva Restaurant where the reception was held. Food there is fantastic as are the staff!

Jim F.

Folkestone

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Loved it

June 2019 - Loved it. Villa Ridente was perfect for us.

Travel tips

  • Just enjoy Praiano, which is a lovely town with very friendly and helpful people - especially the lady in the store downstairs.
  • For transfers from Naples to Praiano, suggest you use the Praiano taxi company, who are very reliable and friendly.

Anthony M.

Faulconbridge

Australia

VERIFIED

Excellent

September 2018 - We absolutely loved Praiano and fully enjoyed our stay at Villa Ridente.

The house was clean and reasonably well equipped. It is in a great location, easy walking distance to local restaurants, the local Praiano bus stops only 50 meters away and the views along the coast are sensational. Another absolute bonus was having the little grocery store at the bottom of our steps. The staff there were lovely and the little shop seemed to stock everything we needed.

The property manager, Peppino, was very nice and helpful.

A few minor negatives with Villa Ridente was: no electric kettle for boiling water and the sloping ceilings in the top floor bedrooms made it a little uncomfortable for the adults sleeping there.

These few issues aside, my group of 6 really enjoyed our stay at Praiano and would highly recommend Villa Ridente as a wonderful place to stay.

Your accommodation service is wonderful. Luca, you and your staff are all first class and I will thoroughly recommend you and Summer In Italy to my friends and family. I will be only to happy to book through your company if we get back to Italy again. Thanks very much.

Travel tips

  • The little grocery store at the bottom of the house steps is wonderful.
  • There is a little family run trattoria just around the corner. It has great wine and sensational service.
  • Other restaurants in Praiano were really good as well.
  • For a more up market place to eat, Restaurant Il Pirata near Marina di Praia Beach is a top notch place to eat and the views are stunning.
  • The local bus service interno Praiano is sensational and is wonderful for getting around the town and to the local beaches and home again up the hill when you are tired and have had a big day out.

Nicola F.

Gillingham

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Excellent

August 2018 - We found Villa Ridente to be in ideal place easy to get to.

The view was fabulous, the manager was very helpful.

Hopefully we will go again one day.

Very helpful website easy to use and accurate with availability.

Travel tips

  • Take a boat ride from Praiano for a day to Capri.
  • Restaurant La Strada was very good and they will pick up and drive you home.

Lina S.

Montréal

Canada

VERIFIED

Excellent

July 2018 - Villa Ridente is very well situated and all the commodities are excellent: well furnished kitchen, comfortable beds, clean, spacious etc.

The caretaker, Mr. Peppino, is very helpful. He helped us in organizing a trip to Capri, found us parking for our car, helped us with groceries, gave us directions to get to places. His help made our stay very smooth.

We definitely recommend this place to other travelers.

The thing I appreciated most is that the description offered by Summer In Italy regarding the property is exactly what we found on site. No surprises. The emails received on a regular basis even before the departure give us a lot of information which is greatly appreciated.

Travel tips

  • Very important to mention that although the beach is not very far, it does require going down 350 steps and that means coming up too!
  • For groceries we recommend the shop A'Puteca, varied products and they deliver also.
  • Restaurant: a must try is Restaurant La Strada.
  • Activities: Sentiero degli Dei, completely majestic but begin the course from Bomerano if not you will have to go up 1000 steps from Praiano.
  • Capri and Sorrento also to see.

Paul B.

Chillicothe, Illinois

United States

VERIFIED

Excellent

May 2018 - We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

Geraldine S.

Edmonton

Australia

VERIFIED

Very good

January 2018 - Magnificient views, Many steps to climb to get to Villa but worth it for the views.

Nice little shop down under villa, very convenient. Not much open over the winter months. Definitely need a car if staying in winter, Praiano is very small. No car parking, very difficult to find a park.

Travel tips

  • Villa is very clean and comfortable.
  • Limoncello made locally if excellent and a fabulous ceramic shop with magnificent Italian.
  • Parking definite issue.

Louise C.

Auburn South

Australia

VERIFIED

Very good

September 2017 - Villa Ridente is a comfortable holiday home, providing everything needed for a great stay. It was spotlessly clean and well presented.

It is a quiet location, but only 5-10 minutes walk to the main street of Praiano. Also has great access to the sentiero degli dei.

Our local contact, Peppe, ensured we had all we needed and arranged a boat trip to Capri for us, which was a highlight of our visit.

Travel tips

  • There is a small grocery store just downstairs from the Villa, and a larger one, Tutto per Tutti, a short walk away on via Umberto (follow the path beside Chiesa San Luca, then take steps down to the right).
  • We enjoyed dinner at Vivaro and Ristorante La Strada and had a great day relaxing at One Fire Beach.

Philippa B.

Ashford

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Very good

August 2017 - Villa Ridente is in a beautiful location away from the hustle of the bigger resorts with stunning views.

Overall it was a very comfortable villa although the one bedroom without air-conditioning was difficult to sleep in as we were there in August and it was extremely hot.

Overall we very much enjoyed our stay.

The website is very informative and we felt confident that you knew the area. The customer service was excellent with very quick responses to any queries.

Travel tips

  • The villa is a long way up but the local bus comes up to the street it is in - you can buy tickets in the mini-market at the bottom of the steps.
  • Tutto per Tutti is good for shopping and there is one shop on the main road that delivers - your shopping and you!
  • Il Rifugio is a tiny restaurant and is wonderful and very friendly.
  • We also enjoyed Restaurant M'ama and Bar Mare which is at the Praia beach. From Praia beach you can take the bus.
  • One fire beach is great but a hard walk back.

Mary J.

Olton, West Midlands

United States

VERIFIED

Excellent

July 2017 - Fantastic! Would go back to Villa Ridente anytime. Staggering views. Well equipped kitchen. Views to die for! It was perfect!

Very impressed your website and all the helpful information.

Julie C.

Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates

VERIFIED

Very good

Travel tips

  • There is a bus service not too far away but for the most part you would have to do a lot of walking to get anywhere.
  • The Vivaro Wine Bar was absolutely fantastic and definitely worth the visit. Best meal we had!!

Norb G.

Venice, Florida

United States

VERIFIED

Excellent

May 2017 - Villa Ridente was spacious for 6 people. The kitchen and eating area is very inviting with all of the amenities. The bathrooms were tight but functional. The beds were very comfortable on the hard side of comfort. The views were fantastic of Praiano and the sea. What a marvelous setting.

Great mini-market store at the bottom of the 60 steps to the street. Pizza Jolly was great just a short walk around the switchback. The market place up the street, was a good place to park the car for short periods, but you have to pay per hour. Watch out for the meter maids!! Great location for the local bus route. Direct connection to Positano and the other SITA bus locations up and down the Amalfi coast.

What a wonderful property Villa Ridente is. The views are fantastic. We were very relaxed with the indoor amenities, and the outdoor accommodations. We can highly recommend this villa to future guests. Parking was the only issue we struggled with.

Travel tips

  • Get ready for the fantastic views of Praiano from Villa Ridente. Also get ready to walk up and down the 60 steps from the street level. Bottom line
  • given the amenities and the views, the stair climbing is worth it.

Heli P.

Helsinki

Finland

VERIFIED

Very good

April 2017 - We enjoyed Villa Ridente a lot. It is a nice, well kept place with amazing view.

Travel tips

  • Be aware of the steps (60) and parking that is 200-400 m away downhill along the road.
  • There is a grocery shop downstairs, but it is quite expensive and selection is limited. We recommend do larger shopping in bigger cities. There is also a bigger shop quite close downhill.
  • We made a trip to a nice agriturismo place called "Le Grottelle Sorrento" and ate an excellent lunch there.
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