Sanctuare's Villa Tritone

Villa Tritone

Perched on cliffs on the Amalfi Coastline, Villa Tritone is a 19th-century showplace built by Ambassador William Waldorf Astor while he was the U.S. Ambassador to Italy. It has a grand architectural style both inside and out, and its garden, also designed and installed by Astor, is one of the finest in Europe. Upon entering the house, one is greeted by priceless Roman columns and statuary, and rare art is found all around the house. Surprisingly, despite its museum-quality pieces, the house is extremely comfortable. There are panoramic views from the rooms and terraces of the Amalfi coastline, Mediterranean Sea, Naples and Vesuvius.

Location

Villa Tritone is just on the outskirts of Sorrento, a charming Amalfi Coast town. It stands dramatically atop a sheer, 100-foot cliff over the Mediterranean. It is less than an hour from the Naples Airport.

Accommodations

There are seven bedrooms on three floors, all with air-conditioning, the majority with king-size beds. Windows of all but one bedroom open onto the sea. Beds and antique furniture in the bedrooms are grand.

Activities

The garden and cliff-top terraces are the focus of summertime living. Plants from all over the world, some of them ancient, provide a serene resting and strolling place - palms, oriental gardenias, orchids, mosses, ferns, succulents. In the garden is a small but lovely, curvilinear swimming pool. Shutters in the garden wall, when thrown open, provide luxurious breezes and sweeping sea views. A most unique swimming alternative is the platform on the sea reached by steep stairs from the house, ending at sea level with Roman-constructed tunnels and swimming grottoes still in use.

There is a game room with ping pong, table hockey and other table games.

The train to Vesuvius takes just less than an hour. The village of Sorrento is just outside the house's gates, and beyond is Amalfi and the other charming, seaside and hillside villages on the Amalfi Coast.

Dining and staff

Family cook Gracia is excellent; she collaborated with the lady of the house on a highly reputed Italian cookbook. Antonio, the head waiter, has been with the family for 20 years and his knowledge of the local area will greatly enhance guests' stays. The head gardener Genarro, despite his almost non-existent English, will charm you with garden tours.

Rates

Rates for parties of up to 14 guests are available upon request.
Meals and beverages, including wonderful local wines, are extra and are billed to the guest at cost, upon departure. A driver is available for local tours, but most guests will want to rent cars for maximum flexibility.