VILLA ASTOR - SORRENTO

6 Bedrooms

Location and Surrounding Area
Set on the cliffs of Sorrento overlooking the glittering bay of Naples, this magnificent six-bedroom villa boasts one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Italy and is the perfect place for a relaxing break on one of the most famous stretches of coastline in the Mediterranean. With a spectacular cliff-top setting facing the Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples, it is no wonder the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento are must-visit destinations on everyone's bucket list. The ancient town center is laid out on a Roman grid of narrow lanes, now lined with exclusive restaurants serving gnocchi and shops selling lemon-themed souvenirs.

But away from the well-worn paths of the town center are little-explored nooks and crannies. The vaulted and frescoed Sedile Dominova, once a meeting space for aristocracy, is now a working-men's club where old-timers while away afternoons playing cards. Then there are traditional greengrocers and haberdashers huddled behind wooden shop fronts, the medieval palaces along Via Pietà, the magnificent courtyard of Palazzo Correale decorated with old majolica tiles, and artisan workshops producing the same wood intarsia for which the town became famous in the 18th century.

If Sorrento gets too much, the laid-back town of Vico Equense, which stands on a sheer tufa cliff just along the coast, makes an attractive base. Beach bums tend to head for the small pockets of sand tucked into coves at Marina di Vico and Marina d'Aequa, walkers might tackle the old footpath to Positano, a panoramic three-to-four hour trek clinging to the cliffs on the Amalfi coastline, and culture hounds hop on the Circumvesuviana train to march around the archeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, destroyed by the eruption of the volcano.

Set in the hills just below the ridge that divides Sorrento from the sheer southern coastline lies the village of Sant'Agata Sui Due Golfi, named for its domination of the gulfs of both Naples and Salerno. To the west and south-west of Sorrento is a hilly hinterland, the sprawling Massa Lubrense, and a wild and beautiful stretch of coast that developers have, so far, left untouched. The Massa Lubrense is home to small hamlets and ancient look-out towers, a reminder of repeated invasions over the centuries, surrounded by olive groves and citrus orchards.

Property 386 is 48 km from Naples Capodichino International Airport and 281 km from Rome Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. Sant’Agata Sui Due Golfi is 5 km from the villa, Vico Equense is 10 km, Nerano is 10 km, Positano is 14 km, Pompeii is 24 km, Amalfi is 31 km, Herculaneum is 36 km, and Naples is 45 km. The villa is located in the center of Sorrento, where all the necessary services can be easily found.

The Property
Dominating the Bay of Naples in the charming town of Sorrento, Property 386 boasts a lush botanical garden and a generous terrace with spectacular views of the Vesuvius, providing a perfect hideaway in one of the most beautiful corners on the Amalfi Coast. Trapped between an infinite blue sky and azure sea, the impressive cliff-top setting of this majestic villa ensures superb panoramas. With a rich history dating back to the Roman Empire, Property 386 can accommodate up to twelve guests featuring six double bedrooms with en-suite bathroom spread over five floors.

Surrounded by two hectares of magical botanical garden, the villa boasts a magnificent swimming pool and a generous poolside area equipped with comfortable sun loungers and deckchairs inviting guests to sit back and unwind. Offering a calm atmosphere, the garden boasts an outstanding collection of antique Roman artifacts dating back thousands of years and an exceptional al fresco dining area under an old wisteria-shaded pergola. From the garden, guests have direct access to the sea through an amazing internal pool in a natural grotto carved into the cliff.

Purchased by William Waldorf Astor in 1905, the villa has been masterfully renovated by French architect and interior designer Jacques Garcia, whose use of Greek and Roman statues, marble columns and other important archeological pieces give the property a truly unique feel, much like stepping into a museum. The elegant main entrance hall on the ground floor leads into a magnificent vestibule, two spacious living rooms and a library, all adorned with marble floors, large fireplaces and antiques. Each room boasts its own private balcony overlooking the sea.

Downstairs you will find a generous living room, an elegant dining room and a large fully-equipped kitchen with traditional black and white tiles. On the same floor you will also find an exclusive music room with a magnificent grand piano, a spacious terrace facing the sea and a glass-covered patio perfect for romantic dinners, parties and barbecues. The floor also houses an area for staff. Accessed by an external staircase, the lower ground floor of the villa boasts an exclusive wellness area which includes a massage room with shower and an exceptional gym complete with the latest fitness equipment.

Accessed by a majestic staircase, the first floor of the villa boasts a sumptuous master bedroom featuring a comfortable king-size bed, a walk-in dressing room and fireplace. The room also features a separate living area with French balconies and an exceptional en-suite bathroom with black marble tub, glass shower and fireplace. On the same floor you will also find a richly-appointed double bedroom with king-size bed, French balconies overlooking the garden and elegant en-suite bathroom. Adorned in black marble, the bathroom boasts a deep soaking bathtub and separate shower.

The second floor boasts a spacious double bedroom with king-size bed, walk-in dressing room and en-suite marble bathroom with large bathtub and separate shower. Furnished with the finest period furniture, the second floor also houses an elegant double bedroom featuring king-size bed, velvet chaise lounges, walk-in dressing room and en-suite marble bathroom with deep soaking bathtub and separate shower. On the same floor you will also find two comfortable double bedrooms featuring en-suite bathroom complete with shower. Each bedroom is adorned with rich fabrics and antique furnishings.

On the third floor of the main villa you will find a generous rooftop terrace offering spectacular views of Sorrento and the Bay of Naples. Accessed from the garden, the dépendance can accommodate up to eight additional guests featuring four double bedrooms and three bathrooms (two en-suite bathrooms with shower and one shared bathroom with shower) spread over three floors. The dépendance features a kitchenette with a small dining area and a living room complete with flat-screen TV. The dépendance is available on request.

The villa’s timeless charm is complete with all the conveniences and comforts of modern living. The villa features wireless Internet access, air conditioning and heating throughout the property, flat-screen TV with satellite channels and integrated sound system. Property 386 has an elevator serving all floors and private parking space for the exclusive use of the villa’s guests.