This fascinating 17th-century baroque style home is located on a cliff at the top of Positano offering breathtaking views over the Mediterranean Sea.  Villa Araceli was originally a small monastery and after a 7-year restoration was transformed into a luxury private villa with all the modern commodities including a full-service spa and a private wine cellar.  Today the property is one of the most prestigious retreats in Amalfi Coast for celebrities from all around the world.  The five luxurious rooms with en-suite bathrooms can comfortably accommodate nine persons.  

The grounds include a private driveway leading to an exclusive garden with traditional Vesuvian stone paving, pomegranate trees, and a lovely outdoor gazebo.  The baroque interiors are decorated with frescoed ceilings, elegant stucco elements and a collection of antique paintings dating back to the beginning of the 19th Century.  During that period, Amalfi Coast had started to attract travelers who couldn’t resist its timeless beauty and one of the European visitors who fell in love with the picturesque town of Positano decided to move there with his wife.  The couple lived in Positano until the beginning of the 20th century and converted the villa into a cultural museum decorating it with precious artworks and antiques.  

On the ground floor, the semi-outdoor private courtyard lined up with massive terracotta vases and hand-painted majolica tiles leads inside to the formal living room and dining area featuring a big fireplace.  The dining area is tastefully furnished with a bookshelf, an antique Tuscan oak table with seating for eight to twelve persons and a mixture of antique and modern Tuscan armchairs.  The rustic kitchen with its stone arches, marble-top counters, and a stone fireplace is fully equipped with high-end appliances including eight gas burners and two built-in pizza ovens.  A spacious outdoor terrace offering panoramic views of the picturesque town of Positano and the coast is ideal for alfresco lounging and dining!  The grand staircase with its colorful stucco decorations, statues, vases, and the antique artworks lead to the guestrooms on the upper level.

The guestrooms are distributed between the upper floor and the attic.  On the upper floor, there are two master bedroom suites decorated with baroque furniture and equipped with modern amenities including air conditioning, Wi-Fi, safe, minibars and flat-screen TVs.  Each suite has a comfortable sitting area, an en-suite bathroom, and access to an outdoor terrace overlooking the sea.  The attic floor houses two junior bedroom suites with en-suite bathrooms, sea view and direct access to the garden.  There is also a single bedroom with en-suite bathroom perfect for a  young guest.

The lower floor of the villa houses an indoor private spa inspired by the Roman Baths and the Romans who believed in ‘Salute Per Aqua’ which means ‘health through water’.  The spa includes an indoor heated pool with massage jets and a waterfall, a Turkish bath, sauna, massage room, relaxation area and direct access to an outdoor private terrace with sundeck and a hot tub.  

Upon your arrival day, you will be welcomed with a special dinner prepared by the villa’s top talented chef including typical Mediterranean cuisine with local fresh ingredients.  Every morning a delicious continental breakfast will be served at the outdoor terrace including fresh fruits picked from the garden.  The chef of the villa is at your complete disposal eight hours per day for preparing your favorite dish for lunch or dinner.  The grocery shopping is all done by the villa, so you only do the eating!  The cooking service is included in the rental price except for the ingredients which are the only thing you will have to pay extra.  You are invited to participate in a cooking course hosted by the chef in the historic kitchen of the villa.  During the course, you will have the opportunity to choose one recipe from Amalfi and learn how to prepare it.  Full cooking classes are also available at an extra cost where guests will learn how to prepare a number of local specialties.  Activities such as boat trips, wine tours, and excursions can be organized by the concierge of the villa during your stay.  Due to its location, the villa forms the perfect base for exploring the surrounding area with beautiful towns and beaches.