Imagine having access to a house on Italy’s Amalfi coast, overlooking the water, with cascading gardens, a private chef and all in perfect seclusion - this is Casa Privata
I think Casa Privata just might be the romantic hotel in Italy. It sits casually cool on Italy’s famed Amalfi Coast nestled between towering rock cliffs. Tucked halfway down the cliff between the town and the Mediterranean, the hotel is surrounded by lemon groves and gardens. Even the smell is enticing, whether its the bespoke blend of diffusers in the rooms or something delicious coming from the kitchen :) Surprisingly as romantic as it is, it’s still family friendly, but not overly so. It’s the perfect balance between romantic and curious enough for kids.
Gems are hard to find and Casa Privata was no exception. It’s in the charming town of Praiano, between Amalfi and Positano, which is easy to find.. But be warned, you will have to go down (and up eventually) hundreds of stairs to get to the hotel. It helped that we were met at the top of the trail by two porters who scooped up our luggage and led us to the property. After making our windy way down the stairs we were (excuse the pun) completely winded. But, we quickly caught our breath as we feasted on the sight before us; vibrant green lawns overlooked the sparkling sea, a casual check in desk sat at the centre of the garden and next to it was a bartender whipping up a delicious craft cocktail for us. Was it worth the schlep down the stairs? You bet.
Casa Privata was discovered while the current owners were sailing down the Amalfi coast and noticed a ruin that sat apart from all the others in the area, overlooking the wide open sea. With some renovations and lots of love, the ruin became an elegant home and then a luxurious boutique hotel. Even today, when the Amalfi coast is filled with luxury hotels, Casa Privata stands out with its chic rooms, exclusive access to a private seafront and stunning gardens.
“Casa Privata stands out with its chic rooms, exclusive access to a private seafront and stunning gardens.”
Spread across 5,000 square meters, the gardens became one of our favourite haunts with Axel channeling his inner explorer and ‘discovering’ plants while Chris and I sipped on wines and cocktails...balance right :) While chatting with the hotel’s team, we discovered why the gardens had such a magnetic pull; they’ve been designed by Jacques Wirtz, a celebrated Belgian landscape artist.
It’s not unusual to pick up tit bits about Casa Privata from the staff. It’s family owned and operated and the staff are only too happy to have a long conversation about anything under the Italian sun. We even spent time with the owner, talking about Italian food, culture and what it’s like to raise boys. Meanwhile, the staff scooped up Axel and introduced him to each member of the Casa Privata team; he became fast friends with the chef...he knows how where to find the cookies and gelato.
Through out our stay, the team went all out to make Axel comfortable. In our room, they had set up a comfortable crib and had even set aside some bath amenities, especially for him! Casa Privata has only seven rooms and we were staying in the Cupola D’Oro room which was sun-filled and spacious. Every amenity in the room was a story in luxury. Our beds were covered with Maison Margiela sheets and our bathroom was stocked with thick Egyptian cotton towels and heavenly scented Aesop’s bath products. We had our own private library and a high definition television, with over 400 different DVD options.
But, who needs television and books when your reality is so wonderful? My favorite feature of our room was the huge terrace which overlooked the gardens and the sparkling sea beyond; it was a beautiful place to enjoy a glass of wine and a meal. We were truly captivated by the view, and spent most of our days wandering the hotel’s property and losing ourselves to the languid Italian lifestyle.
“My favorite feature of our room was the huge terrace which overlooked the gardens and the sparkling sea beyond; it was a beautiful place to enjoy a glass of wine and a meal.”
As well as the sprawling gardens, Casa Privata has a private seafront. Smooth steps carved into the cliff lead directly into the sea where you can swim and float to your heart’s content. On your way down, you’ll find smooth cut outs which have oh-so-comfortable sun beds and loungers - they gave me the chance to do some work on my tan! Sun loungers can also be found surrounding the beautiful pool area which is a wonderful place to have a lazy meal. Because Casa Privata only has a handful of rooms — and so much space — you can be assured plenty of privacy.
Casa Privata is also happy to arrange for private excursions and adventures. Their charming motto is "tutto è possibile" (everything is possible) and they live by it; the staff can arrange a private boating trip, an expedition to Pompei, a hike in the surrounding mountains and even a romantic candlelight dinner.
“Because Casa Privata only has a handful of rooms — and so much space — you can be assured plenty of privacy. ”
Candlelight or not, every meal at Casa Privata is an delicious and romantic experience...I don't know how they do it :) Many of the ingredients used at Casa Privata are sourced from the hotel’s own gardens and lovingly crafted into delicious Mediterranean and Italian dishes. Our days would start with us being lured out from bed by the scent of baking bread and pastries. We would amble over to the dining area and feast on pastries, velvety cheeses, cured meats and eggs made to order. In fact - the chef at Casa Privata is an absolute star and will make just about anything you want to order.
We had our lunches and dinners in the gardens or on the covered terraces when it rained. Every meal was something to write home about, but my favorite was the duck breast with orange jus that was cooked to tender perfection and the delicate scallops. Axel, who had fast become best buddies with the chef, was treated like a king; he sampled every dish before it reached the table and was taken on private kitchen tours to taste exclusive treats. Yes he’s fancy like that.
“Many of the ingredients used at Casa Privata are sourced from the hotel’s own gardens and lovingly crafted into delicious Mediterranean and Italian dishes.”
Casa Privata sits just below Praiano, but remember that the stairs you descended to get to the property will come back to haunt you when you venture up to Praiano! It’s a beautiful, charming town, with pretty beaches, but it is difficult to maneuver through if you have a toddler in one hand and a stroller in the other. We visited Praiano once, but decided that we’d rather relax in the hotel than take on the narrow roads and countless steps.
If you visit Casa Privata, I’m sure you’ll feel the same. It’s a place where you truly want for nothing, because it offers you everything. If Chris and I ever decide to renew our vows or have a beautiful celebration, I’d want it to be at Casa Privata; a stunning, tranquil retreat.
