The Lemon Grove
The Lemon Grove is a 3 bedroom holiday villa with stunning views of the Amalfi coast from its hill-top setting above Sorrento, close to Pompeii, Capri and Mount Vesuvius.
The tower is truly one-of-a-kind, offering stunning views of the island of Capri and the Mediterranean.
How would you describe Torre Amalfi in a nutshell?
Torre Amalfi is a Saracen tower, turned villa rental, on the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. It is located in a national park, the estate stretches over 50 hectares, which is composed of stunning woodland, olive groves, and lemon trees, extraordinary fauna and beautiful views of Capri.
What is so special about Torre Amalfi?
Both the property itself as well as its location are unique and truly special. We are located right on the Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO site of legendary natural beauty, next to glittering coastal towns. Many are drawn to this area to partake in the glamour, excellent culinary offerings and stunning scenery.
The tower itself is part of an extensive portfolio of luxury properties where each piece is a successful blend of Italian history, design, and culture, mixed together with Scandinavian design and aesthetics. The tower is truly one of a kind. Its structure is fascinating and unpretentious, as it was stripped down to the bare essentials. The intricate stonework and tiles are now the ideal backdrop for some cool vintage pieces and décor.
Please tell us about the interior design/architecture. How would you describe it?
Built in the Middle Ages, the tower obviously had a completely different purpose compared to how we are using it today. It was a great challenge to refurbish, as there are very strict rules for such a protected historic site and our choices regarding the materials used were predetermined. The walls are natural local whitewash, which contrasts nicely with the rustic stonewall. Smooth local cotto stone was used on the floors to blend well with the overall structure. Actually, the biggest challenge during the tower’s renovation was the vaulted ceilings and arched walls.
The tower’s interior is ever evolving, but always keeping in line with its rustic structure. To create a cosy and beautiful interior we like to mix it up with kelim carpets and fabrics. Our décor philosophy is simple, as we realize that there are not many furniture pieces that would fit into such a rustic atmosphere. We do however like to create a bit of a contrast by adding some modern design pieces and artwork.
Please tell us about the food.
The tower is self-catering, but we can arrange for a private chef to come and prepare seasonal dishes on-site. Our guests really like having that option, as it is a great way to be introduced to local culture and cuisine. We also really recommend trying Limoncello (a lemon liqueur), which is used as a digestive after meals or as an aperitif. It’s often homemade using the juicy lemons that grow in the area. For those of our guests wanting to venture out, there are also several good restaurants in the area. We can of course give recommendations of our favourite places to guests.
Torre Amalfi is right above the Amalfi Coast and in between the gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno and offers extraordinary views of the island of Capri and the Mediterranean. The tower has been transformed into a stylish yet rustic guest accommodation. Upon entering the tower on the ground floor, there is a living area with a dining space, a well-equipped kitchen and a mezzanine bedroom with towering ceilings and light coming from the windows above.
On the next level are the bathroom and a second living room with a fireplace. The romantic master bedroom is on the top floor with another bathroom. It opens up to a massive platform terrace with stunning panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea.
There are also several different dining spaces outside. About 3 mins walk away is another building which offers an additional two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room and a beautiful sun terrace overlooking the coast.
The tower has 2 double en-suite bedrooms. The master bedroom is on the top floor, opening up to a massive platform terrace with panoramic views of the ocean. The other bedroom is a mezzanine room by the kitchen with no direct window. Light is coming from the windows above.
Due to the small steps inside the tower, it is not suitable for small children and the elderly.
The Olive Mill has 2 double en-suite bedrooms for a total of 4 people and it is a 3 minutes walk away from the Tower.
The tower has 2 double en-suite bedrooms (one bedroom does not have a direct window, light is coming from the windows above). The Olive Mill has 2 double en-suite bedrooms and it is a 3 minutes walk away from the Tower.
Due to the small steps inside the tower, it is not suitable for small children and the elderly.
Upon arrival guests are greeted with a ‘welcome kit,’ with coffee, tea, jam and breakfast items. They can also use produce from our organic gardens for their lunch and dinner preparations. The tower has Wi-Fi, state of the art audio and visual entertainment systems as well as air conditioning and heating. It is self-catering but a local chef can prepare seasonal dishes in the comfort of the villa. Guests who chose to do so have given us amazing feedback. Upon request we can also arrange for cooking lessons, a personal driver for touring the coast, as well as airport and train station transfers.
Despite being a luxury rental, we also host an Artist-in-Residency program focused on the fields of architecture, design, craftsmanship, hospitality and food. It was designed to inspire intellectual and cultural curiosity and provide a sanctuary where creativity can thrive among nature. The participating artists stay in the tower or in other buildings on the property.
The closest village to the tower is Termini, which is small and not at all touristy. The town includes one shop, a butcher, one bar and a restaurant, which we often recommend it to our guests as it offers a very simple and genuine experience. More restaurants are within a 15-minute drive. For example, Nerano, a former fishing town, has several high-end restaurants on the beach that offer amazing food. You can also rent a traditional ‘gozzo’ there and go out to explore the coastline, which is definitely an experience not to be missed.
The next beach is Mitigliano beach, which you can walk to within 15 mins. There are also sever-al hiking routes from the tower, making it an easy walk to Termini, Baia di Leranto, and Punta Campanella. Cultural highlights in this area include Pompei, Ercolano, Ravello, and many small, beautiful villages on the coast. Ravello has tons of old-world charm, grand villas and gardens, and also hosts the famed Ravello Arts Festival during the summer.
Sorrento is a resort town in southern Italy that is considered the gateway to the Amalfi Coast and perched above the bay of Naples. It is also a good jumping-off point to explore the vast archaeological sites of Pompeii and the surrounding countryside. Just three nautical miles off-shore lies the island of Capri. This area on the Sorrento Peninsula is home to several mythical legends and ancient history. In Homer’s epic tale, it is the place where Ulysses encounters the Sirens. The Greeks even built a temple here in honour of Athens.
We recommend having a car while staying at Torre Amalfi. However, we can organize transfers from the airport in Naples or the train station, and can also arrange for a personal driver to take guests on tours of the area. The streets leading up to the tower are very narrow and protected as a UNESCO site. We advise guests to park any larger vehicles at the lower section and then walk the remaining 10 mins to the property.
The Amalfi Coast and, more specifically, the town of Sorrento are a great holiday destination all year round. During the summer, from May to October, it is a very social and lively place. However, it is rather hot during the summer months, therefore the winter is a much better time for exploring the area and it is just as beautiful. This makes it the perfect time to go hiking and try out the different routes along the coast.
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