VILLA CIMBRONE
Wonderful clifftop villa bursting with artistic treasures
ARRIVING AT VILLA CIMBRONE is rather like walking into a living temple of art. We were instantly smitten by its incredible hilltop location, fabulous gardens, extravaganza of artworks and heart-stopping views sweeping down from Ravello to the sea.
Temples, gazebos, crumbling cloisters, pillars mantled in vines and dozens of classical statues make Villa Cimbrone a must for anyone passionate about art. My girlfriend couldn’t tear herself away from the Terrazza dell’Infinito, with its row of sun-weathered marble busts and stunning backdrop of the Cilento mountains. The villa itself is bursting with artistic treasures, yet still has the feel of a wealthy friend’s historic home.
Rooms at Villa Cimbrone are strewn with antiques and huge armoires. The best have frescoed ceilings, huge stone fireplaces, original Majolica tile floors and ample old-time comforts. There’s a terrific pool terrace framing cliff-edge views, and you can have the park to yourself at dusk, when visitors are gone.
Hit the Spot
High above the Amalfi coast in clifftop Ravello.
Bedtime
Take a bedroom facing out over the sea. No need to close the shutters then...
Be Savvy
The villa is reached via climbing narrow lanes.
Be Smitten
Aristocratic clifftop villa with romance in spades.
Hollywood lovers
Greta Garbo famously eloped here with her lover Leopold Stokowsky back in the 1930s, and not surprisingly, lovers have been entwining here ever since. What secrets could the walls of our deliciously atmospheric bedroom tell, we wondered? It faced right over the sea, so no need to close the shutters…
Dining on Villa Cimbrone’s terrace is a must – if only for those incomparable Ravello views. We lingered there late over a chaser (having already lingered over breakfast, lunch and dinner), plotting our return next year.
Villa Cimbrone was reviewed for Room for Romance by Raz Murray
Temples, gazebos, crumbling cloisters, pillars mantled in vines and dozens of classical statues make Villa Cimbrone a must for anyone passionate about art. My girlfriend couldn’t tear herself away from the Terrazza dell’Infinito, with its row of sun-weathered marble busts and stunning backdrop of the Cilento mountains. The villa itself is bursting with artistic treasures, yet still has the feel of a wealthy friend’s historic home.
Rooms at Villa Cimbrone are strewn with antiques and huge armoires. The best have frescoed ceilings, huge stone fireplaces, original Majolica tile floors and ample old-time comforts. There’s a terrific pool terrace framing cliff-edge views, and you can have the park to yourself at dusk, when visitors are gone.
Hit the Spot
High above the Amalfi coast in clifftop Ravello.
Bedtime
Take a bedroom facing out over the sea. No need to close the shutters then...
Be Savvy
The villa is reached via climbing narrow lanes.
Be Smitten
Aristocratic clifftop villa with romance in spades.
Hollywood lovers
Greta Garbo famously eloped here with her lover Leopold Stokowsky back in the 1930s, and not surprisingly, lovers have been entwining here ever since. What secrets could the walls of our deliciously atmospheric bedroom tell, we wondered? It faced right over the sea, so no need to close the shutters…
Dining on Villa Cimbrone’s terrace is a must – if only for those incomparable Ravello views. We lingered there late over a chaser (having already lingered over breakfast, lunch and dinner), plotting our return next year.
Villa Cimbrone was reviewed for Room for Romance by Raz Murray
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Dining in
Neapolitan and Mediterranean dishes using organic fruit and veg from the Villa's own gardens are on the menu in the elegant vaulted dining room. You can also dine out on the terrace on warm summer evenings.
Dining out
Try Rossellini’s at Palazzo Sasso – at the other end of the village – or take a taxi down the hill to Amalfi, where La Caravella has an excellent reputation. Don Alfonso 1890 in Sant'Agata is also worth trying.
Where?
Villa Cimbone
What’s cooking?
Locally-caught fish, stuffed aubergines and peppers, calorific desserts. There's an extensive wine list.
Dress the part
It's vintage glamour here
Top table?
By the stone archways at the side, where the gardens tumble away
See & Do
Wander around Ravello's pretty streets and alleyways and get a taxi down the hill. To really enjoy the Amalfi coast drive to Positano, take a local bus or a chauffeured car option – it's a white-knuckle cliff-edge ride and the road can be crowded in summer. You can visit Capri or other spots on the coast by hydrofoil.
Spa
There's a spa just half a kilometre from the hotel.
Shop
Pick up some of the region's famous pottery and ceramics in Ravello's many little galleries.
After dark
Sip a limoncello on the terrace and watch the twinkly lights below – mesmerising.
Dates
Mid summer
Try to get tickets for one of the open-air productions in the Ravello Festival.
GETTING THERE
Location
Via Santa Chiara, 84010 Ravello
Parking
You'll need to park ten minutes away from Villa Cimbrone in the village. Call the hotel on arrival, and a porter will be in the main piazza within minutes to whisk your bags away on a buggy. It's a very pleasant (though mainly uphill) walk to the property.
Trains
Salerno station – 35 km
Taxis
EUR 120 to the station
Airport
Naples – 65 km
Rooms and suites
17 rooms and two suites.
Special features
Rooms are laden with atmosphere and the best look down over the valley. Some have jacuzzi baths, and all have flat screen TVs and internet access.
Also…
The grounds are romance on a plate: no wonder Greta Garbo famously fell in love here. A roll-call of other glamorous names have stayed.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 380 – 950
Open/closed
Closed November – April
Check-in
2pm.
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
Two nights
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10.30am. Look out for the home-made marmalades.
Room service
Available morning and evening
Children
No restrictions
Pets
Not allowed
Air conditioning
Yes
Languages
English, Italian, German and French
Wedding license?
Yes – for receptions of up to 140 guests
Your contact
Paola Vuilleumier – owner
Location
Via Santa Chiara, 84010 Ravello
Parking
You'll need to park ten minutes away from Villa Cimbrone in the village. Call the hotel on arrival, and a porter will be in the main piazza within minutes to whisk your bags away on a buggy. It's a very pleasant (though mainly uphill) walk to the property.
Trains
Salerno station – 35 km
Taxis
EUR 120 to the station
Airport
Naples – 65 km
Rooms and suites
17 rooms and two suites.
Special features
Rooms are laden with atmosphere and the best look down over the valley. Some have jacuzzi baths, and all have flat screen TVs and internet access.
Also…
The grounds are romance on a plate: no wonder Greta Garbo famously fell in love here. A roll-call of other glamorous names have stayed.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 380 – 950
Open/closed
Closed November – April
Check-in
2pm.
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
Two nights
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10.30am. Look out for the home-made marmalades.
Room service
Available morning and evening
Children
No restrictions
Pets
Not allowed
Air conditioning
Yes
Languages
English, Italian, German and French
Wedding license?
Yes – for receptions of up to 140 guests
Your contact
Paola Vuilleumier – owner
