Villa Spotlight: Villa Lilly

Clinging to a cliff on Italy’s Amalfi Coast is a villa worthy of distinction. 

Villa Lilly on Italy’s Amalfi Coast is nothing short of divine. As one of Villa of Distinction’s little gems, the residence radiates the surrounding region’s dramatic appeal. Located in Praiano—just 43 miles from the Naples airport and a mere six miles from Amalfi in Italy’s Campania region—the world-class villa is perfectly poised for a reclusive luxury stay.

This campestral-chic residence, popular with celebrities like Michael Keaton, Barbra Streisand, and Ben Stiller, lies on a stunning stretch of coastline on Italy’s southern side. Neighboring Positano—memorable for its ancient heritage, panoramic position, pastel-colored houses, flower-filled terraces, and winding paths of near-vertical staircases—inspires fashion elite and artists alike.

The seven-bedroom villa is reached via 80 steps that descend from Praiano’s main street. The property consists of a primary house, guesthouse, beach house, and a tower. The 10,000-square-foot main house features sensational views extending to the isle of Capri. The design’s scenic effect of actually being out at sea has been celebrated in the pages of Architectural Digest. The house sleeps eight and is comprised of a ground floor with a spacious dining/living room, fireplace, and French doors; a modern country kitchen and pantry; a sophisticated yet simple bathroom; and two double bedrooms that open to a tastefully furnished terrace. The first floor houses a master bedroom with a fireplace and an ensuite bathroom with hydromassage bath, a large ocean-facing living room, and a small vintage bath and tub, along with another bedroom that also includes an ensuite bathroom featuring a hydromassage bathtub. The property’s guesthouse has a kitchen, bedroom, and luxurious bathroom, while the one-bedroom, one-bath beach house is characterized by its direct access to the Tyrrhenian’s waters and a boarding dock. Lastly, there is the one-bedroom, one-bath medieval tower that hovers over a free-form pool and is engulfed by thriving coastal gardens; a French bed, fireplace, and spiral staircase further its romantic appeal.

A small, four-member staff  provides colorful alfresco continental breakfasts, and the chef is available to prepare traditional Italian dishes accompanied by local wines. All meals are prepared fresh daily with ingredients from the on-site garden.

A stay at Villa Lilly may best be described by John Steinbeck, who wrote, “Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.” The villa itself is steeped in the region’s potent pull, which you’ll feel even long after you’ve gone.