We stayed at Palace Rocco - Villa Sunshining in Love - for two weeks in June and July of this year. It would be nearly impossible to describe everything that was wonderful about the experience, but I will highlight a few of our favorites.
1. The villa itself - It was meticulously clean when we arrived. The rooms were lovely, spacious, and comfortable; this is no ordinary rental by any means. If you think the pictures are gorgeous, be aware that they are indeed accurate. Every room had a feeling of casual luxury - not stuffy and formal, but welcoming and special.
2. The outside living area - As wonderful as the inside of the villa was, we spent most of our time on the terrace which was filled with potted flowers and partially covered with an arbor of green leaves and blossoms. It was the perfect spot for a lazy breakfast, a family dinner, or a quiet nightcap. The view of the sea was amazing regardless of the time of day, and we were treated several times to the beauty of the moon rising over the water or a fireworks display from a boat celebrating a wedding at the restaurant below. Plan to spend much of your time outside if you rent this location. That said, because you are surrounded by lush greenery in the form of lemon trees and native plants, expect to deal with some insects. Citronella candles and spray and insect coils helped create a safe, bug-free space in the evenings.
3. The town of Praiano - It had a small, quaint downtown, beautiful churches, excellent restaurants, and a pretty sleepy vibe which was a nice contrast to the bustle and crowds of Positano and Amalfi. No matter how crazy our days were, whether from sightseeing, hiking, or shopping, we could count on Praiano being quiet and relaxing at the end of the day.
4. The people - Francesca was fabulous at preparing us for the arrival protocol and making arrangements for transportation and events. Luca did a great job of introducing us to everything about the house and the area and was always available to answer questions, give advice, or just ask how our stay was going. Chef Mario created a memorable five-course dinner for us our first week, even including fresh ingredients from his own garden. Definitely do this if you can; the food was fresh and plentiful, the cost reasonable considering the extent of the meal, and he did EVERYTHING - shopping, prepping, cooking, serving, and cleaning up.
You won't regret staying here if you visit the Amalfi Coast; you may regret it if you don't.
