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Review submitted by Steve from UK (Submitted: 24 Oct 2012)
This villa is wonderful and the photos posted do not make justice to its beauty. The views are terrific and the property is well arranged and comfortable. This is better than a resort and for a family holiday was perfect. The girls loved sunbathing around the pool whilst overlooking the sea...they felt like they were in a Hollywood movie :-). Down the road are a couple of restaurants, and we ate at Bikini nearly every night, magnificent food, wonderful people and great atmosphere. The town of Sorrento is delightful and at a short drive. There is plenty of easy parking in the town though, and the train to the Sorrento coast (and the bus)is easy to use and fun. Giulio and his father were lovely people and great hosts, we were sorry that we couldnt spend more time with them, but there was so much to do and see. Staying here was an absolute pleasure, and it is good for either a total chill out experience...or for sightseeing.
Review submitted by Steve from Leeds (Submitted: 26 Aug 2012)
We stayed at Villa Bikini for a week in August 2012. It is a well specified and comfortable holiday home. The best aspects of the villa are the pool and the views from the garden and pool. This is one of the nicest pools I have ever used in a holiday villa (the pictures on the web site actually dont do it justice) - it is magnificent. The views of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius are extrodinary. The villa is situated up a very steep hill so bear this in mind when walking back to the property or driving there - its not for the faint hearted!
The owner, Giulio, and his father, were very helpful and responsive.
I am happy to recommend the villa to others.
Review submitted by Lisa from Medway, Kent (Submitted: 2 Jul 2012)
This villa provided a great base to explore the area. The view from the small private garden is fantastic - straight across the bay is Vesuvius. The private parking area is right by the villa, and I would suggest that a car is a must if you want to explore the coast, and the short 15/20 minute drive to Sorrento is well worth it. Although we tended to be out all day, and managed to provide for ourselves, we found the large Auchan Supermarket at Pompeii was probably the best place to do the bulk of the shopping. The villa was perfect for 3 of us I am not convinced that a larger group would have been quite so comfortable. The kitchen was equipped with all the essentials but I found that there was very little space to work, and surprisingly there was no microwave.
I would certainly recommend a visit to the restaurant at the foot of the hill – The Bikini, although expensive, the location was fantastic and the views over the bay of the sun setting were stunning. However, the hill is very steep back to the villa, with not a great surface and is unlit, we unfortunately forgot to take the torch. Highly recommended.
Unfortunately there was no bbq at the villa although I believe there was on the shared patio area by the pool, although we preferred the privacy of the small garden rather than sharing with the family staying at the other villa. This area was rather monopolised by the other guests – even when they were not using the patio area, their belongings were still located there.
The dog at the adjoining villa provided me with no amount of entertainment and he was extremely well behaved. Although having seen the comments about him barking we were a little concerned, but we did not hear him at all, neither did we hear the family who were living there, although there were building works being carried out, we were not disturbed by them, possibly as we were out all day.
In general we found the villa met our basic needs, but failed to provide information about the immediate area, although there were a few guide books. On arrival we found that we had no hot water and it wasn’t until my partner had a search and discovered the boiler was switched off, although this was not until the following morning. The owners father met us at the Villa the night before, but was unable to answer any detailed questions, although we speak English and German! However, the family were very helpful and correspondence by text with the owner sister was prompt.
At other villas we have stayed at there has been an “honesty cupboard” where items which are staples – such as oil, pepper, dishwasher tablets etc were provided, this wasn’t here which we were a little surprised about. Also, as somebody else has said, there was maintenance people who came into the garden area (although we didn’t see them) and it was a little disconcerting to come back and find items moved about!!!
However, if I was to return to this area of Italy, I would immediately be looking to stay at this location, and I would certainly suggest to anybody visiting to consider staying here.
Owner reply:
Dear Lisa, thanks for your review.
I belive the 3 stars that represents: (Value: Good, Met expectations: Yes – satisfied, Recommend: Yes, Overall: Good ) refer more to the quality of your holiday in Italy that your stay at our Villa. Anyway I accept your comments but please let me add the following: the fact that my dad do not Speak English & German, it's not that big drama, he speaks Italian & French a basic English, you are English and you are coming to see Italy, so you cannot pretend everybody to speak your own language.
Regarding the little space in the kitchen if you asked I would tell that you can open a working table, that is much more then enough space. Regarding the swimming pool pato monopolised by the other family, this cannot happen, they can only come to the simming pool, if you had asked I would make it clearly, unluckly Iw as on a business trip, but as you said I replied promptly to all emails/txt. So if it was such a problem you should have pointed it asap.
Regarding mantainence, you refer to the man that takes care about swimming pool and garden. well if you leave your stuff on the grass, and it need to be watered I assume they will have to move your things.
All in all again my comment is that you ahve rated more your holiday, or your holiday approach then our Villa.
Kind regards
Review submitted by Lisa from Gillingham UK (Submitted: 1 Jul 2012)
The pictures of this lovely villa suggest a comfy, fresh, and stylish place with terrific views.... and thats exactly what you get!! We loved our stay here in Vico Equense that is in close walking distance from the own centre and set on a quiet hillside looking down to both Naples gulf with Vesuvius on a side and to Sorrento from the swimming pool terrace, just wonderful. There is all you need here - even a new barbecue for warm evenings on the terrace by the wonderful white marble swimming pool. Giulio and his family were helpful and charming, and we were reluctant to leave! Theres safe parking for a car - which is handy here, though there is the Circumvesuviana train stop Scrajo at a short walk. This is a high quality holiday accommodation, and were happy to have been its first visitors - thank you Giulio for making us welcome and our stay comfortable.
Review submitted by Michael from Didcot, Oxford, UK (Submitted: 23 May 2012)
Villa Bikini is a lovely property in a fantastic location and a perfect location for our family.
The views over the bay of Naples to Vesuvius and the coast are fantastic.
Great communication with the owner during the booking process and via owners sister who spoke English upon arrival, warm welcome from owners father to let us in.
The villa is comfortable and nicely furnished and the gardens/pool are well worth the extra money - I was sceptical at first when booking but once we saw the pool it was amazing and used every day!
The property is up a steep hill which is walkable if you are young/fit but with a young family (we had 3 year old and 10 month old) a car is a must.
The neighbours dog did bark a little as others have mentioned, but as others are said he just wants to play and ignoring him did the trick (most of the time).
There were a few minor niggles which I will post here for others to consider:
We were greated by the owners father who spoke little English who offered basic info there was no further information on the local area. As a self-catering villa, some basic information on things like the nearest food shops, nearest beach would be useful although we found this ourselves by a bit of exploration.
Most of the beaches in the area are private and you need to pay for access, sunbeds, changing rooms etc. There are some public beaches on main road to Stabia but in the evenings they are frequented by local people/food stalls and the steps down to the beach are filthy and covered in rubbish, there is also very limited parking.
There are some nicer public beaches the other side of Vico in Marina dEqua which we found much cleaner with better with better parking.
As a self-catering villa there is very limited storage space. There is a huge cupboard in the kitchen which is locked and marked private, there are cupboards next to the fridge similarly marked private. We ended up having to take all the cups/plates out of the cupboard to store the food we bought in that cupboard! On that subject the number of plates/knives/forks was quite limited for a villa supposedly able to take 9 people, seemed to be constantly washing things up to re-use.....
Villa could really do with a Microwave for reheating food (especially with baby).....
On our last day gardeners turned up to trim the hedges etc - this was a bit intrusive, on our last day we just wanted to relax in the villa and enjoy our final hours in the garden and didnt really need the noise/smell of guys using petrol hedge trimmers, we had to keep the children in the villa whilst they were there as they left dangerous tools lying around!
However on the whole still a fantastic villa in a fantastic location which I would recommend.
Owner reply:
Dear Mr Didcot,, thank you very much for your review. We have used your feedback to improve our offer.
First of all from the 11th of July an English speaking person will be always onsite when doing the check in. More general information will be added even though we have alway been keen to answer promptly by email to any kind of question.
Regarding the very limited space for storage, I believe you refer to the kitchen only. We have made the cupboard in the kitchen available for guest to use. So now the space will be adequate and the number of plates knives and forks has been increased even tough in general we offer a huge amount of items in the kitchen where even professional chefs did not complain.
Anyway we thank you for your review and we hope this improvements will be a benefit for all next clients.
Review submitted by Elena from Russia (Submitted: 28 Sep 2011)
We have enjoyed so much our holiday in Villa Bikini, the swimming pool area has a wonderful view. The owner is very kind and always available.
I hope to be back soon.
Review submitted by Alan from Norwich ENGLAND (Submitted: 25 Sep 2011)
The Villa Bikini is clean and very well appointed and confortable. The extra cost of the large pool was very well worth it.
The wonderful view across the the Bay of Naples to Vesuvius is something that we will always remember and must be one of the best views available along this part of the coast. We would often just sit to watch the sunset and the twinkling lights of Napoli.
The owner Guglio is very friendly and did all he could to make sure our stay was perfect and memorable.
We did not have own transport but once we found Scrajo station, about 15 minutes walk away,we went everywhere on the Circumvesuviana railway. Tickets are very reasonable and can be bought at the station.
Nearest food shopping was a small shop near rail station in Vico Equense but they had all we needed and a superb cake and icecream shop next door.
Some reviews mention the neighbours dog, which just wanted to be friends.We found that as long as you ignore him, he soon gets bored and settles down.
I would highly recommend this villa either as a quiet retreat or for those who want a base from which to explore the region.
I really hope we can stay here again soon.
Review submitted by Juul from Boutersem (Submitted: 18 Sep 2010)
Very nice property in beautiful surroundings!! Magnificent view over the Vesusvius and the Gulf of Naples. Great hospitality of the owners! Big house with all that you need and very clean!
Only a few minor weaknesses: youre very near to the sea, but you cant find a public beach wirthin miles! And there are no supermarkets around.
Review submitted by Hans from Germany (Submitted: 27 Jan 2010)
The owners were always available to help. The Villas is in a wonderfull position and we enjoied it very much. We were abale to reach within a short drive: Pompei, >Sorrento, Amalfi, positano and Napoli.
Once the swimming pool will be built we will certainly be back in the summer time.
Review submitted by Gail from England (Submitted: 12 Nov 2009)
Thank you very much for making us feel at home! Indeed we have loved our stay in this fabulous villa with breathtaking views.
Review submitted by Andy from Warrington (Submitted: 4 Nov 2009)
Beautiful location, very nicely furnished and attentive owners made it a very enjoyable and relaxing holiday.
Review submitted by Katerina from Saint Petersburg (Submitted: 2 Oct 2009)
The Villa is very well designed and furbished. You have anything you might need for both long and short term. We had the pleasure to use a wonderfull LCD TV with DVD Surround System.
It is located in a wonderfull position with breath take view. Our dog have enjoied a great outdoor space, garden and terraces but unluckly was not able to come with us on all the private lidos.
The logistics is perfect if you want to see the main atractions in the area.
The owner is kind and we were able to settle some damages with a very small cost for us.
Review submitted by Tatyana from Moscow (Submitted: 25 Sep 2009)
The apartment has marvelous Vesuvius views, comfortable rooms with very good equipment.
The apartment has private garden with almond and walnut trees, grapes and open terrace with fascinating sea views.
We spent unforgettable time there enjoying amazing sunset.
The best choice to use car to see Sorrento coast but its possible to use circumvesuviana (train).
We appreciate owner’s hospitality and we will visit this villa with a great pleasure once more.
Review submitted by Mimmi from London (Submitted: 31 Aug 2009)
This villa is a rare experience. The view is the best on Sorrento Coast. You are
a short walk away from a private sandu beach yet still have the entire bay of Napoli out your window.
The huge terraces and garden is of exclusive use.
There is plenty of room and privacy for everyone.
If you want, the other guests and the owner Giulio are great sources of information. Giulio is a fantastic host.
He would not let us walk down the hill with our bags to the Circumvesuviana train station that is only 400m away. He insisted on packing our family of 4 and bags into his car and driving us.
We will definately be back.
Review submitted by Vladimir from Toronto (Submitted: 10 Aug 2009)
We had a wonderfull stay in this quite villa. We were able toe asly visit all the main attractions on Sorrento Coast.
Review submitted by Stan from Preston (Submitted: 10 Aug 2009)
The property is beautiful and the owner is very nice and very generously shares his knowledge of Sorrento Coast.
The house is also very close to Circumvesuviana Train Station that takes you to Sorrento Main Square, Vico Equense, Pompei and Naples.
There is a steep 200 meters road to access the house, but you have two parking places only 5 meters from the main entrance.
The view is ammazing giving both on Sorrento and on The Vesuvious.
Review submitted by Juan from Miami (Submitted: 1 Jul 2009)
This vacation home is well equipped and has incredible views of the Sorrento coast on one side of the house, and of Naples and its volcano on the other side. Our stay here was memorable.
Review submitted by Angela from Nashville, TN (Submitted: 2 Oct 2008)
Absolutely beautiful property, breathtaking views, friendly, hospitable and accommodating owners. Bikini Beach is gorgeous and within walking distance also one inexpensive market where you can get sandwiches, snacks. All other restaurants within walking distance very expensive. Highly recommend having a car as the villa sits high on a steep hill and is in a pretty remote location. Sorrento, Pompeii, Amalfi just a short drive away. The dogs next door awoke us very early the first morning, but were pretty quiet the rest of our stay. Earplugs?
Owner reply:
I would only like to underline, that the villa is placed on a hill top (60 m on the level of the sea) 3 min walk from the beach, on the main communication road that takes you in 10 min to Sorrento and Pompei , 25 min to Positano, 40 min to Amalfi and Naples.
The town centre (Vico Equense) is at 2 km.
If you know the area you will appreciate the position cause it allows you to reach any important touristic site with a short drive.
The logistics of this property is excellent and in the summer period until the end of September do not require a car since at 8 min walking ( 800 meters) there is the Circumvesuviana train station. The above client did not use this service.
In winter time the closer Circumvesuviana train station is 2 km away.