Does anyone know of any good web sites to use for booking rental apartments/villas in the Amalfi Coast area? Most of the web sites I see are for rentals in Tuscany and Umbria. Any specific recommendations for places you've stayed would also be appreciated. I would like to stay in Sorrento or Positano.

Check out the Parker Company. I believe they offer rentals in Positano.

Hi,
I've stayed in hotels in Positano but starting to compile rental information. Try the following, looks like they gave some great houses/apartments:
www.viatraveldesign.com
Have fun!
John

Try:
www.rentvillas.com - I have used them, they are on the West Coast of Calif.

also:

summerinitaly.com - I have used them too.

Both are professional, prompt and reliable.

I'm looking to book part of my Honeymoon (1 week approx.) in Positano. I've found some good villas in the links below (does anyone have any more?) - but I was also looking for some hotel recommendations - any ideas?

We stayed in the apartment named La Cisterna on this website this past summer and loved it!
http://www.torresponda-positano.com/
After looking at a number of websites (search villas in Amalfi), this was the best facility at a great price.

Hi all,

Am I crazy in thinking that the prices for Villas are a bit high? I know I'm travelling high season (Early June) but the average prices I'm getting quoted are €2,500 a week for a 1 bedroom. Is this as good as it gets?

About 3 years ago we (three couples) rented the first floor of a house outside of Sorrento from www.barclayweb.com.

Ville in Italia (http://www.villeinitalia.com/Amalfi.shtml) had the same property advertised. Four bedrooms and it was under $2000, with the most breathtaking views I've ever seen.

The arrangements worked out perfectly.

Try www.sorrentoinfo.com They list Positano rentals also. Another is Venere.com - just make sure you select apartments or b&b instead of hotels.

Close to making a booking but just thought I'd check if anyone on the board has any feedback on this Villa:

http://www.villeinitalia.com/servlet...=Villa%20Amore

Thanks,
Ken

It looks beautiful and very nice. From the description, it appears to be in a rural setting. Therefore, you won't be able to stroll to restaurants, grocery store, boats, etc. If you have a car, driving and parking in Positano is difficult and expensive (only one one-way road). You probably already know these things and have picked this apt out to be secluded. Wanted to point this out just in case.

Thanks for the thoughts Parker. The reason I was considering this one is the little hydro pool it has (and it's also not too expensive). I'll need to do a bit more research on the location - don't really intend to have a car while we're there.

Plates, check with your rep from the rental agency to find out if there is a SITA bus stop nearby, but remember the busses stop running about 9pm so you would have to taxi back to the house after that time. I wouldn't recommend walking on the Amalfi road at night (chance of getting hit by a car).

Hi, This past fall I was in your position. I looked on dozens of sites. I came across viatraveldesign and thought "what wonderful rentals". I then found summerinitaly site and found they were so much cheaper but varied in qualities and I finally found www.barclayweb.com and found this site to be at least 500$ less than via travel for the EXACT same rental properties. I booked my villa from barclay. They are an american company and again at least 500$ less a week for the exact same rentals. We are going to Prianio in May and renting the "Villa Amore". We talked with the company on the phone and did everything asap and are looking forward to a great vacation. I must say that summerinitaly is great too. We got caught up in sharing a villa with family and lost the first choices with summerinitaly. Look at the" casa stella "on their site.Believe me I spent hours comparing. Any questions email me. Ciao, Rosetta

I agree with your comment on the pricing. I couldn't believe the differences in price for the same properties.

While I'm here - I do have another quick question. Presumably most of the bars, restaurants etc. are down towards the beach. If this is the case what are the options for getting back "up" to your property at night? Do the buses run late or are there taxis? I wouldn't fancy walking along those long and winding roads!

In Positano, there are taxis that can take you back up the hill. We stayed close enough to the beach that we could walk to our apartment (not a stroll in the heat wave of Summer '03 but doable). There are also busses that make the loop on the one-way road. However, there was always a huge crowd waiting at the intersection for the next bus and the bus was crowded. We noticed that there were a large number of Italian families who come into Positano everyday for swimming and shopping. The waiting area for the bus was like a hang out place for locals - especially teens and young adults! Lots of 'ciao-ing' going on.

Aagghh!! The villa I wanted to book in Positano was booked by someone else 2 hours before I put in my request. However, Sybille in Villeinitalia.com was very helpful an gave me a list of comparable properties along the Amalfi coast. This got me thinking - maybe I was too hasty in deciding on Positano. You seem to pay a premium there (compared to Priaino for example) for accommodation. Has anyone experienced both? If so - which would you recommend? We would ideally like somewhere with access to a pool but these are hard to come by. I suppose the most important thing is access to restaurants and bars. I was considering this property if anyone has any feedback: http://www.villeinitalia.com/servlet...odeText=CPO058

Plates, I rented Villa Amore from barclayweb.com. The viila has a nice size hydromassage pool like a spa on the property. It is in between Positano and Prianio. I also fell in love with the suite regina on summerinitaly site. It is a suite for two on Amalfi a fabulous Villa complex with a seawater pool right on the cliff right next to the seawith nothing in front of you except water. They will pick you up at the airport etc. It really is exciting. Really look at those properties they are amazing.You have the history of an ancient villa with views to die for and on Amalfi. Rosetta

Well - I finally made up my mind. Decided to go for Villa Amore:
http://www.villeinitalia.com/servlet...mp;byCodeText=

Thanks to all for your help and advice. How we just need to find a nice hotel in Bologna and Florence.

Ken

Plates,Go to www.slowtrav.com. look up review #530. It has a review of villa amore from people who stayed there. I also have been emailing my agent who we booked the villa through and asked a few questions.The manager can arrange for taxi pickups for you at the naples airport and return if you need it. The villa has a washer but no dryer. It seems that is normal in italy. The clothes dry on the line outside. It has a cd player for music.Hope it helps.Rosetta