Villa Zodiac

Built in 1930 by Lord Grimthorpe for his second daughter, this villa was once the private paradise of the American writer Gore Vidal, who took inspiration from the stunning views all around his house, to write his works. Carefully renovated in recent years, this property still retains many of its original features including barrel-vaulted ceilings, arched doorways and windows, long tiled hallways open to spacious rooms with fireplaces, balconies and patios.

The entire house is fully air conditioned and can accommodate a large family or a group of friends with rooms ranging from suites, junior suites and deluxe rooms, sleeping up to 12 people. A few minutes' walk along a scenic route from Ravello’s central Piazza Duomo (the villa can only be reached by foot) brings you to the main entrance, through a private garden with swimming pool. There are 30 steps down from the path to the villa’s main entrance. The main building is spread over an area of 850 square metres, including terraces and balconies, and is surrounded by 10,000 m2 parkland encompassing lemon trees, olive groves, cypresses, palms and pergolas.

ACCOMMODATION
(850m2, with internal and external stairs to all floors)
Ground floor:
Entrance hall.
Gore Vidal’s former studio (now only used as a museum and visitable by the villa’s guests by prior arrangement). Main living room/ dining room, bar area, large sofas, fireplace, French doors to two terraces with stunning panoramic views.
Fully equipped kitchen with modern professional appliances (for staff use or staff-assisted use).
Guest W.C.

Lower ground floor:
Inspiration Suite (80m2): Double bedroom (1.90m bed), TV, living area, fireplace, slightly raised en suite shower room, WC, French doors to private balcony with ocean view.
Serenity Suite (80m2): Double bedroom (1.90m bed), TV, en suite shower room, veranda with built-in Jacuzzi tub, WC, French doors to private balcony with ocean view.

First Floor:
100m2 terrace with panoramic sea views.
Desire Junior Suite (44m2): Double bedroom (1.90m bed), TV, en suite shower room, WC, French doors to large terrace with ocean view.
Curiosity Deluxe Bedroom (27m2): external access from the panoramic terrace, Double bedroom (1.90m bed), TV, en suite shower room, W.C.
Extasy Deluxe Bedroom (44m2): 11 steps up, Double bedroom (1.90m bed), TV, large arched windows with view, few steps to ensuite bathroom with shower room and glorious sea view, W.C.

ANNEX (on the lowest floor, room accessed via external flight of stairs):
Audacity Junior Suite (80m2): 33 steps down from ground floor, Double bedroom (1.90m bed), TV, slightly raised en suite shower room, WC, arched windows with panoramic views.

Grounds:
10,000m2 private terraced grounds, with comfortably furnished terraces. Private parkland and garden. Private 15m x 5.5m pool (depth 2.7m) set on a marble paved terrace, outdoor shower, sun beds, deck chairs, parasols. 30 steps up to the path to the villa main entrance.

DISTANCES
Ravello town centre: 10 mins' walk.
Amalfi 8 km.
Minori 9 km.
Maiori 11 km.
Positano 25 km.
Naples 40 km.
Naples airport: 40 km.
Sorrento railway station 38 km.
Amalfi – ferries to~ Sorrento 1 hr~ Capri 1 hr~ Naples 1 hr and 20 mins.
Nearest restaurants within 500 metres.
Beach in Castiglione di Ravello 6 km.
Atrani 7 km.
Golf Club Salerno 52 km.
Tennis (Positano) 25 km.
Acquafarm water park (Battipaglia) 56 km.
Pompei archaeological site 32 km.
Mount Vesuvio 55 km.
Ercolano 48 km.