Villa Carmen

Villa Carmen is a rare find on the Island of Capri. For your very special gatherings, Villa Carmen is sure to fulfill your every need. Villa Carmen is full of history and has hosted many famous poet, painters, artists, diplomates and movie stars. If only the walls could talk! Villa Carmen is the only private property on the island of Capri to boast it's own private access to the sea where it is possible to swim at the private beach and dock a boat. The full time staff included with the villa will be there to take care of your every need. Maid service will be assured all day. A cook will prepare either lunch or dinner every day and of course a continental breakfast will be served daily. A concierge service will be at your disposal and a porter will help you on your day of arrival and departure.
This amazing 1000 meter villa was built during the second half of the 18th Century on the remains of an Anglo-English fort, was initially inhabited by an infamous Hungarian painter, who built the property on top of the ruins of a Roman Palace. Subsequently, the property was bought by a famous French painter who hosted many renowned musicians and composers in his home. According to legend, the composer Bizet, while vacationing here, remained so inspired by the sounds of the sea that he composed one of his most famous pieces of work, the Opera Carmen. The property then passed to a famous foreign Countess, Mona Strader Bismarck, in the mid 20th Century.
For a truly unique and unforgettable experience, Villa Carmen is sure to please!

The entrance to Villa Carmen leads, on one side, directly into the immaculate, private garden. To the left lies the main entrance escorting you into a majestic hall. To the right lies the wide, English garden with paved alleyways groomed with natural stone and stone sculptures. The garden's scenery changes according to the season and the area abounds with pine, oak, Magnolia, palm trees, Camelia, and flower beds. There is a lemon grove and large terracotta pots are planted with flowers. The garden also boasts great external lighting and an audio system. A second level of of the garden holds a lovely vegetable garden offering villa guests the best of the season's fresh vegetables, ripened naturally under the Mediterranean Sun; tomatoes, eggplants, courgettes, fresh herbs, basil, and hot peppers to name just a few.

A lovely area in the garden is the large, marble paved terrace facing the sea and offering the best views out onto the bay of Naples. The terrace is furnished with cast iron tables, lounge chairs, and benches where guests can enjoy the silent sounds of the sea below and listen with pleasure to the boats silently passing by the waterfront from the Grotta Azzurra. Here one can truly admire the wonders of nature while enjoying its peace and quiet. A large round table with chairs and a second, rectangular table with chars, as well as several smaller tables with chairs and benches make up super comfortable garden seating areas and more than enough space for outdoor dining for the largest of groups. An easy, panoramic, and comfortable pedestrian path of about 150 steps leads from the garden down to the sea, passing through a pleasant, shaded wooded area filled with olive trees and Mediterranean herbs. The path leads to a private sundeck, platform, and boat dock. The area is furnished with lounge chairs, umbrellas, & beach towels and cold drinks and snacks can be stocked in the refrigerator and kitchenette located at sea level. Staff can serve lunch here as well.


Villa Carmen consists of two connecting buildings, extending over two floors. The first area, blends naturally into the Saloni al Mare or Lounges on the Sea, consisting of large, common areas where all the villa's guests can unite. Wide lounges with marble floors, vaulted ceilings, antique crystal lamps, important pieces of antique furniture, and renowned works of art reflect the owner's sophisticated taste as a true art lover and expert.

The elegant entrance door welcomes guests into the main hall. A warm welcome is given by the elegant and majestic hall lined with a black and white marble floor and lined with decorative mosaics. Antique mirrors with crystal wall lamps create a lovely contrast between modern and antique, as seen throughout the entire property. Upon walking through the hall, one enters into the living area furnished with marble tables. Sofas and various pockets for reading and relaxation, all arranged around the large fireplace, allows you to enjoy important pieces of history and art such as the one-of-a-kind mosaics hanging on the walls depicting the era of Roman Pompei. A corridor with a glass door opening onto the left side, towards a terrace area behind the villa, takes you to the lemon trees. From here you can enjoy a view out onto the hillside. The left side of the corridor leads to the bedroom and kitchen areas.

One of the most pleasant areas of the villa is the large, circular shaped, elegant library. Here, you truly feel like you are immersed in a special atmosphere which characterizes the villa's history. The warm colors of the entire area are a contrast with the black marble floor. The library boasts a relaxation area comfortably furnished with sofas, benches with cushions, couches, and as marble topped table. A great selection of books are at guest's disposal and the oriental carpet collects the colours which characterize the library. The ambient is furnished with built-in marble columns, antique mirrors, and a large marble fireplace that completes its aristocratic style and creates a space dedicated to reading. The room also boasts several balcony areas which opens out to the back of the villa.

Five steps down from the main level is a corridor which leads to five of the nine double bedrooms. These five, double bedrooms all enjoy important antiques and accent pieces, such as large, Chinese porcelain vases, fragments of antique Roman statues, and mosaic decor set into the marble floor and antique mirrors. Some of the bedrooms boast wrought-iron, baldachin beds and important paintings of modern art and all enjoy the comfort of en-suite, hand tiled bathrooms with, towel dryers, hairdryers, and either a shower box or bathtub.

First bedroom:
Located four steps up from the main corridor, the first bedroom is a double with baldachin bed and terracotta tile floor. The room is furnished with two wood benches, a wardrobe, and a writing desk with chair; en-suite bathroom with white tiles and shower box.

Second bedroom:
French bed with hand painted wall décor by a well known Italian Artist, tiled floor , and built-in wardrobe; en-suite bathroom with white tiles and bathtub.

Third bedroom:
Baldachin wrought-iron double bed, terracotta tile floors, and a wardrobe. Access from the bedroom through a set of French doors out to a small courtyard. En-suite bathroom with an open shower.

Fourth bedroom:
Iron double bed, tile floors and wardrobe. Access from the bedroom through French doors out to a small courtyard. En-suite bathroom with shower box.

Fifth bedroom:
Baldachin wrought-iron double bed and wardrobe. Access from the bedroom through a French door out to a small courtyard. Small en-suite bathroom with shower.

The end of the corridor brings you, to the left, to a natural, stone wall, once part of an authentic Anglo-French fort. On the left side lays a sliding glass door leading out to a courtyard with potted greenery and six white columns. Three steps up lies the service area with the laundry. The end of the corridor, to the right, leads to the main dining room. To enter the dining room means to enter one of the most elegant common areas in the entire villa. The bright, naturally lighted dining room encompasses the villa's indoor dining area. As soon as you enter, your sight is captured by a Lapis Lazuli octagonal table, seating 8. Marble columns, beautiful paintings, crystal lamps, one working fireplace, and a large glass door with an enchanting sea view fill this elegant space. Two French doors open onto a terrace facing directly above the sea, while a door leads to the living room which does not lack style and atmosphere. The living room boasts vaulted ceilings with stucco decor, black and white marble floors, beautiful candelabra and a crystal lamp. Sofas and armchairs make for comfortable seating in front of the fireplace, while two large windows with great sea views and two French doors open out onto the terrace. Beautiful fresco paintings and a large, grand piano complete the decor of this prestigious living area.

To the right hand lies a traditional, industrial kitchen, laid out over two areas. The first area enjoys a sink, a six range stove top, large oven, microwave oven, work table, refrigerator and freezer, and an electrical coffee machine. The second area enjoys a double-sink and a dishwasher. The garden lays right out side the kitchen.

Second Floor:
The second floor and its four luxurious suites can be reached from either the hall, the main corridor, or from the garden. 15 steps lead from the hall along a marble staircase up to the first two suites.

The master Suite:
This large, contemporary suite boasts two wide, panoramic windows overlooking the garden, offering its guests an amazing sea view. A Baldachin double bed, chaise lounge, writing desk with chair, and working fireplace add to the vaulted ceiling, antique furniture, and crystal lamp which complete the elegance of the master suite. The suite boasts a large, en-suite bathroom with walls in mother of pearl, marble floors, and a bathtub adorned by red marble.

Second Suite:
It can be reached by 19 steps from the garden. Baldachin double bed. Two French doors facing the garden offer unique sea views and the suite boasts dark red, marble floors, vaulted ceilings, crystal lamps, and a writing desk. There is a private, external bathroom with access from the wardrobe area of the suite. The bath enjoys white handmade tile floors and a large shower.

Third Suite:

Accessible up 19 steps from the courtyard, the third suite enjoys a small living area with terracotta tile floors, 2 sofas, and several couches. There is a window facing the courtyard and vaulted ceilings abound, while a crystal lamp, ample closet and en-suite bathroom with white tile floors and shower box finish the decor.

Fourth Suite:
Accessible up 25 steps from the ground floor lies the fourth suite featuring a small living area with sofa and several writings desk. There is a bedroom with a Baldachin double bed, an authentic, antique stove with ceramic tiles, imported from Germany. A window in the suite faces the lovely lemon grove behind of the house. There is a built-in wardrobe and a black and white marble bathroom four steps up and boasting a bathtub and a large mirror.




Linens will be changed twice a week and bathroom linens will be changed daily.

Rooms

Rooms

Bedrooms

King size bed: 180 cm, Queen size bed: 160 cm, Double bed: 140 cm, Twin bed: 80-100 cm

Bathrooms

Prices

Price for Villa Carmen

Details

Map

Photos