The Amalfi Coast's Worst Private Island Has a Secret!

Today's critique focuses on Isola Iska, a private island near the Amalfi Coast, Italy, which will be given an Arvin score at the end. This is meant to help future island buyers avoid common mistakes. The island is accessed from Nano beach, a village about 1.5 hours from Naples, 30 minutes from Sorrento, and just over 30 minutes from Positano. This is considered quite far, especially after a long trip from the airport, suggesting a helipad might be necessary. Geographically, the island is located off the Amalfi Coast, near Positano and Sorrento. A private boat, included with the property, takes seven minutes to reach Iska. Upon approach, spectacular sea caves are visible, 28 meters long and 18 meters wide, accessible only to expert divers as their entrance is 15 meters below the surface. The private dock is made of marine-grade stainless steel, engineered to withstand the sea's power and erosion. An outdoor shower is conveniently located nearby for rinsing off after a swim. However, the lack of sand or pebble beaches means the clear water typically associated with the Amalfi Coast is not immediately present. The island's restoration was meticulous, carefully avoiding alteration of its natural balance. Newly introduced plants were not irrigated, allowing natural selection to ensure only the strongest survived. Energy is supplied by a 75 kW photovoltaic system, supported by a 165 kW lithium battery pack. Stainless steel diesel tanks holding up to 16,000 liters provide backup power for up to 45 days of continuous use, described as resembling "missile silos." In the early 1800s, the island was used for quail hunting, not as a sport, but for trade of its eggs and meat. Ancient Romans loved Isola for its vegetation and unique microclimate, though it currently appears to be 99% rock, compared to Alcatraz in the US. The existing buildings were originally large cisterns, later enlarged and converted into private homes, which explains their perceived "ugly" appearance. Following a path, a large outdoor terrace is reached, featuring a pergola, a stainless steel professional kitchen, and a wood-burning pizza oven. This space supposedly overlooks the sea, Positano, and Legali Island. However, a closer look reveals that Positano is not directly visible without significant effort due to its location within an enclave. The view is primarily of the ocean and coastline, not the iconic Amalfi Coast homes on the hills, which would typically score higher. The swimming pool blends with the sea, using local natural materials like stones, and features hand-painted tiles on its infinity edge. It's filled with sand-filtered seawater and is described as being the size of a jacuzzi. Despite its small size, its presence is appreciated given the lack of easy access to natural swimming areas with standing room. Adjacent to the pool is a spacious deck with sunbeds featuring the island's logo. A nearby building houses a professional outdoor kitchen, staff areas, storage, and a large laundry area. An outdoor lounge area near the main villa is ideal for enjoying drinks at sunset, offering a view of Legali Island. Another sheltered area under a canopy provides a long wooden table for outdoor dinners, again claimed to overlook Positano in the distance, though this is disputed. The island's main square reveals the two principal buildings: the dependance (guest house/staff quarters) and the main villa. A hydraulic crane, over 16 meters long and capable of lifting more than a ton, is centrally located under large wooden panels, useful for moving furniture, supplies, luggage, or emergency materials. The guest house, in front of the villa, includes a spacious suite with an en-suite bathroom on the ground level, a professional chef's kitchen on the minus one level, and a large refrigerated food storage on the minus two level. This building seems primarily designed for staff, keeping them separate from the main house. The main villa's entrance leads directly into the kitchen, which is described as "disgusting" due to its stainless steel, chef's kitchen aesthetic, despite a dedicated chef's kitchen already existing. Stairs from the kitchen lead to the lower level with two bedrooms: one for staff with an en-suite bathroom, and another spacious suite with hand-painted tiles, sea views, and an en-suite bathroom. The layout, with the kitchen as the first point of entry and a stairway within it, is deemed problematic, suggesting its origin as a converted water tank reservoir. The main living room is praised as the best room, flooded with natural light from large rounded windows, offering panoramic views of the cliffside and ocean. Its floors are made of large wood, reminiscent of a yacht's deck. This is highlighted as the primary communal space on the island. A powder room serves this floor, and two of the six total suites are located here, along with two staff rooms. The first suite features hand-painted "Mayolik" tiles from Vietri, dating back to the early 1900s, which are considered authentic but perhaps overused when placed next to each other. The suite has tall white ceilings, outstanding water views, an en-suite bathroom, and a private terrace. The second suite is a corner room with two large windows, offering abundant natural light and privacy, along with antiques and an office corner, though a lack of closet space is noted. Each room features different unique Mayolik patterns, but their widespread use is criticized for potentially diminishing their uniqueness. The lower level of the villa contains three private suites, important for families to stay together. The first features rounded vaults, exposed stones, lime, and another type of Mayolik tile, with an en-suite bathroom and office area. A TV room with a couch and wardrobe overlooks the sea, leading to a cozy bedroom under an arch, with another wardrobe and a window overlooking Legali. The next bedroom also has corner views and natural light, but like the others, is described as small, lacking space for luggage, and forcing guests into shared living areas. The primary suite is the largest, with hand-painted tiles, windows on two sides for natural light, and white-painted wooden beams. It includes a bespoke wardrobe and an en-suite bathroom with a large window overlooking the water in the shower. The interior design is deemed a "disaster," an "epic failure" at blending traditional art pieces and mosaics with a modern, three-star hotel aesthetic. The architectural style, given its origin as a converted water reservoir in Italy, a country known for incredible architecture, is given a very poor rating. The Arvin score for Isola Iska is then presented: * **Location:** 6 out of 10. While the Amalfi Coast is prestigious, the island's isolation detracts from the experience of visiting the mainland villages, which is a key aspect of the region. It's seen as a hassle without direct, close-up views of the beautiful Amalfi Coast. * **Lot Quality:** 6 out of 10. Despite acres of land, it's mostly sloped, with tiny flat areas requiring many stairs or a crane to access, thus reducing its value. * **Lot Utilization:** 3 out of 10. The structure is built directly on a cliff, lacking setback and a grand arrival experience. The current location is better suited for a water reservoir than a house, and it doesn't offer the essential direct view of the Amalfi Coast homes. * **Privacy:** 10 out of 10. Compared to Alcatraz, it offers extreme privacy and isolation. * **Lot Orientation:** 10 out of 10. Excellent natural light from all directions, no overhead air traffic, beautiful and isolated. * **Architectural Style:** 1 out of 10. Highly disappointing for Italy, being a converted water reservoir. * **Views:** 6