Within moments of arriving at Palazzo Avino, you’ll understand why locals have dubbed it Italy’s answer to the Pink Palace, in homage to the Beverly Hills Hotel. Featuring rose-coloured walls, this 12th century villa was millennial pink before it was even a thing. Flamingo-hued exteriors aside, its art-deco-esque tiled floors (including a stunning star motif in the lounge), walnut furnishings, impressive collection of modern artwork and stunning clifftop views of the Amalfi Coast easily make it one of the most Instagrammable hotels in what is already one of the most picturesque parts of the world – a place that inspired Virginia Woolf, DH Lawrence and Salvor Dali at one time. Indeed, the view from the street through the reception makes the most of this scenic backdrop, showcasing the jaw-dropping panorama as soon as you arrive. Boasting an impeccable origin story – the current owners are related to the original family that built the villa – it oozes Italian hospitality at every turn, from the spa to the Michelin-starred restaurant Rossellinis.
The Room
The majority of the hotel’s 43 rooms feature that incredible sea view, which doesn’t get old no matter how many times you see it. The lavishly decorated boudoir has all the required mod-cons – from an iPod dock to a flat-screen TV – but keeps the character of the hotel with its antique furnishings. The bathroom is marble with fluffy bath towels, robes and slippers, a bath tub with jets and a shower, while the toiletries in here and in the spa use local ingredients, like Sorrento lemons and Vesuvio apricots.
What We Ate
No stay at the hotel (or indeed, perhaps Ravello) would be complete without dining at its Michellin-starred restaurant Rossellinis. The jewel in its crown, this is where its Italian hospitality really comes to the fore, with a delicious menu of local dishes executed in style. Before the starters, chef sent a platter of amuse bouches to whet our appetites, with several mouthfuls including a Bloody Mary encased in chocolate and a doughnut of chicken liver pate. We followed this with the risotto, one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, and the seabass, which was both meaty and melt-in-the-mouth at the same time, while others in the group enjoyed succulent roast pork, another Italian family favourite. Because you can’t dine at Michellin-star restaurants every night (oh, that we wish we could), we would also recommend checking out the Terrazza Belvedere, for a more casual dining experience that makes the most of that killer view. Order the burrata, which comes as fresh as it gets and the size of your fist, followed by the tortellini stuffed with mozzarella and drowning in rich tomato sauce. Nb: No one comes to Italy to lose weight.
What We Did
After enjoying its outdoor pool, rooftop jacuzzi and spa, most people use the hotel as a base for exploring the local area, the famed Amalfi Coast. You can hire a boat from the private beach club - the only one in Ravello - and charter a sailing trip down to Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento or Capri, basically wherever takes your fancy. We took ours for a spin around the coast, seeing the pastel-hued buildings of Positano from the sea, before stopping off for a few hours in bustling Capri. Take a top-down convertible taxi to the centre and soak in the madness for a few hours, sampling Neopolitan gelato and admiring the views. On the way back to the hotel we stopped off for lunch at Lo Scoglio da Tommaso in Massa Lubrense, an area beloved by locals and known for its incredible foodie offering. Don't forget to see Ravello, too, by hiring a local guide and doing a half-day walking tour. The beautiful architecture and lush gardens of its two star attractions - the Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone - make for ample Insta-fodder. The former, built in the 13th century by a local dynasty, hosts world-famous concerts during the town's yearly music festival, while the latter has been used as a backdrop for everything from wedding vows to a scene in Wonder Woman.
How To Book It
A double rooms starts at at Palazzo Avino starts from €280 per night. You can book a room at palazzoavino.com.