This Household-owned Palace Is Set Alongside Italy’s Amalfi Coast — and It’s Identified As ‘the Pink Palace of Ravello’

Up a cobblestoned hillside some 1,500 toes above sea stage, Ravello felt acquainted and new all of sudden. Those self same suspended views the place mountain spills into the ocean that I had skilled throughout my first go to to the Amalfi Coast 18 years in the past had been simply as arresting, however the crowds at this as soon as much less populated cliffside city had actually gotten in on the key since then.

I made my means from Naples alongside mopeds and packed tour buses that maneuvered via tiny slices of winding street. An hour later, I arrived at Palazzo Avino, a pink-hued palace that even one of the best Instagram posts can’t really seize — although guests actually attempt. A small group, alongside a photographer, selected a misted terraced backyard beneath a glowing terracotta facade for his or her first shot; one other duo headed towards the al fresco restaurant with essentially the most enviable views of Salerno Bay. “We’ve got to publish this, like now,” one whispered to the opposite, who rapidly agreed.

Fortunately, my go to entailed greater than only a fast cease at Palazzo Avino’s prized promontory above the Tyrrhenian Sea. Within the twelfth century, the property was as soon as the non-public house of an Italian noble household. The Avino household bought the property and opened it in 1997, and now, sisters Mariella and Attilia Avino stay on the helm of notable renovations.

“Palazzo Avino is a particular and grand house, a journey into our historical past, into the deep heritage of the place. We need to encourage friends to benefit from the Italian life-style and traditions, from the meals to the decor,” co-owner and managing director Mariella informed Journey + Leisure. The Avino sisters invite friends to expertise this delight of place and custom with particulars that embrace Moorish accents, handcrafted ceramic ground tiles, and emerald-toned loos.

There’s additionally an unwavering dedication to pink, from the property’s nickname — “The Pink Palace of Ravello” — to the poolside bubblegum-striped umbrellas and solar loungers. “We’ve got at all times adored the pink coloration, a characteristic of the unique constructing facade. It swiftly established itself as a recognizable emblem of Palazzo Avino, capturing the heat and fantastic thing about the Amalfi Coast,” Attilia stated.

I by no means obtained bored with the peachy hues or particular touches all through Palazzo Avino: these arched home windows that gave the phantasm of no starting or finish between land and sea, a handful of olives and potato chips throughout aperitivo hour, and the thrill of waking as much as a hazy, sherbet-colored sky.

Learn out for my full overview of Palazzo Avino, a spot that is straightforward to get to however so laborious to go away.

The Rooms

Forty-three rooms, together with 10 suites, take their cue from the alluring sea past the palace. Lodging characteristic handcrafted Vietri tiles, Moorish arched home windows, and seafoam inexperienced tones, all contrasted with chalky white partitions and baroque furnishings from the 18th century. Some suites embrace double balcony doorways resulting in tiled terraces with bay views. My favourite afternoons had been spent on this non-public outside area, Aperol spritz in hand, whereas the lulling, brackish wind made its means via a coral-colored archway that framed the cobalt inlet beneath.

In 2020, Cristina Celestino’s design agency took inspiration from the regal Italian gardens and mythological tales of the Tyrrhenian Sea to reimagine seven rooms, together with the grand Belvedere Suite. The end result? Surfaces with gleaming mother-of-pearl finishes, white terracotta flooring splashed with mocha and pink accents, and glitzy aquamarine headboards. This yr, Venetian artist Giuliano Dell’uva redesigned a deluxe sea view room to incorporate grand arched home windows overlooking the gulf. The designer additionally renovated the bi-level Infinito Suite, leading to a non-public terrace and jacuzzi on the best level of the property and slim peaked home windows impressed by the cathedral shapes discovered alongside the Amalfi Coast.

“Infinito is an area of sunshine, structure, arches, and heights,” Attilia defined. “Two flooring filled with emotions, a room to be found, between the vaults and the terrace. It’s distinctive and personal, overlooking the coast in a spot the place sea and sky mix, outlined by the Monti Lattari diving dramatically into the ocean,”

Meals and Drink

Lunch may be loved on the al fresco Terrazza Belvedere, the place friends and guests slurp pasta pomodoro, and orange-hued glasses full of Italy’s ubiquitous spritzes seem on almost each desk. Adjoining to Belvedere sits the Lobster & Martini Bar, which is ready in a main location for an aperitivo hour of crustaceans and nearly 100 completely different martinis crafted by an in-house mixologist. 

Michelin-starred Rossellinis proudly claims to be the one starred restaurant in Ravello. This yr, Dell’uva renovated the vine-cloaked veranda with new upgrades, together with a restyled terrace with a retractable roof and revitalized darkish inexperienced furnishings. Eating right here begins on a terraced garden that friends over Salerno Bay. Stay music from a mandolist fills the night time air whereas an attentive sommelier and employees serve mild bites and put together your palate for dinner simply above.

As soon as seated, you’ll be launched to a water menu (sure, you learn that appropriately) with choices that checklist the pH and mineral ranges of no less than 15 waters from around the globe. This hyperfocus on selection and freshness is on the core of what Chef Giovanni Vanacore hopes diners keep in mind. Three themed tasting menus have fun regional delicacies, together with a produce-forward vegan choice. A number of bread is minimize tableside, Amalfi’s prized lemon seems in numerous dishes, and a standout pink mullet wrapped in ultra-thin strips of eggplant marries the bounty of Campania’s land and sea.

Actions and Experiences

Although it was laborious to peel away from Palazzo Avino’s coveted clifftop location, my favourite day was spent on the property’s Clubhouse by the Sea. A 20-minute shuttle experience whisks friends to the craggy hillside of Marmorata, the place pink solar loungers sit simply above stairs that result in the ocean. That is Ravello’s solely non-public seashore membership with direct entry to the water, and the resort has actually invested in that privilege. Final yr, an Italian style home outfitted the seashore membership with parasols and Valentino pink towels. There’s additionally a pool and full-service restaurant — don’t skip the Margherita pizza right here.

For somewhat retail remedy, The Pink Closet is a treasure trove of glowing footwear from designers like Giannico, classic Versace print clothes, housewares from Italian artisans, and different souvenirs. Curated by Mariella and designed by Celestino, the boutique extends the resort’s penchant for pink and one-of-a-kind experiences.

At Caffè Dell’Arte, the white-and-gold themed foyer bar and lounge, a “Palace to Palace” exhibit spotlights rising feminine artists around the globe. My favourite piece was the cheeky pink and inexperienced portray of a girl sticking her tongue out by certainly one of my favourite artists, the British figurative painter Sahara Longe. The partnership with Brescia-based artist residency program Palazzo Monti has been ongoing for every summer time season and is especially vital for the Avino sisters, who search to assist like-minded ladies entrepreneurs.

In 2025, the resort will launch a cooking college within the backyard adjoining to the resort, known as La Cascinetta. That is additionally the placement of the resort’s small winery, the place it makes a powerful white wine known as Mar-A-Vi-glia. “Will probably be a deep dive into the culinary traditions of the world, immersed in one of the stunning gardens of Ravello,“ stated Mariella, who will work with the resort’s chef to create dishes impressed by her upbringing in Salerno.

Location

Away from many of the site visitors and tourist-filled streets of the Amalfi Coast, Palazzo Avino’s coveted pocket in Ravello is a part of its draw.

“Perched excessive above the Amalfi Coast, Ravello is a vacation spot of timeless magnificence with unmatched views and a peacefulness that’s troublesome to seek out elsewhere,” Attilia stated. “As a result of it blends historical past, tradition, and tranquility — components that greatest seize the essence of Palazzo Avino — it is the best setting for our palace.” Ravello’s important sq., full of souvenirs, gelato retailers, and eating places, is simply steps from the Palazzo. Additionally close by is Villa Rufolo, a Thirteenth-century villa with a surprising terraced backyard that hosts the city’s annual arts pageant.

For a memorable off-property eating expertise, take a five-minute experience to the family-owned Trattoria Da Lorenzo in Scala. Right here, pasta dishes are introduced tableside earlier than being fired up, and a trolley of recent catches of the day may be ready some ways, together with a sea bass baked in a salt crust — my favourite of the night time. I beloved the laid-back setting right here, made potential by the kindness of brothers Lorenzo and Luca, and the spectacular wine checklist with a few of my favourite Barolos didn’t damage both.

Accessibility and Sustainability

There may be an ADA-compliant room situated on the principle ground. The swimming pool on the fourth ground is accessible through elevator, however the principle swimming pool and the spa within the backyard are solely accessible through stairs.

Palazzo Avino has its personal water recycling facility that enlists gray water for the fountains and gardens. Low-flow showers in rooms restrict water consumption, and there’s a no single-use plastic coverage in rooms and eating places.

“We imagine that luxurious and sustainability go hand in hand, the place we as luxurious service suppliers pledge to conduct honest and sustainable enterprise practices that proceed to develop our instant area people, “ added Mariella.

Tips on how to Get the Most Worth Out Of Your Keep

Palazzo Avino is open seasonally from early April to mid-October. The bottom charges to ebook a go to are sometimes in April and Might. American Specific Platinum cardholders obtain perks like an improve on arrival, topic to availability, and a each day breakfast buffet for 2.