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

Up a cobblestoned hillside some 1,500 ft above sea degree, Ravello felt acquainted and new unexpectedly. 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 method from Naples alongside mopeds and packed tour buses that maneuvered by means of tiny slices of winding highway. 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 probably the most enviable views of Salerno Bay. “We have now to put up this, like now,” one whispered to the opposite, who shortly 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 personal 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 wish to encourage company to benefit from the Italian life-style and traditions, from the meals to the decor,” co-owner and managing director Mariella advised Journey + Leisure. The Avino sisters invite company to expertise this satisfaction of place and custom with particulars that embody Moorish accents, handcrafted ceramic flooring tiles, and emerald-toned bogs.

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 have now all the time adored the pink shade, 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 uninterested in 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 joy of waking as much as a hazy, sherbet-colored sky.

Learn out for my full overview of Palazzo Avino, a spot that is simple to get to however so exhausting 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 embody double balcony doorways resulting in tiled terraces with bay views. My favourite afternoons had been spent on this personal outside area, Aperol spritz in hand, whereas the lulling, brackish wind made its method by means of 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 outcome? 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 personal terrace and jacuzzi on the very 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 company and guests slurp pasta pomodoro, and orange-hued glasses crammed with Italy’s ubiquitous spritzes seem on practically each desk. Adjoining to Belvedere sits the Lobster & Martini Bar, which is ready in a first-rate location for an aperitivo hour of crustaceans and virtually 100 totally 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. Dwell music from a mandolist fills the evening air whereas an attentive sommelier and workers serve gentle 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 all over the world. This hyperfocus on selection and freshness is on the core of what Chef Giovanni Vanacore hopes diners bear in mind. Three themed tasting menus have fun regional delicacies, together with a produce-forward vegan choice. A choice of bread is reduce tableside, Amalfi’s prized lemon seems in numerous dishes, and a standout crimson mullet wrapped in ultra-thin strips of eggplant marries the bounty of Campania’s land and sea.

Actions and Experiences

Although it was exhausting 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 journey whisks company 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 personal seaside membership with direct entry to the water, and the lodge has actually invested in that privilege. Final yr, an Italian vogue home outfitted the seaside membership with parasols and Valentino crimson 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 sneakers 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 lodge’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 all over the world. My favourite piece was the cheeky pink and inexperienced portray of a girl sticking her tongue out by one in all 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 necessary for the Avino sisters, who search to help like-minded ladies entrepreneurs.

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

Location

Away from a lot of the 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 tough to search out elsewhere,” Attilia stated. “As a result of it blends historical past, tradition, and tranquility — parts that finest seize the essence of Palazzo Avino — it is the perfect setting for our palace.” Ravello’s primary sq., crammed with souvenirs, gelato outlets, 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 competition.

For a memorable off-property eating expertise, take a five-minute journey to the family-owned Trattoria Da Lorenzo in Scala. Right here, pasta dishes are offered 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 evening. I cherished the laid-back setting right here, made doable by the kindness of brothers Lorenzo and Luca, and the spectacular wine checklist with a few of my favourite Barolos didn’t harm both.

Accessibility and Sustainability

There may be an ADA-compliant room situated on the principle flooring. The swimming pool on the fourth flooring 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 rapid area people, “ added Mariella.

The right way 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 usually in April and Might. American Specific Platinum cardholders obtain perks like an improve on arrival, topic to availability, and a every day breakfast buffet for 2.