Hush Hush Haven On The Amalfi Coast: Palazzo Avino

4 weeks ago

Carole Annett checks in

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Perched on a promontory overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, Palazzo Avino was originally a 12th-century nobleman’s house before being reincarnated in 1997 as an elegant five-star hotel dedicated to giving guests a taste of la dolce vita. A design destination, it’s quieter than other Amalfi favourites and, while tourists may gather in the cobblestone alleyways, Palazzo Avino is like a beautiful fortress, offering the good life with stepped terraces dripping down the rockface, manicured gardens and high class hospitality. Affectionately known as the pink palace of Ravello, from the strawberry-hue, candy-striped parasols and crisp rosé wine to the blush of the horizon as sky and water become one, life here is rosy.

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Hotel Review: Palazzo Avino, Ravello

La Cascinetta

STAY

Palazzo Avino is a family affair. First opened by Guiseppe Avino in 1997, the hotel is now run by daughters Mariella and Attilia who are constantly updating the 33 rooms and 10 suites with audacious flair, using Italian design talent such as Cristina Celestino (who has worked with the likes of Fendi and Sergio Rossi); she designed the Belvedere Suite with private swimming pool and sea-facing terrace, as well as the hotel’s powder-hue boutique, The Pink Closet.

The Infinito Suite, covering the top two floors of Palazzo Avino, is by architect Giuliano Dell’Uva. Staying here, you are king or queen of the castle, enjoying a terrace with 360-degree views as well as a pure white bedroom, emerald-tiled bathroom and interesting artworks combined with unique pieces of mid-century furniture. All the rooms are beautifully appointed with decorative floor tiles, vaulted ceilings, sculptures and artworks adding to an air of Italianate grandeur.

Belvedere Suite

EAT

Breakfast is served under a vine-covered veranda which at night turns into Palazzo Avino’s main restaurant, Rossellini’s. Lunch can be served poolside or on a separate terrace overlooking the sea – typical Italian favourites including pizza, fresh fish, pasta and salads.

In the evening, Rossellini’s looks like a fairytale setting with candles and swankily dressed staff profferring Michelin-starred service. Expect full-on theatre with drinks on the terrace accompanied by morsels of loveliness served in a series of ceramic pots and dishes, before sitting down at your table for course after course of carefully considered cuisine – lobster served three ways, beef tartare with soft marinated yolk, chicory and balsamic glaze, fresh tagliolini, sole with olive foam…. The dishes keep on coming, culminating in a dessert trolley which is a joy to behold.

The wine selection includes wines from the family’s vineyard La Cascinetta; the sommelier will guide you expertly and, afterwards, there’s the Martini Bar.

Rossellini’s

DO

Gaze into each other’s eyes – this place is achingly romantic. Wander around the pretty streets and pop your nose into the local church. Ravello offers a few shops, including The Pink Closet, selling glamorous Italian accessories such as embellished slippers, headbands and handbags, perfect for your Instagram moment on the terrace.

Take the shuttle to the hotel’s private beach club, decked out with the same pink and white striped livery, in the quaint village of Marmorata. You don’t have to leave your sunbed to enjoy wood-fired pizza and fresh salads. Back at the hotel, the high-tech outdoor gym on a lower lawn may beckon – it’s one of the most beautiful work-out spaces I have ever seen and almost tempted me off my sunbed. Or head for the spa with hydro pool, Turkish steam bath and treatment rooms using products made specially for the hotel.

The Pink Closet

THE FINAL WORD

Ravello has long been a magnet for creative types including DH Lawrence, who wrote Lady Chatterley’s Lover here, and composer Richard Wagner. For those interested in the latter, there is an annual summer festival of music and arts known as The Wagner festival (ravellofestival.info) – just one of many reasons to pay Palazzo Avino a visit.