This Family-owned Palace Is Set Along Italy’s Amalfi Coast — and It’s Known As ‘the Pink Palace of Ravello’

Up a cobblestoned hillside some 1,500 feet above sea level, Ravello felt familiar and new all at once. Those same suspended views where mountain spills into the sea that I had experienced during my first visit to the Amalfi Coast 18 years ago were just as arresting, but the crowds at this once less populated cliffside town had certainly gotten in on the secret since then.

I made my way from Naples alongside mopeds and packed tour buses that maneuvered through tiny slices of winding road. An hour later, I arrived at Palazzo Avino, a pink-hued palace that even the best Instagram posts can’t truly capture — though visitors certainly try. A small group, alongside a photographer, chose a misted terraced garden below a glowing terracotta facade for their first shot; another duo headed toward the al fresco restaurant with the most enviable views of Salerno Bay. “We have to post this, like now,” one whispered to the other, who quickly agreed.

Luckily, my visit entailed more than just a quick stop at Palazzo Avino’s prized promontory above the Tyrrhenian Sea. In the 12th century, the property was once the private home of an Italian noble family. The Avino family purchased the property and opened it in 1997, and now, sisters Mariella and Attilia Avino remain at the helm of notable renovations.

“Palazzo Avino is a special and grand home, a journey into our history, into the deep heritage of the place. We want to inspire guests to enjoy the Italian lifestyle and traditions, from the food to the decor,” co-owner and managing director Mariella told Travel + Leisure. The Avino sisters invite guests to experience this pride of place and tradition with details that include Moorish accents, handcrafted ceramic floor tiles, and emerald-toned bathrooms.

There’s also an unwavering commitment to pink, from the property’s nickname — “The Pink Palace of Ravello” — to the poolside bubblegum-striped umbrellas and sun loungers. “We have always adored the pink color, a feature of the original building facade. It swiftly established itself as a recognizable emblem of Palazzo Avino, capturing the warmth and beauty of the Amalfi Coast,” Attilia said.

I never got tired of the peachy hues or special touches throughout Palazzo Avino: those arched windows that gave the illusion of no beginning or end between land and sea, a handful of olives and potato chips during aperitivo hour, and the excitement of waking up to a hazy, sherbet-colored sky.

Read out for my full review of Palazzo Avino, a place that’s easy to get to but so hard to leave.

The Rooms

Forty-three rooms, including 10 suites, take their cue from the alluring sea beyond the palace. Accommodations feature handcrafted Vietri tiles, Moorish arched windows, and seafoam green tones, all contrasted with chalky white walls and baroque furniture from the 18th century. Some suites include double balcony doors leading to tiled terraces with bay views. My favorite afternoons were spent in this private outdoor space, Aperol spritz in hand, while the lulling, brackish wind made its way through a coral-colored archway that framed the cobalt inlet below.

In 2020, Cristina Celestino’s design firm took inspiration from the regal Italian gardens and mythological tales of the Tyrrhenian Sea to reimagine seven rooms, including the grand Belvedere Suite. The result? Surfaces with gleaming mother-of-pearl finishes, white terracotta floors splashed with mocha and pink accents, and glitzy aquamarine headboards. This year, Venetian artist Giuliano Dell’uva redesigned a deluxe sea view room to include grand arched windows overlooking the gulf. The designer also renovated the bi-level Infinito Suite, resulting in a private terrace and jacuzzi on the highest point of the property and narrow peaked windows inspired by the cathedral shapes found along the Amalfi Coast.

“Infinito is a space of light, architecture, arches, and heights,” Attilia explained. “Two floors full of feelings, a room to be discovered, between the vaults and the terrace. It’s unique and private, overlooking the coast in a place where sea and sky blend, outlined by the Monti Lattari diving dramatically into the sea,”

Food and Drink

Lunch can be enjoyed at the al fresco Terrazza Belvedere, where guests and visitors slurp pasta pomodoro, and orange-hued glasses filled with Italy’s ubiquitous spritzes appear on nearly every table. Adjacent to Belvedere sits the Lobster & Martini Bar, which is set in a prime location for an aperitivo hour of crustaceans and almost 100 different martinis crafted by an in-house mixologist. 

Michelin-starred Rossellinis proudly claims to be the only starred restaurant in Ravello. This year, Dell’uva renovated the vine-cloaked veranda with new upgrades, including a restyled terrace with a retractable roof and revitalized dark green furnishings. Dining here begins on a terraced lawn that peers over Salerno Bay. Live music from a mandolist fills the night air while an attentive sommelier and staff serve light bites and prepare your palate for dinner just above.

Once seated, you’ll be introduced to a water menu (yes, you read that correctly) with options that list the pH and mineral levels of at least 15 waters from around the world. This hyperfocus on variety and freshness is at the core of what Chef Giovanni Vanacore hopes diners remember. Three themed tasting menus celebrate regional cuisine, including a produce-forward vegan option. A selection of bread is cut tableside, Amalfi’s prized lemon appears in various dishes, and a standout red mullet wrapped in ultra-thin strips of eggplant marries the bounty of Campania’s land and sea.

Activities and Experiences

Though it was hard to peel away from Palazzo Avino’s coveted clifftop location, my favorite day was spent at the property’s Clubhouse by the Sea. A 20-minute shuttle ride whisks guests to the craggy hillside of Marmorata, where pink sun loungers sit just above stairs that lead to the sea. This is Ravello’s only private beach club with direct access to the water, and the hotel has certainly invested in that privilege. Last year, an Italian fashion house outfitted the beach club with parasols and Valentino red towels. There’s also a pool and full-service restaurant — don’t skip the Margherita pizza here.

For a little retail therapy, The Pink Closet is a treasure trove of sparkling shoes from designers like Giannico, vintage Versace print dresses, housewares from Italian artisans, and other souvenirs. Curated by Mariella and designed by Celestino, the boutique extends the hotel’s penchant for pink and one-of-a-kind experiences.

At Caffè Dell’Arte, the white-and-gold themed lobby bar and lounge, a “Palace to Palace” exhibit spotlights emerging female artists around the world. My favorite piece was the cheeky pink and green painting of a woman sticking her tongue out by one of my favorite artists, the British figurative painter Sahara Longe. The partnership with Brescia-based artist residency program Palazzo Monti has been ongoing for each summer season and is particularly important for the Avino sisters, who seek to support like-minded women entrepreneurs.

In 2025, the hotel will launch a cooking school in the garden adjacent to the hotel, called La Cascinetta. This is also the location of the hotel’s small vineyard, where it makes an impressive white wine called Mar-A-Vi-glia. “It will be a deep dive into the culinary traditions of the area, immersed in one of the most beautiful gardens of Ravello,“ said Mariella, who will work with the hotel’s chef to create dishes inspired by her upbringing in Salerno.

Location

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

“Perched high above the Amalfi Coast, Ravello is a destination of timeless beauty with unmatched views and a peacefulness that is difficult to find elsewhere,” Attilia said. “Because it blends history, culture, and tranquility — elements that best capture the essence of Palazzo Avino — it’s the ideal setting for our palace.” Ravello’s main square, filled with souvenirs, gelato shops, and restaurants, is just steps from the Palazzo. Also nearby is Villa Rufolo, a 13th-century villa with a stunning terraced garden that hosts the town’s annual arts festival.

For a memorable off-property dining experience, take a five-minute ride to the family-owned Trattoria Da Lorenzo in Scala. Here, pasta dishes are presented tableside before being fired up, and a trolley of fresh catches of the day can be prepared many ways, including a sea bass baked in a salt crust — my favorite of the night. I loved the laid-back environment here, made possible by the kindness of brothers Lorenzo and Luca, and the impressive wine list with some of my favorite Barolos didn’t hurt either.

Accessibility and Sustainability

There is an ADA-compliant room located on the main floor. The swimming pool on the fourth floor is accessible via elevator, but the main swimming pool and the spa in the garden are only accessible via stairs.

Palazzo Avino has its own water recycling facility that enlists grey water for the fountains and gardens. Low-flow showers in rooms limit water consumption, and there is a no single-use plastic policy in rooms and restaurants.

“We believe that luxury and sustainability go hand in hand, where we as luxury service providers pledge to conduct fair and sustainable business practices that continue to develop our immediate local community, “ added Mariella.

How to Get the Most Value Out Of Your Stay

Palazzo Avino is open seasonally from early April to mid-October. The lowest rates to book a visit are typically in April and May. American Express Platinum cardholders receive perks like an upgrade on arrival, subject to availability, and a daily breakfast buffet for two.