Dreamy Retreat in Ravello: Hotel Palazzo Avino Review

The Amalfi Coast Italy is one of the most glamorous places we’ve visited as a couple. During our kid-free romantic getaway, we stayed at some of the best luxury hotels on the Amalfi Coast. We enjoyed an incredible stay at the 12th -century Palazzo Avino, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) and among the finest Ravello accommodation. We used an award certificate from our LHW Membership (before they switched to point redemptions) to stay for free at this high-end luxury hotel in Ravello.

Palazzo Avino is one of the best hotels on the Amalfi Coast. Travel & Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler magazines recognized Palazzo Avino as one of the best hotels in the world. This ultra-luxe Ravello hotel offers unparalleled views of the coast, lavish gardens, rooftop terrace with a whirlpool, luxe clubhouse by the sea, and Michelin-star dining. If you’re looking for one of the top luxury hotels in Ravello, our Hotel Palazzo Avino review should help you decide where to stay in Ravello during your Amalfi Coast holidays. Its dreamy vistas are straight out of a fairy tale, and we almost had to pinch ourselves. Discerning luxury travelers will want to include a visit to Palazzo Avino on their Amalfi Coast vacation.

Hotel Palazzo Avino Review

**Our WTA score represents our own views based on our personal experience with the entity being reviewed.

How We Booked our Stay at Palazzo Avino in Ravello

Palazzo Avino is one of the high-end luxury hotels in Ravello. Merely steps away from Villa Rufolo, shops and restaurants in the heart of Ravello with incredible views of the dreamy Amalfi Coast. It’s certainly one of the best places to stay in Ravello but it does not come cheap. The rates for our room came to close to $2,000/night during our stay and can go much higher during high season. We redeemed our Leading Hotels of The World (LHW) certificate for exceptional value. We saved over $1,900 on one night.

Palazzo Avino Ravello Location

The Palazzo Avino hotel is located in Ravello Italy, one of the most picturesque Amalfi Coast towns. It sits at 28 San Giovanni del Toro, a street lined with historic palaces of noble Italian families. Ravello is a medieval village and UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 5th century. This popular Amalfi Coast town is perched high above the coast at an elevation of 1,198 feet, offering breathtaking views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and coastline.

The charming hilltop village is less crowded than most towns on the Amalfi Coast, making it peaceful and romantic. It is popular for the Ravello Festival, one of the best things to do in Ravello. During summer months outdoor concerts are held in exquisite gardens with views of the Mediterranean Sea. Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufulo, home to the most famous gardens in Ravello, are a short walk from the hotel down cobblestone streets lined with flowering trees. Palazzo Avino’s superb location makes it the ultimate Amalfi Coast retreat for relaxation and wellbeing.

Palazzo Avino History

Ravello’s Palazzo Avino is rich in history. The palace was originally built in the 12th century in the aristocratic quarter as home to a wealthy noble family.  It has changed hands from several different families over the centuries, hosting kings, queens, poets, writers, and celebrities. When Ravello began attracting many prominent writers and actors in the 19th century, the owners converted the home into a hotel to capitalize on the tourism industry.

The palace has been called Hotel Palumbo, Palazzo Sasso, and now Palazzo Avino since 2013. It is fondly known as the Pink Palace and is now operated by the Avino family. It has been elegantly refurbished but maintains its medieval and baroque features as well as the original entrance hall. As the Avino family says, its history is like an Italian love story- full of passion, beauty, and a dream.

Palazzo Avino‘s Grand Entrance

It certainly feels like being in a dream at the Palazzo Avino. The entrance of the Pink Palace makes a lasting first impression.  The eye is immediately drawn to the panoramic terrace and gardens offering sublime views of the coast. The view almost took our breath away. We spent the majority of our time at the hotel in the gardens, which have lounge chairs and tables overlooking the magnificent coastline.

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Check in and Service at Palazzo Avino

After being sidetracked by the sublime terrace view, we made our way back into the hotel lobby to check in. Honestly, we didn’t have the greatest first impression for service at the hotel due to a few minor let downs at check-in.

We were hoping to receive a welcome drink at reception, which tends to be the norm at Leading Hotels of the World. We had just come from Le Sirenuse- our favorite Amalfi Coast hotel, where guests are offered an icy glass of lemonade and cold hand towels upon arrival. Similarly, at Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, we were greeted by name and offered mimosas at check in. Small gestures like that make a big difference in making guests feel welcome and pampered, which were missing here.

However, a bottle of sparkling wine and strawberries were waiting in our room for us. We asked to exchange it for a chilled bottle and glasses, which were delivered shortly after arriving to our room. That certainly parched our thirst as a welcome drink and made a better impression.

We also normally receive a special amenity which varies per hotel based on our top-level LHW membership, but did not receive any additional benefits at Palazzo Avino. Some of the LHW amenities we’ve received at other Leading Hotels included afternoon tea at Hotel Santa Caterina, couples massage at The Chedi Muscat, spa/food/beverage credits, and dinner for two at Mezzatorre. So we were disappointed not to receive any additional benefits at this hotel, which is at the discretion of each property.

In our limited time at the hotel, service didn’t feel as warm and personable compared to the other luxury hotels we’d stayed at during our Amalfi Coast vacation. We did not experience any problems, but didn’t really connect with any staff members like we normally do. To be fair, we had just come from Le Sirenuse, where we had stayed before and were welcomed back like part of the family. So Palazzo Avino had a hard act to follow and couldn’t quite compare.

We have read many Palazzo Avino reviews and most guests rave about the first-class service. We did receive a brief tour of the hotel while being escorted to our room and a welcome note, which we appreciated. A longer stay would have given us more opportunities to interact with staff, so hopefully we have the chance to return someday.

Palazzo Avino Rooms

The hotel has 33 Double rooms with a sea view and/or mountain view. There are 10 Junior and Deluxe suites with sea views and some offer a terrace. All rooms are decorated with hand-made Vietri tiles, antique carpets, and furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Palazzo Avino rooms are small, ranging from 185 sq ft to 370 sq ft. Suites offer more space, ranging from 484 sq ft for the Junior Suite to 1076 sq ft for the Infinito Suite. This luxe bi-level suite on the top floor features a private terrace with a hydropool. The Infinito suite is popular for honeymooners and we imagine there are many weddings in Ravello.

Our King Mountain View room was decorated with antique furniture and a contemporary colorful headboard. It felt small at just 185 sq ft, although we spent very little time in our room so didn’t mind much. Since we didn’t have a sea view from our room, we preferred to spend our time in the gardens and terrace. Our room had an entry way area with 2 small tables, King size bed, desk and chair, satellite TV, Minibar, and closet. There was also a phone, internet access, and iPod docking station.

The bathroom had a bathtub with a shower head, toilet, bidet, and single sink. The glass door for the shower didn’t enclose the space, so we had to be careful not to get water all over the floor while showering. There wasn’t much space to store toiletries other than a small shelf above the sink. Bathroom amenities included bathrobes, slippers, hair dryer, and luxurious bath products.

Palazzo Avino Restaurants

The hotel attracts foodie guests with its Michelin Star restaurant Rosselinis. The restaurant serves dinner al fresco on the terrace to maximize the views.

Guests can opt to splurge on the Chef’s Table, an exclusive culinary experience for just 4 diners per evening featuring a special menu of 5-7 courses paired with regional wine. Wine lovers can splurge on the Sommelier’s Table, a private candlelit dining experience for 2 in the wine cave.

We only stayed one night and were meeting friends for dinner elsewhere, so did not have the opportunity to dine at Rosselini’s. However, we’ve heard rave reviews of the food. As a one-star Michelin restaurant, the prices are steep as to be expected.

Breakfast is served on Rosselini’s terrace for hotel guests. Breakfast consists of a buffet and option to order off the menu as well. The buffet offered a selection of fresh local cheeses and meats, pastries, cakes, sausage, bacon, grilled vegetables, breakfast potatoes, yogurt, cereal, fruit, and juices. We ordered Eggs Benedict, which was delicious, and tried some pastries from the buffet. Breakfast also included mimosas, so of course we indulged in one. A view like that calls for celebration!

Terrazza Belvedere offers causal dining on the panoramic terrace. This popular Palazzo Avino restaurant serves light bites and fresh pasta dishes. This casual eatery boasts the same magnificent views that left us speechless when entering the hotel.

The Lobster and Martini Bar, part of Terrazza Belvedere, opens daily at 6pm. Guests can choose from 100 different kinds of martinis while drinking in the spectacular view. We doubt there’s a Ravello bar offering a better view for sunset.

Another option for sundowners is Caffé dell’Arte, which is located indoors next to the lobby. In this inviting bar and cafe, guests can order speciality cocktails and snacks while listening to live piano and gazing at colorful artwork. The sea and mountain views from this lounge are enthralling from its cozy nooks with plush couches.

Palazzo Avino Spa, Gym, & Pools

The Palazzo Avino Spa is located next to the pool in the gardens, overlooking the sea. The full-service spa features a hydro pool, sauna, turkish steam bath, and treatment rooms. Spa products are made from 3 local fruits known for their beneficial properties. I stopped by for a soak in the hydro pool and felt soothed by the tranquil decor and Mediterranean views.

The 20-meter outdoor heated pool also overlooks the Mediterranean Sea from the gardens. I cannot imagine a more serene place to spend a day in the sun. Except perhaps the beach club, which we’ll cover next.

The gym is outdoors under white gazebos in the gardens. Guests can enjoy the same spectacular view of the Mediterranean  while exercising on the technogym equipment. The view would be enough to entice most people to work out.

The view from Palazzo Avino’s solarium is even better. We made our way to the rooftop deck with a whirlpool first thing in the morning and had it all to ourselves. This gorgeous spot is a great place to catch sunset.

Clubhouse by the Sea

Palazzo Avino has an additional pool at its beach club, called Clubhouse by the Sea. The clubhouse is a 15-minute drive from the resort and is open May to October. Complimentary shuttles take guests beginning at 9:30am, but you need to reserve a spot on the shuttle in advance.

The clubhouse has a swimming pool, restrooms, casual restaurant, indoor lounging areas, and sun deck with loungers by the sea. You can climb down stairs and take a refreshing swim in the Mediterranean, but there is not an actual beach. If our children had been with us on this trip, we would have sorely missed the sand and shallow water for kids to splash in. The beach club is more appropriate for older children and adults and was quiet and calm while we were there.

We had lunch at the Clubhouse restaurant and ate in our loungers by the sea. There are also tables with stunning views for lunch. We ordered grilled fish and seafood pasta, which were fresh and light. We heard from other guests that the pizza is delicious.

Guests can rent paddle boards and kayaks for a fee. I think we were charged 30 Euros/hour. We found it surprising that the amenities were not complimentary for guests when considering that the hotel rates are over $1,000/night. We heard other guests complaining as well that they had to pay to take a paddle board out for an hour when they were spending so much to stay there. For comparison, the 5-star Positano hotel Le Sirenuse offers complimentary day trips and sunset cruises on their boat with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. We think Palazzo Avino should include their clubhouse sea amenities for guests.

Last thoughts on our Palazzo Avino Review

In conclusion, we adored the enchanting ambience at Palazzo Avino. Its beautifully manicured gardens and spectacular views instantly put us into relaxation mode. The historic pink palace is grand and luxurious, offering guests a haven of tranquility. The hotel beckons the opportunity to slow down and savor each moment.

We spent our time there unwinding and taking in the beauty. Whether sipping prosecco in the gardens, soaking in the rooftop whirlpool, dining on the terrace, or resting seaside at the clubhouse- our stay was reposeful and soothing to our souls.

However, compared to the other Amalfi Coast luxury hotels we’ve visited, our room was smaller and service was not as memorable. Little gestures like welcome drinks at reception, complimentary activities, and exclusive benefits for LHW elite members were lacking. Despite these critiques, we had a wonderful stay and would absolutely recommend a visit to Palazzo Avino in Ravello. The Amalfi Coast is one of those special places that we could return to time and time again never tire of it. For more help planning your Amalfi Coast vacation, check out our post about top Amalfi Coast hotels and our reviews of Amalfi’s Hotel Santa Caterina, Positano’s Le Sirenuse, Sorrento’s Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, and nearby island Ischia’s Mezzatorre Resort and Spa.

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