Palazzo Avino: 12th-century medieval pink palace on Ravello cliffs with Rossellinis, heated pool, and Clubhouse by the Sea

Perched 1,000 feet above the sapphire waters of the Mediterranean on the dramatic clifftops of Ravello on Italy’s Amalfi Coast (just steps from Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, 1 hour from Naples International Airport), Palazzo Avino opened in 1997 as the Amalfi Coast’s premier historic luxury palace grand hotel (formerly known as Palazzo Sasso). Originally built in the 12th century as an aristocratic palace for a noble Italian family, the 43-room "Pink Palace" is wrapped in romantic pink stucco, medieval Moorish arches, and fragrant terraced gardens filled with lemon groves and bougainvillea. Featuring the acclaimed Michelin-Starred dining institution Rossellinis, the Lobster & Martini Bar with over 100 martinis, a heated outdoor freshwater swimming pool with underwater windows overlooking the sea, the private Clubhouse by the Sea beach club in Marmorata, and the palatial Spa, this property is Ravello’s ultimate luxury grand palace.

Arrival introduces travelers to unvarnished Amalfi Coast aristocratic glamour and Mediterranean splendour: liveried footmen greet guests along the cobbled Via San Giovanni del Toro before entering the 12th-century vaulted marble lobby with antique 17th-century Neapolitan oil paintings, hand-made Vietri ceramic tiles, and chilled Campanian Greco di Tufo wine with warm lemon-scented pastries and artisanal canapés. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke Amalfi Coast sailing, cultural, and cliffside pursuits: taking the resort’s private complimentary shuttle down to the private Clubhouse by the Sea in Marmorata to swim in the sea, lounge on private sun decks, and dine by the water (15 minutes away), private walking tours to the historic gardens and panoramic Infinity Balcony of Villa Cimbrone (5 minutes away), private chartered Riva motorboat cruises along the Amalfi Coast to Positano and Capri (steps away from the beach club dock), swimming in the heated cliffside pool with underwater viewing windows, indulging in Amalfi lemon and sea salt therapies at the Spa, sipping martinis at the Lobster & Martini Bar, and reserving dinner at Michelin-Starred Rossellinis.

Palace living balances active Amalfi coastal hopping with serene cliffside wellness: The Spa at Palazzo Avino features private luxury treatment suites, hydromassage plunge pools, Turkish baths, and therapies utilizing organic Amalfi lemons, olive oil, and Valmont skincare. Dining is an extraordinary Campanian culinary summit: Michelin-Starred gastronomy at Rossellinis (featuring red prawn carpaccio, Amalfi lemon risotto, and Taurasi Grand Crus), fresh local seafood at the Lobster & Martini Bar, casual cliffside lunch at Terrazza Belvedere, and 24-hour in-room royal dining.

Accommodations comprise 43 individually decorated rooms and luxury executive suites styled in 17th-to-19th-century antique furniture, authentic hand-painted Vietri tile floors, and private furnished terraces framing the Mediterranean Sea and Amalfi coastline ranging from 30 to 110 square metres. Each residence features plush king beds with custom linens, and marble bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs, embedded TV mirrors, and custom amenities.

Amalfi purists, honeymooners, and luxury travelers seeking Ravello clifftop location, Rossellinis Michelin dining, and Clubhouse by the Sea in Italy should book Palazzo Avino without hesitation. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 4,200 reviews and a 4.9 out of 5 on Google across 5,800 reviews.