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

Even the best Instagram posts can’t truly capture the magic of Palazzo Avino.

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,” said co-owner and managing director Mariella.

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

Palazzo Avino Highlights

• A private beach club with pink sun loungers is positioned with direct access to the Tyrrhenian Sea.
• A 64-foot-long outdoor pool is surrounded by manicured Italian gardens, while a rooftop whirlpool offers quieter panoramic views of the Mediterranean.
• Ravello’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, Rossellinis, is the property’s crown jewel and a celebration of Campania’s fresh flavors.
• The newly renovated Infinito Suite is a bi-level penthouse with its own jacuzzi, located at the highest point of the property.

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, 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.

In 2020, Cristina Celestino’s design firm reimagined seven rooms inspired by Italian gardens and mythological tales of the Tyrrhenian Sea, including the Belvedere Suite. Surfaces feature mother-of-pearl finishes, white terracotta floors with mocha and pink accents, and aquamarine headboards.

Venetian artist Giuliano Dell’Uva redesigned a deluxe sea-view room and renovated the bi-level Infinito Suite, adding a private terrace and jacuzzi at the property’s highest point, along with cathedral-inspired peaked windows.

“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.”

Food and Drink

Lunch is served at the al fresco Terrazza Belvedere, where pasta pomodoro and spritzes dominate the tables. Nearby, the Lobster & Martini Bar offers nearly 100 martini variations crafted by an in-house mixologist.

Michelin-starred Rossellinis is the only starred restaurant in Ravello. Dining begins on a terraced lawn overlooking Salerno Bay with live mandolin music, followed by a refined multi-course experience. Guests are introduced to a water menu listing mineral content and pH levels of waters from around the world.

Chef Giovanni Vanacore offers three tasting menus, including a vegan option. Amalfi lemons feature prominently, and dishes highlight the balance of Campania’s land and sea.

Activities and Experiences

A standout experience is the Clubhouse by the Sea, reached via a 20-minute shuttle. Pink loungers overlook the Tyrrhenian Sea with direct water access, a rarity in Ravello. The beach club includes a pool and full-service restaurant.

The Pink Closet boutique offers designer shoes, vintage fashion, and Italian housewares curated by Mariella. The lobby’s Caffè Dell’Arte hosts rotating exhibitions spotlighting emerging female artists through the “Palace to Palace” initiative.

In 2025, Palazzo Avino will open a cooking school, La Cascinetta, set in the garden alongside the property’s small vineyard, which produces its own white wine, Mar-A-Vi-glia.

Location

Perched high above the Amalfi Coast, Ravello offers sweeping views and a calm atmosphere. The main square and Villa Rufolo are steps away. Nearby Scala is home to Trattoria Da Lorenzo, a family-run favorite known for tableside pasta presentations and fresh seafood.

Accessibility and Sustainability

An ADA-compliant room is available on the main floor. Some amenities, including the garden spa and main pool, are accessible only by stairs.

The hotel operates a water recycling facility, uses low-flow showers, and enforces a no single-use plastic policy.

“We believe that luxury and sustainability go hand in hand,” said Mariella.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Palazzo Avino operates seasonally from early April to mid-October. The best rates are typically available in April and May. Certain premium cardholders may receive benefits such as room upgrades and daily breakfast, subject to availability.