How Two Sisters Transformed An Italian Palazzo Into A Luxury Hotel On The Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is a magical part of Southern Italy dotted with vibrant cliff-hugging towns, all overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. It has been the destination for legendary figures arriving by private yachts to enjoy strolling the narrow cobblestone streets, eating leisurely meals, having an aperitivo on a bustling piazza, and escaping to dramatic villas.

Ravello is one of the lesser populated areas, unlike Amalfi or Positano, which are filled with cruise ship daytrippers and throngs of camera-toting tourists. It is ideally positioned at 1,150 feet above sea level with stunning coastline views, and suited for more elegant and private adventures away from the maddening crowds.

Ravello has long been a tranquil destination for creative legends (Composer Richard Wagner wrote the second act of the opera Parsifal in Ravello, D.H. Lawrence wrote Lady Chatterley's Lover there, and longtime resident Gore Vidal frequently entertained Orson Wells, Humphrey Bogart, Truman Capote, Jackie Kennedy, Rudolph Nureyev and Tennessee Williams at his Villa La Rondinaia.)

However, the current showstopper is a magnificent 12th-century property at the top of the hill. Known as the pink palace, the iconic Palazzo Avino, which opened in 1997, is now a five-star luxury hotel run by sisters Mariella and Attilia Avino.

Via a dramatic, winding cliffside drive only 37 miles from Naples Airport; the very private boutique hotel has 43 guest rooms and suites. There is an outdoor heated pool and spa, a Michelin-star restaurant, and a rare beach club on the sea with pool, restaurant, and swimming platforms.

The sisters took over the famed Palazzo from their father, Giuseppe Avino, and transformed the property into one of the finest retreats along the coast. The girls grew up learning the hotel business and now act as managing director and director of sales and marketing, with a remarkable sense of detail and style. Their younger sister Mariavittoria heads up the resort's social media.

“Our father always had a dream and a vision of having his own hotel,” says Mariella, “I remember, as a kid, we were visiting beautiful properties for sale. Then he found this building abandoned on the Hill of Ravello, saw the potential, and fell in love with it. The dream indeed came true at that moment, and we opened in 1997 after two years of conservative renovations and since then have added many beautiful pieces and ‘color’ to the property.”

“I always saw myself in Ravello, writing the future of the property,” Mariella adds. “As the eldest daughter, I had to take on responsibilities earlier than I had thought in my ideal path, but, despite the challenges we all face, the journey has been a beautiful rollercoaster.”

And the parents still keep a constant eye on the property, “Dad founded the property and always acted more behind the scenes, making the vision happen,” says Mariella. “Mum has always been involved in decorating the property and the garden. They are both the most difficult guests we have staying on the property, which is a great way for us to get an authentic guest perspective on Palazzo Avino.”

One of the most sought after parts of the property is Rossellinis, the Michelin-starred restaurant headed by Chef Giovanni Vanacore, which is open for dinner April-October. And make sure to take advantage of Luigi, the dynamic sommelier, who handpicks regional wines for the 5-7 course meals and delivers them with aplomb. Guests can also relax at Terrazza Belvedere for small bites and pasta dishes. The Lobster & Martini bar offers fresh local lobster paired with prosecco and an expansive list of 100 martinis crafted by the in-house Martini mixologist.

The full-service spa, located next to the swimming pool, includes a hydro pool, sauna, Turkish steam bath, and massage and treatment cabins. For shopping treasures, the hotel offers the adjacent Pink Closet, a luxury boutique featuring handpicked items and a signature line designed by local artisans.

Attilia oversees Palazzo Avino’s spa and wellness program and Palazzo’s cosmetics line made up of regional fruit, including Sorrento lemons, Vesuvian apricots, and Annurcan apples.

This season the Palazzo unveiled the remodeled Infinito Suite, designed by architect Giuliano Dell’Uva, which includes a private terrace, jacuzzi, and expansive sea views. “I wanted the project to be a recovery strongly rooted in the history of the place, and I imagined that color could enter the space to mirror the great beauty outside,” says Mariella. “For years I had admired architect Dell’Uva, his attention to a place’s history, and his ability to enhance the outlines with colors and timeless touch. He perfectly managed to reach both objectives and now we leave it to our guests to admire and hopefully appreciate the details.”

Regarding what lies in the future for Palazzo Avino, “We have a beautiful project for our La Cascinetta Garden and Vineyard next season. We are working on a cooking school set within a beautiful setting where guests can experience and enjoy one of the most beautiful gardens in Ravello. Renovation projects on the other rooms are also in the plan for next season.”

Also new for 2023 is their Mar-a-vi-glia white wine created by the Avino sisters and produced at La Cascinetta, the vineyard at Palazzo Avino using grapes typical of the region. Full of meaning, this name is the synthesis of the three Avino sisters’ initials, the female heart of the Avino Family.

It is truly the heart of this family that makes Palazzo Avino so unique. You leave with such an enormous gift of love from the staff, the ever-present attentive owners, and kisses from their adorable resident pooch Richard. This property is filled with passion and dedication, and it shows. La bella vita indeed!