Palazzo Avino

Palazzo Avino occupies a twelfth-century patrician villa in Ravello, the cultured hill town perched three hundred and fifty metres above the Amalfi shoreline, and its rosy facade has earned it the affectionate nickname of the pink palace. Where Positano hums, Ravello contemplates: the town's gardens, villas and summer music festival set a slower, more cerebral tone, and the hotel matches it with interiors of antiques, striped silks and hand-painted tiles.

Rooms look over lemon terraces to one of Italy's most celebrated coastal panoramas, with the best suites adding balconies and whirlpools positioned for the view. The rooftop solarium and heated pool share the same widescreen outlook, and the hotel runs a shuttle to its private Clubhouse by the Sea, a rocky beach retreat that solves Ravello's altitude problem in style.

Dining is a genuine strength: Rossellinis serves ambitious tasting menus on the panoramic terrace, while the Lobster & Martini bar has become a signature evening ritual. The lower-ground spa is compact but capable. Palazzo Avino suits travellers who want the coast's beauty with Ravello's calm and culture—accepting a winding drive whenever the beach or Positano calls.