Weddings at PALAZZO AVINO
A marshmallow pink palace with a seat among the clouds, this private 12th century villa turned five-star boutique hotel is a picture of Italian elegance, balancing its breathtaking views and contemporary interiors with a serene location and lively spirit
WEDDINGS AT PALAZZO AVINO
If Elle Woods spent her sun-spangled summers in the Amalfi Coast, we have a feeling she'd call this pretty pink palace her perennial stomping grounds. Jutting out from the rippling terraces of olive trees and jumbo lemon pergolas, Palazzo Avino seems to be Ravello's answer to Aphrodite. A legend in its own right, this fixture of the cliffside town writers and artists have been flocking to for centuries has been around since the 12th one. Miraculously, the soul it must have traded for a rather fantastical immortal life remains largely unchanged - picturesque vistas starring the glittering Tyrrhenian Sea, a lively energy throughout the Vietri-tiled dwellings and a martini bar challenging you to choose between 99 tantalizing tipples on the wall. It's a contemporary odyssey we'd return to time and time again.
Pink Palace Glamour
Slim Aarons Beach Club
Mermaid Refuge
Style
Vineyards, lemon groves, and the coast’s picturesque fishing villages unfurling down to the sea
Ravello’s ancient gardens with panoramic terraces
Views
Luxury Boutique Hotel
Partial Hire or Full Privatization
Wedding Day and Auxiliary Events
Type
A marshmallow pink palace with a seat among the clouds, this private 12th century villa turned five-star boutique hotel is a picture of Italian elegance, balancing its breathtaking views and contemporary interiors with a serene location and lively spirit
Photos courtesy of Palazzo Avino and by Andrea Gallucci and Alize Wilkinson
THE LOOK
Meandering through the cosmopolitan alcoves of this marshmallow pink glamour girl is a practice in patience indeed. Social media has taught us to treat every glittering view and divinely appointed interior with a sense of urgency, clamoring for your camera before blinking, as if the utopia before you is a mirage. There for a moment... gone in a flash. Lucky for all of us, this pastel palazzo has been around since the 12th century. It's not going anywhere!
Palazzo Avino invites you to a headspace of serenity - one where you can let the calm, bucolic energy of Ravello wash over you whilst enjoying life's greatest pleasures (the handiwork of the divine, ingredients plucked from local terra firma and percussion from waves in harmony with birdsong). Naturally, the aesthetics are on par with the experience - Moorish arches, exotic stone, cascading gardens with postcard sea views... It's a five-star hotel that hardly feels stuck in the past.
Even so, its roots are omnipresent. The architecture-forward interiors and flower-filled landscapes bridge the gap between land and sea whilst paying homage to the aristocratic family the palazzo was commissioned for in the first place. A foundation of white dominates the color palette accented by chromatic moods designed to work in dialogue with one another - aquamarine, coral and sand.
You'll find polished onyx in freshly revamped bathrooms, abstract bands of pink, green and golden hues that don't feel far-off from Saturn's. Clean geometry prevails in the suites, from the custom furniture to the tiled floors, while other rooms throughout the hotel are standouts for their cabinet of curiosities from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Palazzo Avino's terraced gardens deserve equal acclaim, a dash of walnut sun loungers here, a 65' pool there. The restaurants peeking over towards the harbors of Maiori and Minori could not have a more supreme position as well - each of them a blank slate offering infinite potential.
Only a 15 minute shuttle ride from the hotel's mountaintop perch is the private beach club - a chic party spot that rocks in all sorts of ways (come on, we had to!), this is the only hotel in Ravello to boast direct access to the water's edge! The vibe is 60's Italian Riviera with a hint of modern mermaid - scalloped parasols and shimmery turquoise waters set the scene.
THE EVENT SPACES
Best suited for smaller weddings of up to 70 guests, Palazzo Avino is a cornucopia of souped-up event spaces with panoramic views. The terraced gardens, spanning 3 levels and perched 1,000 feet above sea level, are a shoo-in for intimate outdoor ceremonies and drink receptions - between 20-40 guests, depending on the terrace. Symbolic, Jewish and Protestant ceremonies are possible here, and the terraces become available after 6:30pm if you're not doing a full privatization of the hotel. Of course, Ravello's impressive lineup of historic Duomos offers beautiful alternatives for couples who have their hearts set on a religious Catholic ceremony.
Dinners for up to 70 guests are held at Palazzo Avino's Michelin starred restaurant, Rossellini's - a canopied terrace with an impressive breadth and aerial sea views. Often garnished with vibrant bundles of jumbo-sized lemons, pendulous clusters of wisteria vines or billowy draping that frames the expansive vistas, there is stupendous potential for customizing this space to your own event aesthetic. While acoustic musicians are allowed inside (think: those mandolin and guitar duos we all associate with Southern Italy), you can enjoy live music al fresco until 11:00pm.
Then there's the beach club - that sparkling oasis channeling old-school la dolce vita. It can host up to 45 people across the swimming pool, restaurant and wave-shaped beach platforms, giving you even more volition for your party space should your guest list be ultra-exclusive. Privatizing the villa means you'd also get access to the coveted rooftop terrace, where piccolo umbrellas bobbing in aperol spritzes enjoyed are practically canon.
While smaller guest counts enjoy the widest array of benefits at Palazzo Avino (including indoor salons as existing rain backup spaces for outdoor ceremonies + cocktail hours), it's become a bit of an It Girl for auxiliary wedding events through the years. Welcome Parties, Bridesmaid Luncheons, Beach Club Sendoff Days... these are all very real ways of how past couples have embraced the art of venue hopping and experience curation for their destination wedding in the Amalfi Coast.
Plus, the palazzo quite literally rubs shoulders with the Belmond Hotel Caruso, a laboratory of supreme hospitality practices and immersive experiences, so it's often the case that couples will kick off the weekend's itinerary with a festa at Palazzo Avino, even if they're hosting their wedding day at the Belmond.
THE ROOMS
43 rooms, 86 beds, incalculable views. These luxury burrows are among the best in the Amalfi Coast, often reserved by A-listers and modern day royalty. Whether Palazzo Avino's siren call is attributed to the impeccable designs, halcyon views, or splendorous amenities, we can't be certain... but the sum of its parts is enough to convince anyone straddling the line between interest and action. This castle in the sky is a bliss-filled haven indeed!
While all rooms are distinct from one another, thanks to their unique layouts and highly curated assortments of European antiques, Asian rugs and Vietri tiles, the ten suites that recently underwent a facelift by Cristina Celestino are the real standouts. Each tells a story through its emblematic colorway (layered pigments of aquamarine, coral or sand) and radiant materials. Witnessing the veneers of these contemporary suites feels a bit like the discovery of Ravello's ancient crayon box. And that's entirely the point. The designer's intention was to marry the past and present, a sense of place and a hint of the supernatural... she knocked it out of the park. The experience is entirely transformative... emotive... unforgettable.
The Deluxe Suites with a terrace are worth the splurge. There are four of these spacious apartments, each with their own bedroom, separate living area, bathtub with a Jacuzzi and - you guessed it - exquisite sea views. For couples, we recommend the Belvedere Suite for its secluded location (it's the only one located in the gardens!), its massive terrace overlooking the sea (403 sq. feet all to yourself) and design that feels more like a private home than a hotel suite.
Photos courtesy of Palazzo Avino and by Andrea Gallucci, Davide Lovatti, Roberto Bonardi and Abby Jiu
"A town of just 2,500, Ravello combines the charm of an ancient Italian hilltop village, like those Tuscany is famous for, with a coastal setting overlooking the gorgeous turquoise waters of the Mediterranean." - Forbes
THE FOOD & BEV
Pardon our Southern roots, but the food at Palazzo Avino is finger-licking good. With 6 restaurants on-site, you're simply spoilt for choice. There's a casual al fresco trattoria just steps away from the garden terraces peppered with sun loungers, as well as the indoor Caffé dell’Arte where you can enjoy either digestif or aperitif alongside tasty Italian snacks under the melodic spell of a live pianist whose gracefully deft cadence feels like something out of The White Lotus.
The real culinary journey starts at the Lobster & Martini Bar (with the freshest local lobster + over 100 uniquely crafted martinis on offer) and ends at Rossellini's, the Michelin-starred restaurant you've seen in every Amalfi Coast guidebook. Decadence is guaranteed from the saffron escargot to the wild rabbit ravioli, the latter served on Pecorino cream fondant and topped with black truffle - yum!
Known for seamlessly balancing technique with "muse of place", Executive Chef Giovanni Vanacore creates from the heart, often looking to his childhood experiences for inspiration, alongside modern interpretations of classic Amalfi Coast flavors. Expect out-of-the-box presentation on par with the quality of the flavors, and judiciously-picked vintages of wine alongside that!
For events, expect refined fare that takes advantage of the breathtaking location as part of the fully immersive dining experience. Casual options + lighter fare are of course available considering that crowd-pleasers are usually first choice for celebrations, but if you're having an intimate festa with a handful of adventurous eaters, know you're in good company with this culinary team.
Please note that use of in-house catering is required for events at Palazzo Avino.
Photos courtesy of Palazzo Avino and by Alize Wilkinson, Mariella Avino, Via Tolela, Andrea Gallucci, Nimisha Mehta, Stuart Cantor Photography and Morgan Goldberg
THE LOCATION
If views are currency, then Ravello possesses some of the greatest wealth throughout the Amalfi Coast. A jewel box sized town at the top of a mountain, the serpentine roads and hair pin turns climbing up, up, up from the foothills of Amalfi are the most adventurous pursuits you'll find in your journey to Ravello. After all, people flock here of all pastel stuccoed villages for seclusion and serenity. And thankfully, the town holds true to its promise!
With cobblestone roads, aristocratic palazzi and distinguished Italian gardens, the town has a fairly medieval-meets-renaissance quality to it. While evidence of its Middle Age roots remain, there's a sense of rebirth everywhere you look from the natural beauty to the manmade enhancements.
Packed during the day with tourists, an inevitable concession anyone getting married in the Amalfi Coast must make, the town remains quieter than nearby Positano and Capri. It has the added accessibility of being only 15 minutes by car to coastal towns like Marmorata (where its exclusive direct-sea-access beach club beckons), Atrani (an authentic fishing village that has remained relatively untouched despite the region's burgeoning popularity) and Amalfi (a vibrant and buzzy town with a jaw-droppingly ornate 13th c cathedral).
Ravello itself is a destination you'll never want to leave - particularly when the hotel boasts pool lounges so close to the sun you can practically taste it! Of course, there's also the famous Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, the Piazza del Duomo, the ceramics at Pascal Ceramiche d’Arte which may even rival Vietri's... it's a town that's notable for its scenery, memorialized by poets + musicians and beloved for its quietude compared to the rest of the coast.
The days surrounding your wedding here might include cooking classes with Mamma Agata, Mamma Agata, a fleet of boats surprising your VIPs with a visit to Capri's Blue Grotto, a zippy vespa ride to the hotel's private beach club or umbrella-studded beaches of Atrani, a welcome party at Villa Cimbrone and send-off celebration at Belmond Hotel Caruso (both neighboring Palazzo Avino in Ravello)... the list goes on!
Photos courtesy of Palazzo Avino and by Davide Lovatti
THE BEST FIT FOR
Couples hosting a small(ish) wedding with 70 guests or under seeking a contemporary vibe in a coastal setting with breathtaking views would do well to host one or all of their wedding events at Palazzo Avino. The best weddings are those that celebrate the pre-existing beauty of their venue + its setting versus covering it up entirely, and this aristocratic castle in the clouds could not be better suited for those interested in the Da Paolina "canopy of a thousand lemons" vibes (without the logistical headache of coordinating group transfers to the island of Capri) or the Le Sirenuse plunge pool energy (without the crowds + noise of Positano).
As mentioned, Palazzo Avino is also well-suited for couples who want to spice up their event itinerary across a handful of venues, without making the "getting there" part a challenge for their guests. Because everything within Ravello is pretty centrally located, it's quite easy to walk from one five-star palazzo hotel to another. And boy, are the immersive entertainment opportunities for those well-heeled village parades endless!
While it's great if most of your guests rent cars, it's not necessary by any means. The concierge team at Palazzo Avino is well-equipped to assist you and your loved ones with private car, taxi, boat and helicopter transfers so that no Amalfi Coast town feels out of reach. Because of Ravello's clifftop perch, you and your guests can even enjoy scenic walks down the cascading emerald garden tiers connecting Ravello to Atrani.
While this luxury Amalfi Coast wedding venue doesn't come cheap, the benefits speak for themselves and you'll find yourselves saving in other areas like guest transportation depending on your structure and scope of events. All in all, couples seeking a winning combination of warmth, elegance, history, glamour and privacy will find Palazzo Avino impossible to beat.
Please note, the hotel is open seasonally from April to October.
How to Reach PALAZZO AVINO
PLANE
Naples International Airport (NAP)
1 hr
Salerno Costa d'Amalfi (QSR)
1 hr, 15 min
TRAIN
Vietri sul Mare
30 min
Salerno
1 hr, 5 min
Napoli Centrale
1 hr, 15 min
AUTOMOBILE
Atrani
15 min
Amalfi
15 min
Praiano
45 min
Positano
5o min
Naples
1 hr, 15 min
Sorrento
1 hr, 15 min
Photos courtesy of Palazzo Avino and by Abby Crowe, Abby Jiu, Andrea Gallucci, Audrey Diamont, Tina Jackson Gahafer, Vanessa Mello and Leslie Love
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