ekscrunchy

Although I chose the least expensive room (still very pricey!!) I had a marvelous few days at this fabled hotel last September. (I did not write a trip report but will be happy to answer any questions..)

When looking up the rates for a poster on another thread, I noticed that the hotel will be renamed after its founder, in 2013. The new managing director is a grandaughter of the founder.


http://avino.manss.com/



http://www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/i...zzo-avino-8179

wekewoody

Hi ekscrunchy,
Was it the queen mountainside room that you booked? Did the outside grounds, terraces and beach club make up for the lack of view from the room? That is what I am counting on as I am contemplating doing as you did. How was the size? Adequate for two? Thank you!

ekscrunchy

Yes, that is the room that I booked. There is a partial view of the hills, and the village of Scala.

I was a single, but the room would be fine for two people, in my opinion. It is not huge, but ample, and the bathroom is spacious.

The grounds absolutely made up for the lack of a sea view, and I would book the same room again, since the savings were so substantial. The terraced gardens are stunning, as are the interior public rooms. The pool is one of the best in the area, and the fact that it is heated sets is apart from all but a tiny minority in southern Italy. I was usually the only one swimming during the last week in September.

Breakfasts are divine. One day I mentioned to a waiter that I was disappointed that there were no fresh figs on the spread, as I had seen so many on the trees outdoors. I was presented with a heaping plate of figs at breakfast every morning after that, for the rest of my stay.

There is a free shuttle to the beach club, and the shuttle will also drop you at the bus stop along the Amalfi Drive, if you want to explore other towns. (They also took me to Amalfi town).

The beach club is fabulous, but you do need to descend many, many steps to reach the water.

Staff and congenial, but not in the least bit stuffy. Most of the other guests were English speaking when I was there, but it does not feel like as much of American ghetto as the San Pietro in Positano, to name another in this upper tier.

wekewoody

That sounds wonderful! Thank you for your description and the details. It sounds perfect, including the figs.

allysone

My travel agent has suggested that I have lunch at the Palazzo Sasso on the same day that I visit the Villas Cimbrone and Rufolo. Did you eat at the restaurant? What is your opinion?
I don't mind spending money on fine food. What might lunch for two cost? Is the food as good as a comparably fine restaurant in Paris?
Thanks for your help.

ekscrunchy

I did not eat any meals other than breakfast at Palazzo Sasso.

Their restaurants are very well regarded; Rosselini's has two Michelin stars and is open for dinner only. I'm guessing 200 euro for two if you chose a moderately priced wine. Just a guess, though, based on a quick peek at the menu. I am sure they will fax you a menu if you like.

For lunch you can eat at the terrace restaurant. I can all but guarantee that the food will be good and priced in line with a luxury hotel on the Amalfi Coast. My travel partners had a light lunch of two sandwiches and non-alcoholic drinks at the terrace restaurant; I think they paid in the area of 60 euro, so figure in the $80US range for a light lunch, give or take.



Cumpa Cosimo is an old favorite, an easy walk from the hotel. There is no view but the food is good and the place is not fancy.



If you will have a car and driver, you can reach some excellent restaurants out of Ravello.
Please specify more about what kind of food and what kind of restaurant you are seeking.

allysone

Ekscrunchy...we will have a car and driver on one day and Ravello is one of our destinations, so a recommendation for dinner would be perfect.

I am intrigued by a friend's account of traveling through Italy and eating at Slow Food designated restaurants. Fresh ingredients and foods of the region, well prepared, are important. The restaurants can be modest: that matters less than good food!
Pasta, fish and regional dishes would be most appealing. We have views at our hotel and the entire time that we're traveling, so that's also secondary to the food.

Also, am I correct in remembering that awhile ago, when I was looking for information about where to travel, it was you who suggested Atrani? if so, thank you! YouTube videos of Atrani, Minori and Maiori suggest the towns are well worth a trip. Have you been there?

ekscrunchy

I've just written a long response, only to have it deleted. Here is bit or what I wrote, and I will add more later...

SlowFood is a good resource for the country, but their listings are fewer in this region because once an establishment's prices rise above a certain level, they are no longer eligable for the guide. So there are good places that were once in Slowfood, for example, A Paranza inn Atrani, that may no longer be listed in the current guide. Does not mean that the places have been dropped due to decline in quality. Because this area is much more expensive in general than many others in Italy, you will find fewer listings in the SlowFood guide. Among these are a few on the Sorrentine peninsula, including La Torre, outside Massa Lubrense, where I had an excellent lunch last September, and where I would like to return.


Atrani is about a 15 minute walk from Amalfi, either along the main road, or through the covered walkways of the town. Minori is worth a visit for its picturesque appeal, as well as for the excellent pastry and gelato shop, Da Riso, which faces the main road and where you might want to go after dinner one evening. Try one of their specialties, like the ricotta tarte.


The food mecca of the Coast is the tiny town of Cetara, where there are two fantastic seafood restaurants, that will also do non-seafood dishes. (I know this, because the first time I visited them, I was in the company of a fish shunner, who has now happily changed his ways and seen the light!) Although Cetara is on the bus line, having a car makes it much easier to get there and I would highly recommend a visit. There is a large new indoor parking facility in the upper town--good because street parking is difficult.

ekscrunchy

Two addresses for pastry/sweets/candies:

Da Riso in Minori:

http://www.salderiso.it/

Pansa in Amalfi:

http://www.pasticceriapansa.it/



Two fine restaurants in Cetara; you should book at least a day ahead, perhaps more for Sunday lunch. If you choose to dine on the late side of mealtime, you might find that the fish offerings are limited. We had a scrumptious lunch there on a Sunday last September; try their fish baked in a salt crust. You also must try the spaghetti with colatura di alici, which is the liquid from preserved anchovies. Contrary to what you might think, the dish does not taste, or smell, "fishy." It is a marvelous example of using a few prime ingredients to effect culinary magic.

Colatura, also called garum, is becoming trendy in Italian restaurants in my home city, New York. You might want to bring some home with you if you are a cook and if you do not live in a city with Italian food shops:


http://www.gustiamo.com/cgi-bin/fron...dotto?id=26306

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/22/di...lfi-coast.html





As elsewhere in Italy, fish here is priced by the kilo; prices in Cetara are more moderate than you will find in the more touristy towns further west along this coast; Cetara is still a fishing town, and the value here is excellent even if the meal will not come cheap if you order the whole fish, or shellfish.

They have a terrace facing the street, where you can eat in good weather.

http://www.acquapazza.it/




Running a close second, in the same town, Restaurant San Pietro (do not confuse with the hotel of the same name outside Positano) sits just below the main road:


http://www.sanpietroristorante.it/

Make sure to note the closing days for both of these restaurants.




In Amalfi, another good dining address is Lido Azzuro, and yet another is Marina Grande.


Finally, there is a very well regarded SlowFood restaurant in the hills above the coast, in Furore. We stayed here for one night last year so we could have dinner without worrying about the drive back at night. More rustic than the seafood temples I mentioned in Cetara, but very good if you choose their home made pasta, and their other recommendations. Just near the most renowned of the area wineries, Marisa Cuomo:



Great view of the coast below from their outdoor terrace:

http://www.baccofurore.it/hostaria.asp

ekscrunchy

Marisa Cuomo winery, in Furore. They will accommodate visitors:

http://www.marisacuomo.com/

allysone

ekscrunchy...you are so generous with your time and advice. Thank you for the restaurant and sightseeing recommendations and for taking the extra time to re-write your note. I do this often and I know how frustrating it is to loose a long post or email.

flygirl

ekscrunchy

I seem to be drafting your various trips.. Madrid (so helpful!) and now considering the Amalfi Coast. Lots of interest in this hotel. I'm also likely to just get the cheapest room, as springing for a room with balcony view appears to be triple the already expensive price. Assuming rooms are available when I finally make up my mind on timing, of course.

From what I can tell, there are so many opportunities for lounging with a view and waiters that not getting a private balcony is not a huge deal, would that be correct?

Thanks!

ekscrunchy

I absolutely agree! Yes, the "mountain view," i.e. least pricey, room was not large. But it was extremely comfortable, and there are so many places to lounge around on the grounds, including the outdoor terraces and the casual dining areas....

rineurope

Palazzo Avino is a wonderful hotel... and Ravello is simply amazing. I think the further you get from Naples, often the better the experience? Make sure you book through a Virtuoso agent to get special amenities. This year, those Virtuoso amenities include:

- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

- Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests
served in restaurant or via rooom service

- $100 USD Spa Services credit, to be utilized during stay
(not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)

- Free access to the hotel SPA every day during the stay
Including: hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam bath, aromathic showers (15 EUR value per person, per day)

- Complimentary high speed internet access
for duration of stay

- A complimentary departure gift

Antonio Ferrara, the Front Office Manager is a joy to work with. And Mariella Avino, the Managing Director and granddaughter is VERY involved in the day-to-day operations. They've been quite helpful for me.

Thanks ekscrunchy for some great suggestions on food. Always looking for good spots.