Hotel Palumbo, Ravello; Amalfi Coast hotels

Hotel Palumbo, near Salerno

Set high on a hillside over the Amalfi Coast, this five-star hotel in Ravello is quite stunning. The Hotel Palumbo has been created within the twelfth century Palazzo Confalone, which has other architectural and decorative elements added in the 17th century. This is a delightful confusion of a building, not corresponding to any modern-day notion of storeys or floors. The original, vertical building is of irregular shape, and the addition of various wings and a tower only contribute to a maze of corridors, corners and unexpected openings.

The hotel, gazing down upon the Gulf of Salerno and the Cilento Coast beyond, sits in one of Ravello's lovely little alleyways, a small flag-type sign the indication that here is one of the Amalfi Coast's great hotels. The 21 spacious rooms and suites are a mix of corridors, niches, arches, passageways and corners. They have thick walls and vaulted roofs, the walls painted white and with stone floors. Each room is different, and is furnished with antiques from either the 16th, 17th or 18th centuries. All have air conditioning, bathroom with bath tub, telephone and television. The hotel has a restaurant, buffet breakfast, garden, terrace, bar and pay parking. Pets are allowed. There is free WiFi internet access, baby sitting and child minding available, and the 24-hour front desk will arrange currency exchange, and even laundry and ironing should you wish.

Ravello is a lovely and very historic town. Sights include the Duomo (cathedral), the Villa Rufolo, the Villa Cimbrone and the The Church of San Giovanni del Toro (Saint John of the Bull) dating from the eighth century.

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Double room from €250