Perched on a handsome crag overlooking Ravello, Palazzo Pascal is a historic boutique I stumbled on when searching for a hotel for the final two days of our 1-week Amalfi Coast road trip.
I was searching for a hotel with a pool and beautiful views, somewhere between Ravello and Amalfi.
We had hired a car so we also needed something with parking. Palazzo Pascal was one of the few hotels in the area that fit the bill – but at nearly £600 a night, it was more than we were planning to pay.
In the end, I was persuaded by the near-perfect reviews, and we booked to stay there for two nights. (We paid full price, so this is not a sponsored review). But was it worth the money in the end?
The short answer is yes, it was definitely worth the money, but there are still a few things to know before you go.
Here I’ll cover everything you need to know before you book, including info on the location and getting around, plus an overview of the facilities, service, accommodation and food.
Palazzo Pascal Ravello Review: Overview
Palazzo Pascal is the best luxury hotel in Scala, a gorgeous hamlet between the famous towns of Ravello and Amalfi. It’s just a 5-minute drive from Ravello and 15 minutes from Amalfi and Atrani. There is also a bus you can take to reach the nearby towns if you don’t have your own car.
In terms of atmosphere, this authentic Italian five-star hotel offers unpretentious luxury among the olive groves, complete with a soundtrack of bleating sheep and the occasional knell of a nearby church bell.
While the location is laid-back, however, attention to detail is anything but. The hotel’s staff are on hand to offer old-world hospitality at every turn, from cocktails delivered by the pool to special surprises set up in your suite.
Once a mansion for Amalfi’s ancient nobility, the property offers a boutique stay of epic proportions, with some suites boasting panoramic views of the surrounding jewel-toned landscape.
There are just seven sumptuously appointed suites, each with its own individual theme and character. We stayed in LILLÀ, dubbed the ‘romantic suite,’ with an expansive terrace and luxurious lilac accents.
There are more cost-effective suites without terraces if you are on a tighter budget.
Location
Palazzo Pascal is located in Scala, a short 5-minute drive or 30-minute walk from the centre of Ravello. It’s also worth noting that the hotel is a little way from the road, down some stairs. So, pack light!
While it might sound counterintuitive to stay outside the city itself, it is only here that you can get an incredible panoramic perspective of the entire town.
Spend your day exploring Villa Cimbrone, and then return to Palazzo Pascal, where you can watch the sun set over those very same ancient stone walls.
You can also reach Amalfi and Atrani within a 15-minute drive, which makes it the perfect base for your stay on this section of the coast.
The hotel can arrange parking for your vehicle, which is a Godsend on the Amalfi Coast. Alternatively, there is a bus stop outside the hotel for the 5110 bus, which goes to both Ravello and Amalfi.
It doesn’t stop too regularly outside the hotel, but you can walk into Scala (20 minutes), where it stops several times an hour.
Since Palazzo Pascal is a little bit more remote, I would recommend hiring a car if you plan to stay here. That is possibly one of the only potential downsides to staying at this hotel!
**Read my full guide to driving the Amalfi Coast here.**
Décor and Facilities
Think old-world Italian elegance meets modern Mediterranean luxury. You’ll find blue and white ceramic tiled floors and floral wallpaper, with whitewashed furnishings and accents.
The quaint, kidney-bean-shaped pool is surrounded by plush sunbeds and umbrellas, while the restaurant is set up on a grass terrace, shaded by olive trees. There is also an indoor bar and dining area, should the distant mountain clouds start to threaten.
The décor is not for the minimalist but more for the admirer of fine things, the one who prefers timelessness over trends and appreciates the art of ancient hospitality.
It is refined yet winsome – polished yet plush and inviting, evoking a striking sense somewhere between longing and belonging.
Of course, you won’t find a high-tech gym or spa here, but for us, that was all part of the charm of this cosy boutique.
Food and Drink
At Palazzo Pascal, it is truly Gli Ulivi Restaurant that steals the show.
Here, simple garden furniture is set up against a jaw-dropping mountainous backdrop, as lanterns hanging from olive trees twinkle mischievously in the twilight. Enjoy a sparkling Italian aperitif before settling in for an exquisite dining experience.
The prices are high, yes, but nowhere else have I seen such an intimate yet show-stopping setting for a meal.
Of course, you’re in Italy, so you can expect fresh flavours and fine wines to accompany, from creative seafood pasta to desserts made with homegrown produce and passion.
Breakfast is a typically continental affair, which you can choose to have served by the pool or on the terrace in your suite.
I was perfectly happy with pastries and cold cuts for breakfast, but if my partner had one complaint, it would be the lack of any hot items on the menu for breakfast.
Service
Unobtrusive, smooth, and authentically Italian is how I would describe the service at Palazzo Pascal Ravello.
We were there celebrating our engagement, and they went out of their way to make our stay special, without bursting our romantic little bubble.
You feel as though the staff are always there if you need them, but never in the way. We received an incredibly warm welcome at the restaurant and at reception, with someone always around to help you with bookings, directions, and recommendations.
Palazzo Pascal Ravello Review: Summary
In my opinion, Palazzo Pascal is one of the most ‘hidden gem’ Ravello hotels there is. I usually avoid the phrase hidden gem because it’s so overused, but in this case, I genuinely feel it applies.
Because it’s not technically located right in Ravello, you get incredible value for money and a veritable feast of views, from the time-honoured town on the hillside right down to the azure waters of Amalfi. The only downside is that you may need a car if you’re planning to visit all of the nearby towns and villages.
If you were planning on hiring a car anyway or looking for somewhere to relax away from the crowds, don’t walk, run, to book this extraordinary boutique hotel for your stay on the Amalfi Coast.
Book Your Stay at Palazzo Pascal Ravello
You can book on Booking.com here or on Expedia here.
Other Boutique Amalfi Coast Hotels With Pool
I don’t know about you, but I just can’t contemplate a hotel in a hot country without a pool.
My husband will tell you I’m not much of a swimmer, but that certainly doesn’t stop me from craving the cool blues of an afternoon by the pool, preferably with a cocktail in hand. It’s the ideal antidote to hot city strolls and, dare I say it, the relentless weathering of a sandy beach.
Therefore, when we went on our Amalfi Coast Road trip, the one box I made sure I always ticked was hotels with a pool.
Just outside Sorrento, Hotel & Spa Bellavista Francischiello is incredibly reasonably priced and has a rooftop pool with a view of Capri (pictured above). There’s a bus to take you to and from town that stops right outside the front door.
In Positano, a pool can be harder to come by, and you will end up paying a premium. I recommend staying in nearby Praiano at Hotel Margherita or Tramonto d’Oro (for distant views of Positano).
If you fancy staying in Amalfi Town, try the Marina Riviera Hotel, which is a quaint little property right on the promenade.
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