Hotel Rufolo

GUESTS BEWARE!!! Even in the midst of a pandemic and when unrestricted travel to Italy is impossible for US citizens, they refuse to refund the deposit (they required 30% of the entire stay per room). We had some of our wedding guests booked at the hotel, and had to postpone and ultimately cancel our wedding in Ravello (originally set for May, 2020), given the uncertainty and current state of things. And, not only have they refused to refund the deposit now (with more than 8 months notice so that they can rebook the rooms), they have told us that even if travel to Italy is impossible for our reserved dates, they will STILL not refund any portion of our deposit, contrary to Italian law. Do yourselves a favor and book somewhere that does not keep your money in exchange for services not performed.

This is a hidden gem. Honestly, I almost hate to leave a review as hidden gems are best kept hidden. But, they deserve it. My wife and I stayed here for 5 nights last June for our 20th anniversary trip. We loved it. While there will always be someone that has something to complain about or odd forces may combine where there is a legitimate bad experience, that did not happen for us. This was a near perfect experience. As you might be able to tell, I do not like to set high expectations, but this hotel and its staff should be commended. A quick rundown: Location: great. A very short walk from the main square. A bit longer walk, but still easy to Villa Cimbrone. View, beautiful. We sat on our porch for hours. Water-mountains. Just lovely. Room. No issues. Very comfortable. Legitimate Kung sized bed. Breakfast. Very good. Typical European. Restaurant. Very good. A nice option right on premises. Staff. Attentive, available, but not too much. Overall, great hotel. I’ll be happy when I can go back.

My wife and I lunch at the restaurant in October. The coastal view from the restaurant is stunning, and the outside ambience good. However the service was quite condescending, and the food wasn’t very good. We both had the tuna carpaccio (cut 5-10mm thick - quite heavy and not at all our idea of a thinly sliced carpaccio and not a very nice sauce) and then prawns on a lemon grass skewer - an overgenerous helping and quite heavy. Before the first course arrived we were given an amuse-bouche of a cube of very over-cooked tuna - very unattractive to look at and quite tasteless. Not cheap and we wouldn’t go back.

When my wife and I took a day trip in Ravello years ago, we knew the next time we were on the Amalfi Coast, we would want to stay in Ravello. And Hotel Rufolo was perfect. It's right at the edge of the piazza which we wanted. The rooms are classic Italian and range from standard to deluxe/elegant so there's certainly something for everyone. The hotel has everything: good breakfast, indoor and outdoor eating for lunch (delicious food), and a great restaurant overlooking the Villa Rufolo (which dates back centuries). But what truly makes a hotel are its people and the Hotel Rufolo's people are absolutely terrific. All of them -- Salvatore, Anna, Caterina, Nicola, Rosaria, Nicolinna, Debora, Francesco, Pasquale -- and all others were always super helpful and kind.

This was our first trip to the Amalfi Coast and we spent 4 days at this hotel in Ravello. Let me just say that the staff is absolutely wonderful, exceptionally nice and very outgoing. The hotel does need renovations. The rooms are very outdated with old furniture and the bed, pillows and bedding all need to be replaced immediately!!! For the prices they charge, it was disappointing that they don’t re-invest into their property. Also, if you have a room on the second floor below the restaurant, be ready to wake up early as all the chairs and tables start being moved and rearranged.