Pros

  • Gorgeous, historic villa dating back to the 11th century
  • Views are some of the most beautiful in the Amalfi Coast
  • Stunning gardens (private and public) are a popular tourist attraction
  • Individually decorated rooms have patterned tile and antiques
  • Rooms have furnished outdoor spaces -- some with sea views
  • Michelin-star restaurant serves Mediterranean lunches and dinners
  • Free, well-regarded breakfast of hot and cold items
  • Pretty sea-view pool lined with loungers
  • Small, bright gym and in-room massages available
  • Wedding and reception services provided
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
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Cons

  • Weddings can cause noise for rooms directly above the property's venue
  • Some rooms can be on the small side, even in the suites
  • Rather remote and isolated setting
  • Parking is located in the town square, down the stairs from the hotel
  • No full spa on-site
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Bottom Line

One of the most iconic buildings in Ravello, and the Amalfi Coast, the 11th-century Villa Cimbrone is a luxurious, family-run property that practically defines romance. Of note are its stunning storybook-like gardens, which are a tourist attraction for those passing through the region (private ones also exist just for guests), and the striking views over the Mediterranean. The 19 individually decorated rooms are classically elegant, outfitted with gorgeous patterned tile and furnished outdoor space. An excellent Michelin-starred Mediterranean eatery, free breakfast, sea-view pool, and gym are available, but there's no full spa (in-room massages can be arranged). Travelers looking to be closer to town might consider the four-pearl Hotel Palumbo Palazzo Confalone, set in the heart of Ravello. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Villa Cimbrone Hotel

Scene

Historic villa that's played host to famous faces and lots of weddings

This villa, whose earliest reference dates back to the 11th century, rates high for romance, particularly when it comes to its gardens, which are a big draw for visitors to the Amalfi Coast. After a stint as a monastery, the villa itself later became the project of an English lord who fell in love with it during his Grand Tour. The lord, Ernest Beckett, created the property's famous gardens and altered the property shortly after the turn of the 20th century, after which it played frequent host to the early 20th-century Bloomsbury Group, a circle of intellectuals including Virginia Woolf, Greta Garbo, Maynard Keynes, and Winston Churchill. Gore Vidal reportedly described the property's terrazzo dell'lnfinito, a marble-bust lined belvedere that's the peak of the property's English gardens, as the most beautiful view in the world. (Not all of its famous guests were well-behaved: author D.H. Lawrence reportedly vandalized a statue in the gardens by painting it.) 

It wasn't until the 1960s that the villa was converted into a hotel. Now, it's owned by the Vuilleumier family, who do an excellent job of maintaining the grounds and property. Guests shouldn't expect much original decor; instead, the property is made up of salvaged architectural items from all around Italy, as well as farther afield. Classical elegance pervades throughout, from colorful patterned tile, striking vaulted ceilings, and wrought-iron furniture. Given its obvious draws, the property is a popular spot for weddings and honeymoons. 

See More Scene

Location

Isolated, but perched high above the Mediterranean for excellent views

Villa Cimbrone, which looks down1,200 feet above the sea from a rocky perch known as Cimbronium (hence the name). Guests can access the beach via stairs, though the hike down (and up!) is steep and long, taking about 10 minutes. On the whole, the hotel is rather isolated, though many view being away from the region's summer crowds as a major plus. Some travelers view the property as more of a destination than a base to do significant exploration in Ravello or around the Amalfi Coast. 

It's a little bit of a hike getting here: the hotel is about an hour and 45 minutes from Naples airport by car, more more than three and a half hours by train. Given its remote location, a car is highly recommended. Note that parking is in the main square, requiring guests to walk about 10 minutes, however, luggage can be transported by golf cart. There's also a helicopter pad for those arriving that way.  

See More Location

Rooms

Individually decorated and elegant -- many with Mediterranean views

The property's 19 rooms are individually decorated and peppered with antiques from the property's long history. Most rooms are done traditionally in colors like bold red and cobalt blues, along with stunning Vietri tile floors -- an Amalfi tradition dating back to the 17th century -- and fireplaces built with stone or more of the majolica ceramic. Some suites have magnificent frescoed, vaulted ceilings. Views of the sea or gardens won't disappoint, especially from each room's furnished terrace, though it's largely worth upgrading to a sea-view unit. Toiletries are presented in their own box left on guests' beds. Some suites' bathrooms have deep soaking or whirlpool tubs extending from beautifully tiled walls, while lower-tier rooms have smaller bathrooms with large walk-in showers and bidets. Minibars, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, hairdryers, and safes come standard.

As wonderful as the rooms are, there are a few downsides when it comes to practicality. Some rooms, even suites, can be on the small side, and some guests complain that double beds comprised of two singles pushed together can be frustrating. There are no irons or ironing boards, either, which isn't uncommon in this part of Italy, though guests needing anything pressed will have to pay a fee for the service. Given that the hotel is a popular destination for weddings, it's worth checking to see if there are any functions, as rooms above event spaces can be quite loud late into the night. 

See More Rooms

Features

Iconic gardens and a Michelin-starred restaurant

For many guests, the views and gardens are the main draw to the property. The latter, which combine an English style of gardening with classical touches like little temples and copies of statues like Donatello's famous David, are a tourist attraction in their own right and open to the public during the day -- guests can also enjoy the private gardens, a more recent creation that are stunning.

The property's on-site restaurant, Flauto di Pan, has a Michelin star to its honor. Lunch menus are Mediterranean focused, while dinner is full-on modern gourmet. A free breakfast spread includes homemade yogurt, hot and cold items, and prosecco.

A pretty swimming pool has Mediterranean views, loungers, and surrounding gardens. A small, bright gym is on-site, but there's no full spa. Staff can arrange for in-room or poolside massages.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. 

See More Features

Things You Should Know About Villa Cimbrone Hotel

Also Known As

  • Hotel Villa Cimbrone

Address

Via Santa Chiara 26, Ravello 84010, Italy

Oyster Hotel Review

Villa Cimbrone Hotel

Scene

Historic villa that's played host to famous faces and lots of weddings

This villa, whose earliest reference dates back to the 11th century, rates high for romance, particularly when it comes to its gardens, which are a big draw for visitors to the Amalfi Coast. After a stint as a monastery, the villa itself later became the project of an English lord who fell in love with it during his Grand Tour. The lord, Ernest Beckett, created the property's famous gardens and altered the property shortly after the turn of the 20th century, after which it played frequent host to the early 20th-century Bloomsbury Group, a circle of intellectuals including Virginia Woolf, Greta Garbo, Maynard Keynes, and Winston Churchill. Gore Vidal reportedly described the property's terrazzo dell'lnfinito, a marble-bust lined belvedere that's the peak of the property's English gardens, as the most beautiful view in the world. (Not all of its famous guests were well-behaved: author D.H. Lawrence reportedly vandalized a statue in the gardens by painting it.) 

It wasn't until the 1960s that the villa was converted into a hotel. Now, it's owned by the Vuilleumier family, who do an excellent job of maintaining the grounds and property. Guests shouldn't expect much original decor; instead, the property is made up of salvaged architectural items from all around Italy, as well as farther afield. Classical elegance pervades throughout, from colorful patterned tile, striking vaulted ceilings, and wrought-iron furniture. Given its obvious draws, the property is a popular spot for weddings and honeymoons. 

See More Scene

Location

Isolated, but perched high above the Mediterranean for excellent views

Villa Cimbrone, which looks down1,200 feet above the sea from a rocky perch known as Cimbronium (hence the name). Guests can access the beach via stairs, though the hike down (and up!) is steep and long, taking about 10 minutes. On the whole, the hotel is rather isolated, though many view being away from the region's summer crowds as a major plus. Some travelers view the property as more of a destination than a base to do significant exploration in Ravello or around the Amalfi Coast. 

It's a little bit of a hike getting here: the hotel is about an hour and 45 minutes from Naples airport by car, more more than three and a half hours by train. Given its remote location, a car is highly recommended. Note that parking is in the main square, requiring guests to walk about 10 minutes, however, luggage can be transported by golf cart. There's also a helicopter pad for those arriving that way.  

See More Location

Rooms

Individually decorated and elegant -- many with Mediterranean views

The property's 19 rooms are individually decorated and peppered with antiques from the property's long history. Most rooms are done traditionally in colors like bold red and cobalt blues, along with stunning Vietri tile floors -- an Amalfi tradition dating back to the 17th century -- and fireplaces built with stone or more of the majolica ceramic. Some suites have magnificent frescoed, vaulted ceilings. Views of the sea or gardens won't disappoint, especially from each room's furnished terrace, though it's largely worth upgrading to a sea-view unit. Toiletries are presented in their own box left on guests' beds. Some suites' bathrooms have deep soaking or whirlpool tubs extending from beautifully tiled walls, while lower-tier rooms have smaller bathrooms with large walk-in showers and bidets. Minibars, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, hairdryers, and safes come standard.

As wonderful as the rooms are, there are a few downsides when it comes to practicality. Some rooms, even suites, can be on the small side, and some guests complain that double beds comprised of two singles pushed together can be frustrating. There are no irons or ironing boards, either, which isn't uncommon in this part of Italy, though guests needing anything pressed will have to pay a fee for the service. Given that the hotel is a popular destination for weddings, it's worth checking to see if there are any functions, as rooms above event spaces can be quite loud late into the night. 

See More Rooms

Features

Iconic gardens and a Michelin-starred restaurant

For many guests, the views and gardens are the main draw to the property. The latter, which combine an English style of gardening with classical touches like little temples and copies of statues like Donatello's famous David, are a tourist attraction in their own right and open to the public during the day -- guests can also enjoy the private gardens, a more recent creation that are stunning.

The property's on-site restaurant, Flauto di Pan, has a Michelin star to its honor. Lunch menus are Mediterranean focused, while dinner is full-on modern gourmet. A free breakfast spread includes homemade yogurt, hot and cold items, and prosecco.

A pretty swimming pool has Mediterranean views, loungers, and surrounding gardens. A small, bright gym is on-site, but there's no full spa. Staff can arrange for in-room or poolside massages.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.