The Sasso family settled in Ravello around 1710 when Domenico Diego purchased the Palazzo Sasso from the noble Bonito family and subsequently restored it. In 1756, his son, Andrea, built the chapel, dedicated to Maria Maddalena Penitente, which is now the lobby of the hotel. Andrea died in 1758 without an heir.

The Palazzo Sasso was then abandoned until the beginning of the 19th Century when it was purchased by the wealthy Camera family. In the mid-19th Century, the first foreign visitors began to arrive, such as Francis Nevil Reid in 1851 and Richard Wagner. When James Becket bought and rebuilt Villa Cimbrone in 1904, Ravello attracted many prominent people, including Virginia Woolf, E.M. Forster, Maynard Keynes, D.H. Lawrence and Andre Gide. Following the example of other local families, The Camera family converted the Palazzo into a Hotel. In 1928 the Viullmieur family assumed the management of the hotel.

During the next half-century, Palazzo Sasso was known as Hotel Palumbo and its guests numbered kings, queens, aristocrats, poets and writers. On the declaration of war against France (in 1939), the French-born Duchess Anna of Aosta (wife of the Viceroy of Ethiopia) was applauded by the people of Ravello when she appeared on a terrace above The Principessa di Piemonte Gardens.

The beauty and tranquility of Palazzo Sasso has inspired many Twentieth Century personalities; the playwright Eduardo de Filippo wrote Saturday, Sunday, Monday on one of its terraces and General Eisenhower resided here while planning the attack on Monte Cassino. Former guests also recall Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini giggling over dinner in the restaurant.

This era was sadly interrupted in 1978, when the Viullmieur family gave up the Palazzo Sasso in favour of the Palazzo Confalone. The Palazzo then closed for 19 years.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE GUESTS

Fully restored to its grandeur, it re-opened in July 1997 setting a new standard in the world of fine hotels. Unquestionably, its heavenly setting is a sight to behold. But what truly leaves an indelible mark in your heart and mind is the Palazzo Sasso’s superb staff. As the GM, Aaron Kaupp explains when asked how did he assemble such a fine team, he responded, “I purposely seek after those individuals who are blessed with the genuine gift of ‘people skills’…those who possess a natural love of people…something you can’t teach”–in which he also added, “their experience in the hospitality industry may sometimes be secondary because that is something that can be taught and perfected with time…but the ability to genuinely make each guest feel welcome and special is a definite gift.”

Aaron’s formula is undoubtedly working. One staff member who definitely possesses the ‘people skills’ of which Aaron speaks is the Front Office Manager, Antonio Ferrara, who played a vital role in ensuring that my days were filled with superb activities, that exemplified the tremendous variety that one can experience all along the Amalfi Coast. Whether you want to explore by land, or by sea, or even on foot; whether its new Italian culinary skills you desire, (I highly recommend Mamma Agata’s Cooking School–indescribable), or an evening of classical music, or just hanging out with the locals at the village restaurant, Antonio knows everybody–and I mean everybody on the Amalfi coast. The one activity he recommended, but I was unable to fit in–a scooter ride in Capri. He said, “Mel, it is a great way to get up close and personal, as it can get you to places not reached by the regular tourists.” So, there you go, I now have one more superb reason to come back to the Amalfi Coast. After all, this ESCAPESEEKER is all about doing the non-ordinary. And, there is absolutely nothing ordinary about the Palazzo Sasso!

A GATHERING PLACE

The Palazzo Sasso is a wonderful place to gather with friends and family, after all, heaven is only “heaven” if you’re there with people you love right? My ESCAPESEEKER advance research team quickly discovered that the Palazzo Sasso is a perfect place to also make new friends. There’s something that happens when guests—some total strangers–begin their Amalfi day with Palazzo Sasso’s signature buffet breakfast…complete with omelets made to your exact specifications…served outdoors on the fragrant flower-scented terrace, surrounded by Spring’s bloom, while gazing out into that breathtaking Amalfi Coast that just seem to bring people together. My team and I ended up ‘adopting’ Evelyn and Rick from Canada, who just happen to be walking by the Palazzo Sasso one afternoon and loved it so much that they walked to the reception desk and asked if by chance they had any availability? Well, it was their lucky day. Evelyn and Rick ended up staying three days, and explored the entire Amalfi Coast with us. My advance team liked our newfound friends so much that they ended up leaving together. It seemed we had known them forever. And, as I stayed behind, savoring my last few days I had left at Palazzo Sasso, I couldn’t help but wonder. Is it the contagiously warm and friendly, familial spirit of Palazzo Sasso that makes it so easy to make new friends here? Or perhaps, when you’re in heaven, it is easy to recognize the angels who surround you?

I cannot wait to bring my talented film team to Palazzo Sasso. I know Jackson, Jason, Mike, and Christina will definitely feel as though they’ve died and gone to heaven…cinematographer’s heaven!

A sincere thank you to the Palazzo Sasso staff for making this ESCAPESEEKER research visit one we shall never forget. We definitely long to return, and this time, it will be our turn to immortalize (on film) the shining star of Ravello–THE PALAZZO SASSO!

Here’s to Blissful Escapes,

Mel

Leaving our ESCAPESEEKER trail…What a glorious day!