Hotel Parsifal Antico Convento Del 1288

Our original plans fell through, and the manager gave us such helpful advice on local walking tracks that he saved our trip. My husband and I loved this gorgeous, authentic accommodation, and we’re very grateful for his exceptional service. I’m late writing this, as we stayed in October 2024, and I don’t often leave reviews, but I wanted to share our experience. From the New Zealanders!

The biggest problem was how little the single room was represented online. I had booked another category, then asked by email about a sea-view room. I was told a single room was available at no extra charge, and I assumed that meant a room for one person. I didn’t expect what I found. I checked Booking.com, the hotel site, and other photos afterward, but couldn’t find any showing what this room actually looked like. Online pictures won’t match reality exactly, but guests should be able to see an accurate representation of the room they’re booking. I was nearing the end of a three-week trip through Italy and couldn’t imagine staying four nights in that room, or even unpacking. It was cramped and claustrophobic. The bed was a tiny single setup that looked like a daybed or corner couch with a mattress on it, not a standard hotel bed. The balcony was advertised as a feature but was about two feet deep and barely usable. The bathroom was even smaller than a cruise ship bathroom. At 5'11", I barely fit in the shower, and the showerhead came to about my neck, so I would have had to crouch to shower comfortably. The location was difficult for me too. I know the Amalfi Coast has hills, stairs, and cobblestones, but other options in Ravello are much closer to the main square. The uphill and downhill walks from here got exhausting. The room also wasn’t as clean as I expected: some shower caulking was peeling, and I saw dead bugs in parts of the room. Bugs can get in when a balcony door is open, but along with everything else, it made the room feel poorly maintained. At check-in, the woman at reception was kind but rushed. She took me up several flights of stairs, slid my bag into the room, and left without explaining the room or hotel features. The gentleman at the front desk was very kind and tried to help, offering me another room for two nights before moving me back. But since I was there for four nights, that meant changing rooms twice after check-in, which wasn’t realistic. I moved to another hotel about two minutes from the main square. It had a huge room, a renovated and spacious bathroom, and a large comfortable balcony with an excellent view. It was also €100 less than Hotel Parsifal. The hotel asked me to let the manager respond, and I did. I found the reply dismissive and somewhat defensive. I was told that online photos differ from seeing a room in person, that I had asked for a sea-view room, and that I hadn’t given them the chance to move me. That last point didn’t match what I’d discussed with the front desk. For my prepaid four-night stay, the offer was a refund for only one night, even though I had to pay for another hotel because I couldn’t stay. Completely unacceptable and a very disappointing experience.

We visited in February, when Ravello was almost empty and many places were closed. It was quiet and atmospheric, and a wonderful time to be there. The Parsifal has an old-school feel, meant in the best way. Antonio is a gifted host and manager with years of grand hotel experience, one of those rare hoteliers who puts the guest first. Service and attention were impeccable. Our simple, beautiful Italian-style room was comfortable and clean, with a magnificent view over part of the Amalfi coast. The food and restaurant service were perfect. I can’t recommend the Parsifal enough.

The food was amazing, and they were very flexible when we explained that we don’t drink alcohol or eat pork. We were staying elsewhere, but it was an easy walk to dinner, right in the middle of everything. At the end of the meal they offered a champagne bottle so we could pop it and not feel left out. We declined, and they brought Sprite for our toast instead. Such a thoughtful gesture. It was the best New Year’s Eve I’ve ever had.