Hotel Ravesi had been on my list for a while, and it ended up being one of my favourite hotel stays in Italy. In this Hotel Ravesi review, I’m sharing what it was really like to stay here. From our apartment at Casa Clementina to the food, service, and experiences that made our stay so special.
Disclosure: Hotel Ravesi kindly gifted our stay. However, as always, all opinions in this review are my own and based on my personal experience.
In This Review
Hotel Ravesi Location: The Perfect Base for Exploring Salina
Hotel Ravesi is located in the centre of Malfa, one of the loveliest villages on Salina. Restaurants, small shops, a supermarket, and a pharmacy are all within walking distance. Punta Scario, one of the island’s most beautiful swimming spots, is also nearby.
Arriving at Hotel Ravesi
Most visitors reach Salina by hydrofoil from Milazzo, Palermo, or one of the other Aeolian Islands. Boats arrive at Santa Marina Salina or Rinella, and Hotel Ravesi can arrange a taxi from either port. Our journey from Santa Marina took around 20 minutes and cost €20.
You can also take the local bus, which connects the ports with Malfa and the island’s other villages. The team was incredibly helpful before our arrival, assisting with transport options and sharing practical information to make the journey as smooth as possible.
About Salina
Salina feels a little different from the other Aeolian Islands. While Panarea is known for its glamorous atmosphere and Stromboli for its active volcano, Salina feels quieter, greener, and more authentic.
Two volcanic peaks shape the island: Monte Fossa delle Felci and Monte dei Porri. At 962 metres, Monte Fossa delle Felci is the highest point in the Aeolian Islands. During the cooler months, hiking here is a fantastic experience, with views across the archipelago.
Salina is also known for its capers and Malvasia wine. Its fertile volcanic soil supports vineyards, olive groves, citrus trees, and caper plants, giving the island its beautifully green character.
Hotel Ravesi Design: History and Aeolian Character
The first thing that struck me about Hotel Ravesi was how much character it has.
It does not feel like a modern hotel that could be located anywhere in the world. Instead, it feels deeply connected to Salina and the family behind it.
The Ravesi family transformed their 19th-century hamlet into the hotel you see today. During the restoration, they retained many elements of the original property. You will find terracotta floors, wooden beams, lava stone details, traditional tiles, and antique furniture throughout the hotel.
One of my favourite features was the hotel bar, which the family created from an old fermentation tank once used to produce wine and Malvasia. It’s little touches like these that make the property feel unique and rooted in the island’s history.
The gardens are another highlight. They spread across several terraces and are filled with citrus trees, herbs, flowers, caper plants, and vegetables used in the kitchen. There are plenty of peaceful corners where you can read, enjoy a coffee, or sit with a glass of wine.
Hotel Ravesi Rooms and Suites
Hotel Ravesi has 19 rooms and four apartments, each with its own layout and character.
We stayed at Casa Clementina, one of the hotel’s independent apartments located a few minutes’ walk from the main property. Although some guests may prefer staying directly at the hotel, we loved the extra privacy and tranquillity.
Our apartment included a bedroom, a small kitchenette, a spacious bathroom, and a private furnished terrace. The bed was very comfortable, the air conditioning worked well, and the shower had excellent water pressure. The hotel also provided toiletries.
The kitchenette was useful for keeping drinks cold and preparing something small. The apartment felt peaceful and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
Guests at Casa Clementina can still use all the main hotel facilities, including breakfast, the infinity pool, the gardens, and the hotel’s experiences.
For those who prefer staying closer to the pool and gardens, Hotel Ravesi also has plenty beautiful sea-view rooms and suites.
Service and Amenities at Hotel Ravesi
What made Hotel Ravesi stand out most during our stay was the people behind it.
When we arrived, we received a personal tour and learned more about the hotel’s history, the Ravesi family, and their connection to Salina.
Lucie, the hotel manager, went out of her way to make our stay wonderful. Every member of the team was genuinely kind, attentive, and enthusiastic about helping us experience the island.
Hotel Ravesi strikes that rare balance between attentive service and complete relaxation. The team made us feel genuinely cared for throughout our stay.
The Infinity Pool
The infinity pool is undoubtedly one of the hotel’s highlights.
From the pool and sun terrace, you can look across the sea towards Panarea and Stromboli. I especially loved watching the little birds swoop down to drink from the edge of the pool. It was such a small detail, but it made those quiet moments even more memorable.
The hotel uses a salt purification system for the pool, while solar energy heats the water during the cooler months.
Sustainability at Hotel Ravesi
Sustainability forms a natural part of how Hotel Ravesi operates. Solar panels generate renewable electricity, the hotel has reduced its use of disposable plastics, and the kitchen uses produce from the family garden whenever possible.
The hotel also rents out electric scooters and e-bikes. Exploring Salina by e-bike was one of our favourite activities. The winding roads lead past vineyards, villages, and beautiful sea views, while the electric assistance makes the steeper sections much easier.
We loved being able to travel at our own pace and stop whenever we spotted a beautiful viewpoint.
Dining at Hotel Ravesi
Malfa has several lovely restaurants within walking distance, but we still found ourselves eating at Hotel Ravesi more often than expected. The peaceful garden setting made it very tempting to stay.
Breakfast
Breakfast quickly became one of my favourite parts of the day.
Each morning, we ate in the garden surrounded by greenery. The selection included fresh fruit, local products, homemade jams, and a mixture of sweet and savoury Sicilian specialities.
What makes breakfast particularly special is the involvement of Signora Ravesi herself. She still prepares many of the cakes, quiches, and other homemade treats served each morning. That personal touch reflects what makes the hotel so lovely. The food feels connected to the family, the garden, and the island rather than simply being another hotel breakfast buffet.
Lunch and Dinner
Hotel Ravesi also serves light lunches and dinners in the garden and near the bar.
The menu focuses on simple dishes made with flavourful local ingredients. Many vegetables and herbs come directly from the family garden. You can also expect ingredients such as capers, fish, Sicilian cheeses, and traditional Aeolian preserves.
The menu is intentionally light and ideal when you want to eat well without leaving the peaceful surroundings of the hotel. We especially enjoyed sitting in the garden at the end of the day. The atmosphere felt relaxed, and the food allowed the local ingredients to speak for themselves.
Experiences at Hotel Ravesi
One thing I particularly loved about Hotel Ravesi is that it offers more than a beautiful place to sleep. Its experiences introduce guests to the flavours, traditions, and landscapes of Salina.
Sunset Wine Tasting
One experience I would especially recommend is the sunset wine tasting at the wine bar.
We sat in the garden, tasting local wines and Sicilian delicacies as the sky changed colour. Our tasting focused on wines from Salina. The island has a long winemaking tradition, and many local families still own small vineyards.
The sommelier made the experience especially memorable. His passion came through in the way he spoke about the island, its vineyards, and the people behind each bottle. The stories added so much to every wine we tried.
It was not simply a tasting. It felt like an introduction to Salina through its landscape, traditions, and flavours.
Mixology Masterclass
We also joined a mixology masterclass with Hotel Ravesi’s bar manager, Daniele.
We started in the gardens, where we picked fresh herbs to use in our cocktails. Daniele then taught us more about Italian cocktails, their ingredients, and the techniques used to make them.
His passion and creativity made the class genuinely fun. Afterwards, we enjoyed our cocktails in the garden with a selection of local delicacies.
Exploring Salina from the Water
Seeing Salina from the sea gives you a completely different perspective on the island. Its coastline is filled with rocky coves, volcanic cliffs, caves, and incredibly clear water.
Hotel Ravesi organises private boat excursions for its guests. Options include trips around Salina, visits to neighbouring Aeolian Islands, and sunset experiences. One of the most popular excursions is the Stromboli by Night tour, where guests can watch for Stromboli’s eruptions after dark.
Unfortunately, we could not join one of Hotel Ravesi’s boat trips during our stay. That has simply given us another reason to return!
Hotel Ravesi Review: The Final Word
What makes Hotel Ravesi special is the way everything comes together: the family history, beautiful gardens, local food, thoughtful experiences, and, above all, the people.
The hotel is a wonderful choice for couples and travellers who value atmosphere, personal service, and a genuine connection to the destination.
Casa Clementina is ideal when you prefer a little more privacy. The rooms and suites at the main property may suit you better if you want to stay close to the pool, gardens, and bar.
We arrived expecting a beautiful hotel and left with a much deeper appreciation for Salina. If you are wondering where to stay in the Aeolian Islands, Hotel Ravesi is somewhere I would happily recommend, and I would love to return one day.
