Hotel Parsifal is housed in a 13th century convent built by the friars of the Order of Saint Augustine. Around 1948 it was converted into a hotel and now its 17 rooms, bar and restaurant are run by the Mansi Family, headed notably by Antonio Mansi,who is the sort of hotelier one reads about but rarely has the good fortune to encounter.
As a child, Antonio had worked alongside his father, manager of the Parsifal restaurant at that time. After finishing high school, he moved to Switzerland to attend the Hosta Hotel Management School in Leysin. Antonio then worked for several large hotel chains and finally landed himself the prestigious position of Food and Beverage Manager at the world-renowned Danieli in Venice...Meanwhile his family was constantly trying to find ways to lure him back home!
...but he held out saying he would only return under very specific circumstances .. if he could run his own business! And then one day in 1999, as fate would have it, the Parsifal became available...a place he had always harbored a deep affection for, a place of fond childhood memories.
Antonio jumped at the opportunity, left Venice and returned home to Ravello...
Today, 10 years later, and after some ups and downs, the Parsifal is undergoing a major upgrade....the rooms are being refurbished and there are plans for a pool. Furnishings, while mainly in the local style; Neapolitain dark wood armoires, antique wrought iron beds and multi-colored Vietri tile floors, also include pleasing tributes to Antonio's time in Venice.....Murano glass chandeliers and wall sconces. Some of the rooms have terraces, other balconies. All are painted white and have coved ceilings.. and then there are the views....from some of the rooms and from the gem of a courtyard planted with flowers and trees.
Speaking of views, from the Raffaele Restaurant and Cloister Bar you can breathe in the spectacular coastal panorama while indulging in classical Mediterranean fare. The emphasis is on local dishes prepared with a dash of originality. I had the opportunity to dine there on a couple of occasions, once starving, really late while the kitchen was closing...happy to let the chef whip up something quickly for me..a delicious black olive pasta that totally hit the mark! The service nothing but gentilissimo!! In fact Antonio and his family Leonardo, Luciano, Raffaele, Lena and Marirossi (sorry if I left anyone out) are so welcoming that you feel like part of the family.
This is the secret of the Parsifal and what sets it apart from other hotels in Ravello...the personal touch, attentiveness and graciousness...
Hopefully I will be able to return in October. I can never stand to be away from the Costiera Amalfitana for too long....
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