Hotel Splendido Portofino - Liguria

Hotel Splendido is located in a fabulous position on green hillside above the glamorous Italian sea resort of Portofino. An exotic Mediterranean garden, brimming with lavender, wild herbs, olive trees and bougainvillea, cascades down the hillside beneath the hotel to the sea. The four storey building, originally a medieval monastery, was built on an east-west axis, following the contour of the hill, so as to be exposed to maximum sunlight and affording stunning views of the sea from all its principal windows. In the 16th century, the monks, plagued by continual attacks perpetrated by the dastardly Saracen pirates, abandoned the property.

Some three centuries later, Baron Baratta converted what was, by that time, a derelict building, in to his grandiose summer residence. In 1901 Villa Baratta was purchased by Ruggero Valentini who transformed the edifice in the Grand Hotel Splendid, a hotel which immediately attracted a constant flow of illustrious personages; from travel happy aristocrats to the international stars of the silver-screen; all eagerly taking up residence in the Splendido's unique bedrooms and suites with balconies or terrace overlooking the sea and the colourful harbour of Portofino.

The Hotel Splendido has 64 beautifully appointed guestrooms of which 34 are suites, including the magnificent Presidential Suite. This spectacular apartment, the master bedroom of which is decorated with a ornate tromp d'oeil, has a total of four spacious terraces overlooking the bay of Portofino and Tigullio.

The climate of the Italian Riviera is so mild that guests are able to dine at the open air "La Terrazza" restaurant throughout the season. As one might expect, the menu features the freshest local fish and seafood as well as phenomenal pasta dishes and the region's legendary pesto. A larger indoor restaurant seats up to 120 guests in sumptuous belle époque dining rooms. Informal lunches and snacks are served at the poolside bar.

The Hotel Splendido boasts an excellent Wellness Center offering yoga, pilates, ayurveda and aromatherapy, in addition to a wide range of face and body treatments using products from the Kanebo range. A fitness room, tennis court and heated sea water swimming pool complete the hotel's on site leisure facilities. A truly exclusive venue for elite gatherings and top level meetings in Portofino, the Hotel Splendido has two well-appointed function rooms; the Pitosforo Room and the Ginepro Room.