Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino

Setting & First Impressions

Nestled high above Portofino’s harbor in a former 16th-century monastery, Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino has re-emerged after a multi-year transformation led by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. The hillside setting frames sweeping views of the bay while preserving a sense of seclusion; arrival feels cinematic yet unforced, with terraces stepping through gardens scented by citrus and pine.

The recent reopening ushers in a carefully updated classic rather than a radical reinvention. Heritage is foregrounded—polished stone underfoot, botanical motifs, and handcrafted detailing—yet the flow of spaces is lighter and more contemporary, paving the way for convivial dining, restful suites, and a more immersive connection to the landscape.

Design & Rooms

Public areas celebrate Ligurian craft with frescoes and custom pieces in Carrara marble, Graniglia and Lavagna stone, balanced by soft textures and sun-bleached tones. Guestrooms continue this residential mood: rattan-style Midollino weaving lends warmth; hand-painted ceramics nod to Albissola traditions; restored furnishings add patina without fuss. The result is quietly luxurious and unmistakably Italian—comfortable, layered, and designed for lingering with the windows open to sea and garden.

Among the standout accommodations, the Baronessa Suite channels the drawing room of a well-traveled aristocratic home, extending onto a private garden and broad terrace. Here, indoor finery meets the outdoors in a way that encapsulates the property’s refreshed identity: cultivated, romantic, and tuned to its hillside environment.

Dining & Bar Scene

The dining landscape is anchored by La Terrazza, where regional seafood and pasta lean into seasonal simplicity while views unfurl across the coastline. At the pool level, Splendido Grill pairs grilled classics with the easy rhythm of long Riviera afternoons.

The new social heart is Baratta Sedici—named for the address on Salita Baratta 16—where a hand-painted botanical mural, terracotta and green tones, and a luminous onyx counter create an elegant yet relaxed backdrop for aperitivi. It feels both of-the-moment and rooted in place, drawing locals and guests alike for pre-dinner negronis and late-evening conversation.

Wellness & Leisure

Dior Spa Splendido marks the brand’s first permanent spa in Italy, set within tranquil indoor-outdoor spaces that echo the gardens. Treatments blend Dior’s skincare expertise with gentle, Riviera-calibrated rituals, and relaxation areas open to leafy terraces where the horizon remains a constant companion.

Outdoors, the heated saltwater pool—reimagined by landscape designer Marco Bay—mirrors the green-blue of the Ligurian Sea and is edged by pink and white marble. A fitness studio, a hillside tennis court overlooking the water, and tailored excursions (from coastal hikes to kayaking) round out a wellness offering that privileges fresh air and unhurried movement.

Villa Beatrice & Sense of Place

For privacy at grand scale, Villa Beatrice—a restored seaside palazzo a short stroll away—offers a five-suite residence with arched windows, preserved frescoes, and panoramic terraces cascading toward the water. Styled with period references and finished with MBDS’s light touch, it extends the hotel’s language into a rarified home setting where summer living takes center stage.

Location remains a trump card: perched above the village yet connected to its rhythms, the property captures Portofino’s duality—lively on the piazzetta, serene in the hills. Days drift between terrace breakfasts, boat trips along the coast, and unhurried evenings where the scent of jasmine lingers on the stairs.

Verdict

This is a thoughtful renewal of a Riviera icon. By amplifying craftsmanship, clarifying the guest journey, and adding contemporary touchpoints—from Baratta Sedici to the Dior Spa Splendido and Villa Beatrice—the accommodation feels both new and deeply familiar. It remains a place for views and rituals: the first espresso on a sunlit balcony, the last glance at the harbor lights, and the soft cadence of a hillside retreat that understands why people return.