Perched high on the ring of hills that embrace Portofino’s colourful harbour, Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, has long been a highlight of the Ligurian coast. A pastel-hued hideaway for stars, romantics, and royals (Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor, was the first to sign Splendido’s guest book in 1901), it has drawn the well-heeled since the 1950s. Now, after a multi-year renovation, the grande dame of the Italian coast has returned sparkling like new, yet honouring its golden-age charm.
Repeat visitors will undoubtedly notice that the enchanting terraced gardens and iconic 70s pool remain (albeit with a chic visual overhaul), while new additions include a permanent Dior spa and a lounge bar, adding to Splendido’s already impressive culinary credentials.
A New Glamorous Face For The Italian Riviera & The First Dior Spa in Italy
Belmond’s reopening brings rooms reimagined with antiques, marble-lined bathrooms, and soft Mediterranean tones. The suites are, of course, divine, each one outfitted with subtly different decor and either iron-railed balconies or terraces that open to those yacht-dotted, swoon-inducing sea views that make Portofino so very special.
A standout feature is Italy’s first permanent Dior Spa, a beautifully chic retreat that brings a touch of Parisian elegance to the sunny Ligurian coast. Treatments are elevated by a captivating setting nestled in the hotel’s gardens and on terraces overlooking the technicolor bay. There’s also a tennis court, a 24-hour gym, and personal trainers available on request.
La Terrazza restaurant lives up to its name with its view-laden terrace where guests gather to enjoy expertly crafted pastas and freshly caught Ligurian seafood, while the recently opened Baratta Sedici offers a distinctly attractive space for Portofinese flavours to shine.
Perched as it is overlooking one of Italy’s most iconic harbours, Splendido oozes romance, and there’s no better way to enjoy it than a private dinner on an al fresco terrace in the gardens. Eat with candlelight at sunset to watch the water take on a golden glow, soundtracked by the clinking of pre-dinner spritzes and the boats bobbing below.
The Price: Garden-View Double Room with Breakfast at Splendido
If you’re after a cosy stay with a touch of Riviera charm, you can book one of Splendido’s Double Rooms in the peaceful Tennis Wing. These rooms are designed for two, with the option of a king bed or two twins, and they range in size from 22 to 39 square metres. You’ll get views of the lush gardens, a beautifully styled marble bathroom, and all the comforts you’d expect from a Belmond property.
The hotel includes a generous breakfast each morning, so you can ease into your day with fresh fruit, pastries, and Italian coffee.
Price for one night, including breakfast and taxes: approx $3,585.
To browse or book one of Splendido’s chic Ligurian rooms, take a look here. You can also explore Italy’s natural parks that we love.
What to Do at Splendido: Slow Living with a Side of Glamour
Start your day with breakfast overlooking the bay—fresh fruit, flaky pastries, and espresso that hits just right. For dinner, head to La Terrazza for seafood pasta and local Ligurian wine, or grab a cocktail at Baratta Sedici and watch the sun set over Portofino’s famous harbor. Want something extra special? Ask about private garden dinners lit by candlelight and paired with seasonal dishes.
Remember, this hotel has been a playground for Hollywood stars and European royalty since the 1950s. Grace Kelly, Winston Churchill, Elizabeth Taylor—they all stayed here. And once you settle into your sun lounger beside the freshly renovated pool or dine al fresco at La Terrazza, you’ll get why.
Not sure what to wear?
Think effortless Italian coastal glam: linen kaftans, silk shirts, and bold accessories. This is where elegance meets sprezzatura—that perfectly imperfect style that looks like you didn’t try (but definitely did). Why not to play along?
Settle Into the Art of Slow Watching
One of the coolest new trends in travel isn’t about where you go, but how you watch. Enter “slow watching“—long-form, ambient films that take you on a peaceful, screen-based journey. Belmond’s Long Shots series is a perfect example. You can watch an hour-long train ride through the Scottish Highlands, a lazy sunrise in Portofino, or birdsong drifting through Rio’s palm trees—all in glorious 4K, and all without ever leaving your hotel room.
So if you’re staying at Splendido, this is the perfect excuse to unplug. Put on a Long Shot, sip something sparkling from your minibar, and let the Riviera breeze roll in through the open balcony doors. It’s the digital equivalent of deep breathing—and yes, it’s totally OK to fall asleep to it.
Maybe a Massage at the Dior Spa Splendido?
Slow travel isn’t just about what you see—it’s about how you feel. That’s where the Dior Spa Splendido comes in. Tucked into the hotel’s terraced gardens, this dreamy wellness space offers everything from lymphatic drainage and muscle recovery massages to facial treatments that combine Dior skincare with high-tech touches like LED light therapy and hydra-dermabrasion.
If you’re not sure where to start, try the 90-minute Splendidior Ritual (€450). It includes a gem-guided massage and a luxurious facial with rock crystal—seriously, it’s like a spiritual reset. Want something a little quicker? Add a 30-minute Foot Relief treatment (€140) or go for a New Look body sculpting massage (€280) to leave you feeling refreshed and toned.
What About Taking the Baronessa Tour?
If you’re staying in the Baronessa Suite, you’ll be invited on a special one-hour tour that follows the footsteps of Baronessa Jeannie von Mumm—the woman who literally saved Portofino from destruction during WWII. The tour winds through the village, past her former home at Castello San Giorgio, and ends with a cocktail at DaV Mare by the water.
It’s one of those little experiences that makes a stay at Splendido more than just a vacation—it’s a brush with living history.
Extend your vacation in Italy with a trip to a Venetian palazzo reimagined by Belgian fashion designer Dries Van Noten.
Here is an overview of the Britannic, a luxury train by Belmond.
