Portofino sits on the Ligurian coast in Italy, a little cove of fishing village that has gone from sleepy to super-rich. It is a place of luxury, but also of peace. The Portofino boutique hotels that cater to the most exclusive guests are some of the best in the area, and we turn to them now to plan your next luxury stay.
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These boutique hotels reflect that air of elegance and unique charm for which Portofino is so rightly famous. There is something here for everybody, whether your taste is for historic grandeur, sleek modern glamour, or vertiginous views over the sea.
1. Splendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel
Splendido Mare effortlessly combines heritage with modernity; it is located in the heart of Portofino's Piazzetta Square. Every accommodation at this five-star hotel overlooks the stunning Ligurian Sea. More regal treatment than you're used to—these people know how to take care of you.
2. Eight Hotel Portofino
A sanctuary of sumptuous luxury, the Eight Hotel Portofino is only 200 meters from the lively center of Portofino. Indulge with a bottle of wine while you soak in the outdoor hot tub, which is tucked away between the harbor and rugged mountains.
3. Hotel Piccolo Portofino
With its own beach and rooms overlooking the sea, the Hotel Piccolo Portofino combines old-world history with new-world luxury. It is situated on the beach and is housed in an attractively renovated ancient villa.
4. Villa Gelsomino Exclusive House
Villa Gelsomino, nestled in the center of Santa Margherita Ligure (close to Portofino and also in the Liguria region of Italy), offers room service, a hot tub and beautifully furnished rooms with all the contemporary comforts. It is perfectly located near the beach and cultural attractions, for both the intrepid and the restful.
5. Hotel Helios
Several rooms at the Hotel Helios in Santa Margherita Ligure have direct views of the water. The hotel's own beach and saltwater pool are its main draws, while many rooms also include balconies or patios.
6. Mediterraneo Emotional Hotel & Spa
You will find Mediterraneo Emotional Hotel Spa embedded in a 19th-century building at a walking distance to the beach. Lovely rooms offer balconies surrounded by tropical gardens. Within the hotel, the wellness center with the spa, a steam bath, a sauna and massage rooms is quite a hotspot for relaxing.
7. Hotel Sant'Andrea
On a private lane from the center of Santa Margherita Ligure, where the sea shimmers in the distance, Hotel Sant’Andrea is a quiet enclave tucked into an Art Nouveau villa. It is close enough to the sea and the town square to be in touch with the pulse of things, yet removed enough to be quiet. It is outfitted with the expected conveniences of a hotel and offers personalized service to all who enter.
8. Hotel Metropole
Set high above the Ligurian Sea in Santa Margherita Ligure is the Hotel Metropole, with all the old-world glamour of a Grand Hotel yet equipped with every modern luxury. Guests are offered the use of a large park, an outdoor swimming pool and private beach, and can also take advantage of the hi-tech wellness center, with its heated, saltwater pool and different treatments designed to promote their health and wellbeing.
Enjoying the Surroundings
But don’t expect to stay put and do nothing, because if you venture just a little way from the confines of Portofino and its neighboring village of Santa Margherita Ligure, you’ll find yourself in the mind-blowing surrounds of walking heaven. From the genteel, cobbled lanes and colorful buildings of Portofino to the lively beach action and cultural hotspots of Santa Margherita Ligure, the area is veritable paradise for those who like to wander. Dining options stretch from traditional Ligurian at Vistamare to the more international menus available in the local hotel restaurants.
Exploring Local Attractions and Activities
Drop in on Portofino and stay in one of its boutique hotels, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by activities and sights that are all about the high life.
1. Outdoor Adventures
With the Portofino Natural Park just around the corner it’s the perfect place from which to set off on an adventure. There are a number of paths to choose from: some wind through the middle of the park and then emerge on to the promontory, giving excellent views of the coast and the interior; others follow the coastline, providing a different but no less breathtaking perspective on the surrounding terrain. These trails are a paradise for hikers.
2. Cultural Exploration
Culture vultures and history lovers should make time for the Castello Brown museum atop a hill overlooking Portofino harbor, which provides not just a glimpse into the area’s past, but also views across the town and sea. And if you’re up for a little hike or boat trip, the Abbey of San Fruttuoso awaits. The striking medieval abbey and the eerie underwater statue of Christ of the Abyss that lies offshore are more than enough distraction for a day trip.
3. Shopping and Dining
The port of Portofino is the meeting place for the well-heeled and fashionable. You may find restaurants with water views serving fresh seafood and authentic local meals, as well as shops selling everything from haute couture to real handmade Ligurian crafts, all around the port. The views of the Ligurian Sea are definitely as good as the food.
4. Relaxation by the Sea
Sailing and yachting conditions are excellent, and for those who do dive a little deeper, the sheltered bays around Portofino offer excellent snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities, with a menagerie of brightly colored marine life and azure waters that make every dive an experience to remember.
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