Best hotels in Portofino

A tiny Ligurian fishing village with a harbour full of superyachts and pastel buildings, Portofino is a postcard come to life. And looking down on all of it from a terraced hillside is Splendido, a 16th-century Benedictine monastery that the monks abandoned after one too many Saracen pirate raids. In the 1800s, Baron Baratta turned it into his summer pile, in 1902 it became a hotel, and, since then, it's been the Riviera's hideout for Hollywood, European royalty and everyone in between. A multi-year refresh by designer Martin Brudnizki came to an end in 2025, and today, the hotel is light, fresh, and irresistibly glamorous.

Portofino (all 500 metres of it!) has charmed royals and Hollywood stars since the 1950s – and the famous Eight Hotel charms just as many today! Set inside a renovated Ligurian townhouse on a sleepy side street, the boutique hideaway is a lovely alternative to the grand dames on the water: small, quiet and just a couple of minutes' stroll from the harbour's colourful chaos. Breakfast happens under the chestnut trees in the private garden, there's a heated jacuzzi on the deck for aperitivo hour, and a complimentary shuttle will whisk you down to the emerald cove of Paraggi when the beach calls.

Nestled within the most exclusive bay along the Ligurian Riviera, this completely renovated 19th-century villa provides the perfect blend of intimacy and luxury. Your arrival sets the tone immediately – cool blue interiors, glittering chandeliers, and an overwhelming sense that you've discovered Italy's best-kept secret. With just twelve exquisite rooms, the atmosphere is delightfully refined yet discreet, allowing each guest to feel like the protagonist in their own Italian riviera story. Perhaps the most enviable feature is the hotel's private beach, where the gentle lapping of the Mediterranean provides a soothing soundtrack to lazy afternoons on pristine loungers. And should Portofino's charms beckon, the complimentary shuttle whisks you there in a mere five minutes – though we'd forgive you for finding it difficult to leave this beachfront haven.

Nestled among the charming carruggi and pastel-hued houses that make this stretch of the Italian Riviera so iconic, this 19th-century building has been transformed into something rather special. The historic exterior gives little hint of what awaits inside – a bold, contemporary design statement where striking black and white contrasts create spaces that are both dramatic and inviting. You'll find yourself completely immersed in an atmosphere that somehow manages to be both soothing and stimulating, with clean architectural lines softened by warm Italian hospitality. Just steps from crystal-clear waters, it's the perfect launchpad for exploring the treasures of the Tigullio Gulf while providing a stylish retreat when you're ready to escape the Mediterranean sunshine.