In Portofino, Italy, Treat Yourself to the Suite Life at Hotel Splendido

Belmond Hotel Splendido sits perched upon a hill in Portofino with its elegant view of the world in the Italian Riviera. From the many stars above a moonlit ocean to swaying palms overlooking the negative edge pool, it oozes life as “la dolce vita”. The moment you step on to this amazing property you will fall in love. I already have two lovers, but I just couldn’t help myself the moment I returned to Portofino. Even though I had seen this beautiful place before, I kept longing to come back.

The stunningly perfect Portofino stole my heart. She is what every tiny village in Italy dreams to be. She is elegant and grand. She makes you feel as if you won the lottery! Each step, as I walk down to the village center has an amazing view. Slowly I make my way down from the perfectly situated Hotel Splendido to walk amongst the glamour and the glitz!

I peek around the corner of the houses and there she is, in all her glory.

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“ Quality is remembered after price is forgotten.”  Mary Kay Ash

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Nothing, and I mean nothing, makes me feel the way Portofino makes me feel!  Belmond Hotel Splendido is just one of those places where you feel lucky to have even experienced it.

Portofino, Italy – Hotel Splendido

I was so excited to stay at this 16th-century mansion, a former monastery, now known as Belmond Hotel Splendido. I kept pinching myself to believe it could be true! This monastery, in the millionaire’s playground, had opened up its doors to host me in one of its suites, and I was happy to oblige. Historically, the building itself was a Benedictine monastery, later converted into a private villa and then transformed into the now renowned luxury hotel in 1901.

Belmond Hotel Splendido

This is one of those extra special times when it is appropriate to make a splurge.  As a branded “Smart Luxury” travel writer and blogger, I am always trying to get an amazing experience, a luxury experience, at the sweet end of the price deal. While using your miles to fly yourself halfway across the world to Europe for very little, you should have plenty of stash left over to make this experience happen for you and your lover.  The way I see it, life is about creating extraordinary experiences, so splurge on this one and treat yourself to this experience, as it is worth it.

Landing in Genoa, it is just a short 40 minute Mercedes Benz drive to Belmond Hotel Splendido in Portofino, which is the lap of luxury. You will be in one of the most famous hotels in the world, where the rich boys play and where the old money goes to be noticed, refreshed, rubbed, coddled and dined.  There will be nothing to be disappointed in. Everything will be as you wish. It really is as if you have died and gone to heaven.

Belmond Hotel Splendido

I’ll start out by showing you the gorgeous penthouse suite I stayed in on this trip.  My penthouse suite was #422 at the Hotel Splendido Portofino. Here is the entryway, with the kitchenette and small table off to the side.

And here is the main living area:

Belmond Hotel Splendido – Service

The service here was like magic. Only moments passed after my arrival when goodies were delivered to the room, everything from flower arrangements and gifts of chocolates and champagne to fruit bowls, wrapped gifts, and fresh still water.

One after another, they came and they just kept coming.  The turndown service is great too, so don’t pass that up.

Eyes wide and filled with joy, I just couldn’t believe my fine fortune to stay in such a fabulous suite, which was really an apartment with the perfect décor and expensive vases and accessories dolled out in a white and turquoise motif.  And this was just the living area.

Belmond Hotel Splendido – Amenities

On to the master closet, which was massive and across from it was the rain water shower with tiny black and silver mosaic tiles, and just a couple of gold tiles that would glimmer in the light as I showered. It had an enormous soaking tub and a vanity for two with all the trimmings one would need to get all dolled up and make it to an eight-course dinner or a wedding.  The toiletries were BVLGARI, in mid-sized portions (glee!) with Molton Brown facial wash and large, medium and small round soaps all wrapped like tiny gifts for our pleasure.

Then it is on to the turquoise and white bedroom with a king-sized bed facing one of the two viewing balconies.

Hotel Splendido Portofino – Feeling like James Bond

It had a shabby chic (French country) motif with a desk that had a special Hotel Splendido white and gold pen and desk writing set along with hand-painted postcards and writing paper featuring the half moon bay of Portofino.  Also, there was the most amazing James Bond features of a hidden television and with one button it appeared in front of your bed and a safe was hidden behind a Picasso-like painting!  Nothing about this stay or this suite was ordinary,  everything was over the top and out of this world.  If you are looking for a special place to splurge for a honeymoon, an anniversary, a family visit or just have the financial resources to come to Hotel Splendido, then you need to look no further.

This Belmond Hotel will outshine any experience that you have had thus far in the way of luxury accommodations and amenities.  They offer the use of their private boat for day excursions in the Mediterranean Sea to places like Santa Margherita, Camogli, and the Cinque Terre region.  They also have a kids clubs, dog massages, couple massages, wellness, fitness, yoga, tennis courts and a multitude of other amenities.  Just in case you want something very unusual, they also put on weddings (under the ocean at the Christ of the Abyss underwater statue, if you want!).

I cannot say enough about the Belmond Hotel Splendido. Everything from the views to the rooms, to the ambiance to the staff, they all were incredible.

The pool was immaculate and filled with warm sea water.

The hotel grounds were inviting with the terrace restaurant and bar overlooking the sea and gorgeous manicured gardens.

No other 5-star hotel compares to this one.  And don’t even get me started to talk about the food at La Terrazza! After dinner each night, there was a piano player and singer of typical Italian ballads, as well, so you can dance the night away.

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“Take a lover who looks at you like maybe you are magic.”

—Frida Kahlo

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Belmond Hotel Splendido, I think you are magic!  Goodnight and farewell until we meet again!

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Portofino Place to Stay:

Where:  Hotel Splendido, a Belmond Hotel in Portofino, Italy.  They also have a sister property in Portofino village proper called Splendido Mare.

When:  Opens March 1^st to Oct 31, otherwise closed

Trip Advisor Rating: #1, for a reason

Price Range:  637,00 EUR per night and up (splurge)

Rooms:  There are 64 rooms, including 34 suites

Airport info:  Fly into Genoa, Milan or Rome and get transportation to the hotel

RECOMMENDED READING:

Top Secrets of Rome Revealed

From Rome to Positano, Italy

Furore, Italy: The Most Beautiful Place on Earth

A Voyage Thru Time: Things to do in Venice, Italy

Portofino, Italy: At least Once in a Lifetime

Disclosure:  My stay at the sparkling of a gem Hotel Splendido was courtesy of the hotel itself, but the opinions expressed here are entirely my own.