Hotel Splendido
Salita Baratta 16, 16034 Portofino, Genoa, Italy
The Story
From monastery to movie-star magnet
The Splendido rose from the ashes of a former 16th-century monastery to become one of the world's most celebrated hotels. The building was bought in 1901 and reopened as a hotel in 1902, and by the middle of the century it had become the place Hollywood went when it wanted the Italian Riviera at its most glamorous. It played host to Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Ava Gardner, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Charlie Chaplin was a regular. Grace Kelly adored the place. Maria Callas came here to be dramatic in more beautiful surroundings than La Scala could offer. And Frank Sinatra liked Portofino so much there's a lookout point on Mount Portofino named after him, which feels about right for a man who expected the landscape itself to pay tribute.
" A heated saltwater pool, lush gardens, bright orange umbrellas, and that terracotta-and-azure colour palette — you half expect to see Bogart slouched in a deckchair while Bacall pretends not to notice him from behind enormous sunglasses.
The Barefoot Contessa and a wisteria-clad proposal
Bogie, Bacall and Ava Gardner stayed here during filming for The Barefoot Contessa, the whimsical, over-the-top drama in which Gardner plays a flamenco dancer propelled towards stardom. Gardner fell in love with Portofino and returned often on private holidays; the Splendido was her hotel of choice. Taylor and Burton, meanwhile, used the hotel as an escape from the paparazzi during the height of their much-publicised affair, arriving on the yacht Kalizma and returning many times afterwards. It's rumoured that Burton proposed to Elizabeth on the wisteria-clad terrace — and if you're going to propose anywhere, a wisteria-clad terrace overlooking Portofino harbour is a fairly solid choice.
Still splendid
The hotel was renovated in 2025 but has kept its character firmly intact, and it now holds two Michelin keys. La Terrazza, the main restaurant, serves a spaghetti dish called "Homage to Elizabeth Taylor." The sister property, Splendido Mare, down by the harbour, even has a suite named after Ava Gardner, complete with a sprawling waterfront terrace and lemon trees, which feels entirely appropriate. This is not a budget swim. Rooms at the Splendido now start above $2,000 per night in high season, which is rather the point — it is, as the stars who came here would tell you, the luxury end of the Riviera. The hotel is seasonal, so book well in advance.
Signature Experiences
The heated saltwater pool
A heated saltwater pool surrounded by lush gardens and sensational views of the Italian Riviera, with bright orange umbrellas and a terracotta-and-azure colour palette. It was a magnet for celebrities in the 1950s and 60s and is the image most people picture when they think of old Hollywood glamour on the Ligurian coast.
La Terrazza restaurant
The hotel's main restaurant, where you can eat fresh pasta while looking down at the yachts bobbing in the harbour below — one of the most romantic dining spots in the Mediterranean. It now serves a spaghetti dish called "Homage to Elizabeth Taylor."
The wisteria-clad terrace
The terrace overlooking Portofino harbour where, it is rumoured, Richard Burton proposed to Elizabeth Taylor.
Famous Connections
Who Came Here
As Seen In
Plan Your Visit
Good to Know
- How to Book: Book direct at belmond.com or by phone on +39 0185 267801. The hotel is seasonal and books up well in advance, so reserve early. If the Splendido is beyond reach, its harbourside sister hotel Splendido Mare offers more affordable rooms and shares some of the same Belmond polish.
- Best Time: The hotel is open seasonally, roughly spring to early November. Late spring and early autumn are quieter than the high-summer crush.
- Accessibility: Contact the hotel directly to confirm accessible rooms and step-free access, particularly given the property's hillside setting.
- Tip: Order the "Homage to Elizabeth Taylor" spaghetti at La Terrazza and, if you are feeling indulgent, a chocolate martini (Liz's favourite drink) as you gaze out over the harbour. One thing to note: Portofino has introduced a selfie ban in certain areas, so you may need to admire the view with your actual eyes, like some kind of 1950s film star.
Related Reading
From the archives
Swimming Pools of Classic Hollywood
From the Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle to the cabanas of the Beverly Hills Hotel, discover the iconic swimming pools where Hollywood's elite lounged, schemed, and made history.
26 Old Hollywood Hotels You Can Still Book Today
26 hotels with genuine old Hollywood pedigree — from the Beverly Hills Hotel to Raffles Singapore — still taking reservations, still serving martinis, and still trading on golden-age glamour.
Nearby
Continue the tour