Incomparable shades of pastel light glisten
over the calm Mediterranean waters of Portofino, creating ethereal reflections
of the multicolored buildings lining the wharf. Once a quiet Italian fishing
village, the beauty and charm of Portofino have attracted the rich and famous
in droves for decades. When they come, they clamor to stay at the exclusive and
opulent Hotel Splendido.
Location, Location, Location
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The sprawling, 69-room Hotel Splendido is isolated near the top
of Mount Portofino, overlooking Portofino harbor and the entrance to the
Mediterranean Sea. Lush terraced gardens and a backdrop of palm trees add to
the scenery, and many guests prefer to simply lounge by the enormous saltwater pool
and enjoy the hotel surroundings. Sibling hotel Splendido Mare is much closer
to the harbor and has only 16 rooms, but guests have access to the luxuries and
facilities of its bigger sister. A shuttle operates between the two hotels.
Both hotels are closed from the beginning of November to the beginning of
April.
Sleep Like a Movie Star
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A favorite haunt for old-school movie stars like Rex Harrison
and Elizabeth Taylor, Splendido now has a one-bedroom presidential suite with
four terraces overlooking Tigullio Gulf and the Portofino cove. The marble
bathroom is bigger than some New York apartments, and there is even a separate
junior suite that can be connected if you want to bring the kids or some
friends. Splendido Mare continues the movie star theme with the entire top
floor dedicated to the Ava Gardner suite. Both suites include wide-screen cable
TV with DVD player, CD system, fax, photocopier, printer and Wi-Fi.
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Bring the Kids
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Even at the mind-numbingly expensive Hotel Splendido, kids are
treated to a special three-day package. Children get a double room, daily
buffet breakfast, complimentary non-alcoholic drinks from their own minibar,
loads of games and toys, and a children's pizza-making class. And the parents
are not forgotten: The package includes four hours of baby-sitting and a
grown-up gourmet dinner.
Relax Your Body
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Stretch under the shade of a lemon tree for an outdoor massage
or retreat to the indoor spa for intensive facial and body treatments for both
men and women. Other treatments include couples massage, hair styling, manicure
and pedicure, and special-occasion makeup for a night on the town.
Dine Like Royalty
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Whether you choose to see a pizza made from scratch before your
eyes by the pool or sup on sauteed local prawns with pumpkin and asparagus or
spaghetti alla Elizabeth Taylor at the more formal La Terazza dining room, the
cuisine at Hotel Splendido will not disappoint. Add to your stay a course on
locally grown herbs that includes an excursion to Mount Portofino with a
botanical guide, and you can display your new cooking expertise when you return
home.
