Assouline Splendido: The Radiant Stage of Portofino

A charming seaside village, Portofino has remained an enduring favorite among the jet set for over a century. Its secret? Splendido. Opened in 1902, this legendary hotel has welcomed icons such as Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, Elizabeth Taylor, Denzel Washington, Madonna, and Beyoncé, to name just a few. Despite its high-profile guest list, Portofino is the epitome of la dolce vita, a spirit mirrored in the hotel itself. Once a sixteenth-century Benedictine monastery, Splendido has been beautifully updated for the twenty-first century by Belmond. 

More recently, interior designer Martin Brudnizki and landscape designer Marco Bay renovated the hotel reviving its rich heritage. Whether it is the opening of the vibrant Bar Baratta Sedici or the addition of the first permanent Dior Spa in Italy, Belmond has ensured a new era of splendor at Splendido.

Splendido: The Radiant Stage of Portofino is organized in thematic chapters, the many facets of the property come to life through Matthew Bell’s informative prose and the sumptuous imagery by various photographers. Delve into the noble tale of an old woman who saved Portofino from ruin. Get lost in the bucolic charm of La Portofinese Eco-Farm. Discover the majestic Villa Beatrice, where no detail is overlooked. As part of a new series in collaboration with Belmond, this book offers an exclusive glimpse into one of the world’s most luxurious and storied properties—an invitation to explore the timeless allure of Splendido and the magic of Portofino.