Belmond Hotel Splendido Mare

Belmond Hotel Splendido Mare is an intimate, 14-room luxury boutique hotel situated directly on Portofino's vibrant piazzetta. Guests consistently praise its exceptional harbour views, highly personalised service, and thoughtful touches like welcome champagne and complimentary boat tours. While highly celebrated, some reviewers note compact room sizes and premium pricing.

Best for

• Romantic couples — The hotel's intimate scale, scenic harbour views, and thoughtful personal touches create a highly romantic atmosphere.
• Service-oriented travellers — Guests receive highly attentive, personalised care from dedicated staff members who frequently arrange custom surprises and logistics.

Not ideal for

• Travellers requiring space — Many of the rooms are compact with limited living space compared to larger luxury properties.
• Guests with limited mobility — The central piazzetta location involves navigating steps, narrow streets, and cobbled surfaces with limited car access.

Rating breakdown

• ALocation — Unbeatable position directly on Portofino's piazzetta with immediate harbour views and walkability.
• A-Rooms — Clean and beautifully decorated, though many rooms are compact and some feature minor lighting or sanitary quirks.
• AService — Outstanding and highly personalised service with staff frequently praised by name for going above and beyond.
• A-Dining — High-quality breakfast and Ligurian dishes at DaV Mare, though some guests found the pricing premium.
• B+Facilities — Features a harbour-side terrace and complimentary boat transfers, though there is no large pool or gym on-site.
• B+Value — While the experience is highly memorable, the premium pricing for food, drinks, and services felt steep to some.

Verdict

Belmond Hotel Splendido Mare is an excellent choice for travellers seeking an intimate, service-driven luxury stay right on Portofino's harbour. It is less suited for budget-conscious travellers or those requiring expansive modern suites and easy car access.