Splendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel: Festen-designed nautical village haven directly on Portofino Piazzetta with DaV Mare and harbor views

Reigning gracefully on the iconic cobbled Piazzetta directly overlooking the pastel fishing harbor of Portofino, Liguria, Italy (just steps from luxury boutiques, mega-yachts, and the Ligurian Sea, 45 minutes from Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport), Splendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel opened as the Italian Riviera’s premier nautical village grand palace. Masterfully redesigned by celebrated Parisian design studio Festen Architecture, the 14-room luxury guesthouse captures the golden age of 1950s Portofino chic with custom nautical brass, walnut woodwork, and Loro Piana fabrics. Featuring the acclaimed dining institution DaV Mare (created in partnership with the legendary Three-Star Michelin Da Vittorio family), the lively Piazzetta cocktail terrace, full access to the heated saltwater pool and spa at sister property Hotel Splendido on the hillside, and private gozzo boat cruising, this property is Portofino’s ultimate luxury grand palace.

Arrival introduces travelers to unvarnished Italian Riviera glamour and harbor splendour: liveried porters greet guests at Portofino harbor before entering the intimate village lobby with terracotta tiles, nautical wood trim, and chilled Ligurian Vermentino wine. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke Portofino yachting, coastal, and culinary pursuits: walking directly across the Piazzetta to shop luxury flagships like Dior and Loro Piana (steps away), private cruising on the resort’s traditional mahogany gozzo boat along the dramatic cliffs of San Fruttuoso and Camogli (steps away from the harbor pier), taking the complimentary shuttle or scenic footpath up to sister hotel Splendido to swim in the heated panoramic saltwater pool, indulging in marine botanicals at the spa, enjoying aperitivos on the Piazzetta at DaV Mare Bar, and reserving dinner at DaV Mare.

Palace living balances active Riviera sailing with serene village elegance: guests enjoy full access to the wellness facilities of Hotel Splendido, featuring lush garden treatment suites, eucalyptus steam rooms, saunas, the panoramic saltwater pool, and therapies utilizing organic Ligurian olive oil, rosemary, and marine minerals. Dining is an extraordinary multi-star culinary summit: refined Ligurian seafood gastronomy at DaV Mare by the Da Vittorio team (featuring the iconic Paccheri alla Vittorio, red mullet tartare, and Italian Grand Crus), Piazzetta people-watching breakfasts, and sunset spritzes.

Accommodations comprise 14 bespoke rooms and luxury executive suites styled by Festen in rich walnut, pastel seafoam, and private furnished balconies framing the yachts on Portofino harbor ranging from 30 to 90 square metres. Each residence features plush king beds with custom linens, and marble bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs, embedded TV mirrors, and custom amenities.

Riviera connoisseurs, culinary enthusiasts, and luxury travelers seeking Portofino Piazzetta location, Da Vittorio dining, and Festen design in Italy should book Splendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel without hesitation. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 1,800 reviews and a 4.9 out of 5 on Google across 2,400 reviews.