Splendido reopens: Inside Portofino’s old-world charm in luxury hospitality

When History Whispers Your Name

Standing in Martin Brudnizki's reimagined lobby, I'm transported back to those afternoons spent in Milan's private salons, where every surface tells a story and every detail serves a purpose beyond mere aesthetics. The botanical frescoes here remind me of those hidden courtyards in Como's historic villas—the ones you only discover when you're invited by someone who truly belongs. The Carrara marble speaks the same language as the Duomo's spires, while the Graniglia alla Genovese feels as authentically Ligurian as morning espresso in a village café.

But here's what strikes me most: unlike some renovations that feel like museum pieces (I'm thinking of a certain Swiss château that shall remain nameless), Splendido pulses with life. This monastery-turned-sanctuary hasn't forgotten how to seduce.

The Baronessa Suite: Where Dreams Take Residence

Having spent countless nights in Europe's refined accommodations, I can tell you that truly exceptional suites are rare creatures. The Baronessa Suite doesn't just offer luxury—it offers transformation. Those pink touches and floral motifs create an atmosphere so distinctly feminine yet sophisticated that I found myself wondering if this is how Italian countesses felt in their private chambers, surrounded by treasures collected from grand tours.

The shell-shaped wall sconces? Pure poetry. They remind me of those unexpected details in Milanese palazzos—the kind of whimsical touches that separate old money from new, authentic charm from calculated design.

Baratta Sedici: My New Obsession

I've sipped mocktail on Como's floating terraces, enjoyed aperitivo in Milan's rooftop lounges, but Baratta Sedici has claimed a permanent place in my heart. The hand-painted botanical murals create an intimacy I haven't felt since discovering that secret bar behind Lucerne's antique bookshop—you know, the one where locals go to escape tourists.

Their La Vela cocktail captures everything I adore about Italian aperitivo culture—that perfect balance of bitter and sweet, tradition and innovation. It's what a sunset should taste like if sunsets came in crystal glasses.

Elegance in Every Swing: Tennis with a View at Splendido

As someone who’s recently dabbled into tennis, Splendido’s hilltop tennis court offers expecting charm. Perched high above the Ligurian coastline, the court offers not just a game, but a theatre of grace, framed by cypress trees and the endless shimmer of the Mediterranean.

Each serve echoes into the horizon, accompanied by the scent of sea breeze and jasmine from the Portofino Natural Park below. Here, tennis isn’t a sport—it’s a ritual. One where focus and finesse meet the majesty of the Italian Riviera. Lake Como may have its grandeur, but here at Splendido, the court becomes a sanctuary—where leisure wears linen and even backhands feel poetic.

Villa Beatrice: The Ultimate Love Letter

When Villa Beatrice debuts on 29 June, it will redefine what we mean by exclusive accommodation. I've stayed in private villas throughout Northern Italy, but this Gothic Revival palazzo promises something extraordinary—the kind of privacy that allows you to live like Italian nobility, if only for a moment.

The preserved frescoes and exterior murals speak to a level of authenticity that's becoming increasingly rare. This isn't luxury manufactured for tourists; this is luxury that has simply always existed, waiting for the right guests to appreciate it.

Why Splendido Matters

After years of traveling Europe's secluded circuits, I've learned that true luxury isn't about the thread count or the champagne vintage—it's about belonging. Splendido understands this. It doesn't just accommodate guests; it embraces them into a story that began centuries ago and will continue long after we've departed.

This is where sophistication lives, where the Mediterranean doesn't just provide a backdrop but becomes a co-conspirator in creating memories that will outlast any photograph.

Welcome back, Splendido. We've missed you terribly.