Latest news with #luxuryhotel
The Independent
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Hotel El Palace, Barcelona, review
As far as storied Barcelona addresses go, Hotel El Palace is right up there, having welcomed everybody from royals to rock and roll musicians through its grand Baroque-style entrance. It is home to a wonderful spa and a leafy rooftop pool, restaurant and outdoor cinema Location Situated in the Eixample District, it is nearby – on foot or via metro – to Gaudí's La Pedrera and Casa Batlló, as well as the Catalonian capital's famous market: La Boquería. It's a picturesque 25-minute stroll to the Sagrada Familia. Plus, you can hop on a metro and get to the beach in under half an hour. If shopping is your priority, high-end boutiques and high street stores sit just over 10 minutes away on Passeig de Gràcia. Plus, if you want to go slightly further afield to the picturesque El Born or Gothic neighbourhoods, taxis stop conveniently right outside the hotel's doors. The vibe Prior to its rebrand in 2005, Hotel El Palace, which first opened its doors in 1919, used to be The Ritz, Barcelona – and the hotel still bursts with the brand's classic opulence and glamour. Top-hatted doormen greet guests at the grand entrance, which is decorated with dark red scarlet curtains. The key to each room isn't a digitalised card but a weighty old-style key – complete with a large tassel – that you can leave at reception with the welcoming concierge when you head out to explore. Furnishings are unashamedly grand, with humongous chandeliers hanging in the 'hall', which serves as a walkway through the building and a luxurious bar. This is not to say El Palace is stuffy – this is the place where Dalí famously once had a horse sent up to his room. Royals and rock and roll musicians have spent the night here and, as such, the hotel has remained true to its affluent roots as well as moving with modern times. Service Nothing, absolutely nothing, is too much trouble for the staff at El Palace. They will print your boarding passes, get you tickets for shows, bring you yoga mats to work out in your room at 7am, and – if you're in a suite that comes complete with an actual coat and tails-wearing butler – unpack your suitcase for you. What's especially nice, though (other than being treated like an A-list celebrity) is the thoughtfulness of the staff. They're observant in a way that feels supremely caring and will do things like leave hotel-branded bookmarks on top of your books at turn down, on which the story of how in 1987 Freddie Mercury sat down at the hotel's piano and began to improvise a song that would later become Exercises in Free Love with his collaborator Montserrat Caballé. Bed and Bath The rooms at El Palace feel nothing less than regal. Decor-wise, they're more restrained than the rest of the hotel – lots of cream and ivory – than the hotel's ornate communal spaces, which ensures a feeling of calm. Throughout, comfort is king. The beds are generously large and endlessly comfortable. All rooms come with desks, lounge areas and rainfall showers, with most also having double sinks. The hotel's six Art Suites, each inspired by one of the hotel's famous regulars, come complete with a Roman bath-inspired mosaic shower first installed in 1919 and have their own living rooms. The Joan Miró suite – named after one of the city's most famous Catalan painters, sculptors and ceramists – comes with coffee table art tomes, as well as the hotel's vibrant and lengthy history. Complimentary water is provided in all the rooms. There's significant wardrobe space, a TV expertly hidden in a gold Baroque frame, and Nespresso machines, tea bags and fluffy white robes provided. Food and drink Each day starts with a breakfast buffet you may as well call a banquet in the hotel's El Jardín restaurant. Full English classics, fresh pastries, fresh juices, a selection of cheese and meats are all available in a picturesque, palm-house-type setting. At Amar restaurant, expect fresh seafood from head chef Rafa Zafra, live music, and mouth-watering cocktails in good company; Steven Spielberg, Bruce Springsteen and Barack Obama have all dined here. Or, if you're looking for something a little more relaxed, head up to the hotel's picturesque Rooftop Garden for oysters, tzatziki salad, tuna tartare, and a selection of salads, while looking out over 360-degree views of the city. A bottle of Cava disappears quickly when you're chatting up here. Facilities On the rooftop, there's a film club throughout the warmer months. Watching Hugh Grant profess his love to Andie MacDowell in Four Weddings and a Funeral while sipping on cocktails and watching the sunset over the distant Montserrat hills is the perfect low-key evening activity. El Palace's gym is small for a hotel of its size, with no windows and little space to do mat workouts like yoga or pilates. However, the rooms are so generous that it's possible to work out in your room and concierge staff will happily bring mats to your room if required. The spa is lovely, but also little, with three treatment rooms and a Tamazcal room, which is essentially a Mayan twist on a stone sauna. The upstairs pool, meanwhile, offers panoramic views and luxuriously plump sun loungers where you can enjoy oysters and champagne if you're feeling flush. Disability access Two suites at El Palace have full disabled access, while another two are semi-adapted. The pool is also accessible. Pet policy Dogs are allowed at El Palace, with pooches greeted on arrival with their own bed, water bowl, toy and Lily's Kitchen organic treats. Cats and other domestic animals aren't allowed, however, and only one dog is allowed per room for a €75 (£64) per day supplement charge. Check in/check out Check in at Hotel El Palace Barcelona is from 3pm and check out is until 12pm. Family friendly Children under 12 can stay for free, and kids are provided with a welcome kit on arrival that includes biscuits, juice and colouring books. Extra beds for children are €100 (£89), with connecting rooms available for families. Breakfast is free for those aged four and under. At a glance Best thing: The welcoming staff and luxurious yet homely atmosphere. Worst thing: The gym being a touch on the small side. Right for: Those who like their opulence with a side of cultural history. Not right for: Anyone on a budget. Instagram from: The open air cinema at sunset or the luxurious entrance hall.
The Independent
16 hours ago
- The Independent
Nobu Hotel, Barcelona review
Often cited as the catalyst for the transformation of Barcelona's Sants neighbourhood, Nobu Barcelona sits amongst the vermouth bars and the homes of young, hip Barceloneses, offering a phenomenal restaurant, free yoga classes for guests, a spa and rooftop bar with nightly DJ sessions. Location Nobu Hotel, Barcelona is located in the residential area of Sants. While the neighbourhood might only be a 10-minute metro ride from the centre of the city, it wasn't always what you'd describe as cool. Its large railway station – the main terminus in the Catalonian capital – gave the location the vibe of an airport departure lounge: transient, liminal. That is, until Nobu arrived in 2019 and a switch-up ensued. Inarguably sleek, stylish and full of people you swear you recognise from Instagram, the luxury hotel 's arrival coincided with Sants' glow-up, which is now home to fashionable young Barceloneses, who've made the area their home thanks to its vermouth bars, community feel and easy access to transport links. Ideally located for nipping into central to see the main tourist attractions, or jumping on a train to escape the city and explore further afield areas like Sitges or Girona for a day trip, Sants is also home to a lively food market, as well as Parc l'Escorxador – where the Joan Miró sculpture Dona i Ocell looms. The vibe The hospitality group behind Nobu's hotels and restaurants views itself as 'place-makers,' actively selecting locations in areas they believe could use revitalisation. As such, the hotel is inside a former 1970s office block. To put it bluntly, it's ugly from the outside. But the entrance – inspired by a Japanese Shinto Temple gate – offers a zap of zen as soon as you step over the threshold. As you might expect, the hotel's interior design is heavy on Japanese influence mixed with artwork by Gaudí to give a nod to its host city. Throughout the 23-story building, the views over Barcelona are gorgeous and panoramic, with the city's highest rooftop pool and lounge perched on the top floor. 'Life's all about balance' is the hotel's ethos, so rooftop DJ sets take place mere hours after complimentary guest yoga classes. It's an undoubtedly fun place to grab a drink, even if you're not staying the night. Service The service here is attentive without being overly doting. Just as we're about to take a quick siesta before a night of partying, there's a gentle rap on the door: a bell hop, bringing us CBD patches, eye masks and sleep mist to ensure we get the best shut-eye we can before our night kicks off at midnight. Contrastingly, on arrival, we're handed warm flannels and herbal tea to shake off the stress of the outside world. Rave and recovery probably best sums up this fun wellness approach, with wait staff at the rooftop restaurant ready and eager to recommend the best cocktails and small plates to gorge on. Bed and Bath Nobu's rooms are minimalist and immaculate. Think crisp white sheets, a rain shower, double sinks, sliding doors, light tiling, and spacious baths in the Sake Suites. Everywhere you turn, the view is there, with huge windows drenching the room with light and exposing the beauty of Barcelona's cityscape. Amenities include a 65-inch TV, Bluetooth speakers, a Nespresso coffee machine and, of course, a traditional Japanese tea set. Food and drink The food at Nobu is phenomenal, with the main restaurant on the 23rd floor serving the group's famed black cod in miso dish. If you want to go for it, opt for the six-course menu which features tuna tataki with truffle Tosazu. Or, for a more casual option, nip down to the lobby-side restaurant Kozara, where healthy bites like grilled salmon and tuna poke bowls are on the menu. If you prefer to remain poolside, you could opt to have lunch at the Rooftop's terrace restaurant. Quite literally everything is delicious, but the grilled tuna skewers are especially so. Breakfast is a pretty straightforward buffet that is restocked quickly, even at peak times, with everything from fresh pastries to English fry-up classics. Facilities As Nobu is as serious about relaxation as it is about partying, it's no surprise their wellness facilities are a main feature of their Barcelona hotel. They say the Japanese philosophy of Shiawase – a celebration of happiness and wellbeing – is used to infuse moments of fitness and relaxation into details of your stay. This manifests itself in the Nobu Spa, in which there's a sauna, steam bath, and water circuit. In the gym, where workout equipment is available 24/7 and in the free yoga classes for guests. Or, if you're more private, the wellness classes are also available through the TV in your room. There is also free wifi running throughout the hotel. Disability access Ten wheelchair-friendly rooms with wheelchair-accessible bathrooms are available. Pet policy Pets are allowed, with the hotel providing special amenities, toys, beds and guides to the best dog friendly places in the city for canines. Dogs are, however, not allowed in the Nobu restaurant and a €50 (£42) per night charge will be added at check out. Check in check out Check-in at Nobu Hotel Barcelona is from 3pm, and check-out is at 12pm. Family friendly Nobu hotel is family friendly, offering colouring books to children at check-in and in the restaurants. They also offer a Nobu Family package, where they offer a special rate on a second connecting room for children. The only thing to note is children under 16 are not permitted to enter the hotel's spa facilities. At a glance Best thing: Unbelievable food and a fun atmosphere balanced out by a commitment to wellness. Worst thing: It is markedly further from tourist attractions than other hotels in the city. Right for: Anyone who likes sashimi and staying stress-free. Not right for: Those who want to wake up in walking distance to the Sagrada Familia. Instagram from: The rooftop with a cocktail in your hand.
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
GANAS Gym Equipment Powers Lafit Fitness: A Premium Hotel Gym Solution in Phnom Penh
GANAS sets the gold standard for high-end, business-oriented fitness environments, combining silence, elegance, and space efficiency in every design. GANAS Gym Equipment, a world-renowned name in fitness innovation, proudly announces the successful launch of a tailored hotel gym solution at Lafit Fitness, a 350-square-meter facility located inside Spa Village Resort in the Meanchey District of Phnom Penh. Known for its tropical gardens and panoramic sea views, Spa Village entrusted GANAS to deliver a fitness space that reflects its upscale hospitality values and caters to global clientele. With two decades of expertise, GANAS brings unmatched credibility in the design and manufacturing of commercial gym equipment. The company holds ISO9001 and CE certifications, and has delivered fitness solutions to clients in over 130 countries, earning a reputation for combining modern aesthetics with performance and precision. End-to-End Execution with a One-Stop Service Model At the core of GANAS's success is its seamless one-stop service, offering complete project support from concept to completion. This includes: 2D/3D free design: GANAS provides complimentary layout planning using professional 2D/3D tools that help visualize gym flow, zoning, and aesthetics before manufacturing begins. Production: Equipment is manufactured in GANAS's own certified facilities using advanced techniques that guarantee consistency, strength, and visual appeal. Global logistics: With extensive export experience, GANAS manages international shipments efficiently, ensuring safe and timely delivery of all components. On-site installation: Once delivered, GANAS dispatches experienced technicians to install equipment, optimize layout, and ensure operational readiness with minimal disruption. Lifelong maintenance: Post-installation, clients benefit from long-term support, including inspections, repairs, and spare parts to keep the gym running smoothly. This complete service structure played a critical role in the successful development of the Lafit Fitness project, making GANAS a reliable partner for premium hospitality facilities worldwide. Tailored Hotel Gym Solution for Global Guests Understanding that Spa Village attracts an international audience with varied fitness needs, GANAS designed a gym that balances performance with ambiance. The facility was divided into dedicated aerobic, strength, and free weight zones to accommodate all levels of training preferences. The aerobic zone includes high-performance yet whisper-quiet treadmills, non-motorized treadmills, stair machines, elliptical trainers, and bikes. Each machine was selected to match the luxurious tone of the resort while providing space-saving functionality and ease of use. The strength training zone features ergonomically designed equipment from Hammer, a globally respected brand recognized for its comfort, safety, and reliability. The free weight area includes versatile tools from a top-tier American manufacturer, perfect for more advanced fitness routines. Collaborative Design and Intelligent Space Planning In mid-2023, Spa Village representatives visited GANAS headquarters to engage directly with the design team and review layout options. Using its free 2D/3D gym layout service, GANAS produced detailed design plans that outlined traffic flow, functional zones, and optimized use of space. The final layout included: Reception and lounge areas Childcare and relaxation zones Spinning and private training rooms Yoga and group exercise studios Cardio, strength, and free weight zones Sauna and post-workout recovery space Flooring was chosen with safety, functionality, and style in mind. High-density rubber and foam flooring was used in training zones for durability and shock absorption, while wooden floors were installed in yoga and Pilates areas to enhance calm and focus. Atmosphere and Wellness Integration Lighting design played a key role in setting the mood throughout the gym. Brighter, energizing tones were used in high-intensity workout zones, while earth-toned lighting created a relaxing ambiance in spaces focused on recovery and mindfulness. To complement the gym experience, GANAS also installed a professional sauna, offering post-workout relief and supporting muscle relaxation, detoxification, and improved circulation, perfectly aligning with Spa Village's wellness-focused hospitality offering. A Global Benchmark in Commercial Gym Equipment With 22 years of continuous growth and innovation, GANAS Gym Equipment has become a trusted partner to hotels, resorts, and fitness centers across the globe. Its certified, high-performance commercial gym equipment, customized project support, and end-to-end service model have helped redefine the hotel fitness experience. Whether designing a fitness facility for a luxury resort or developing a wellness hub for a corporate property, GANAS delivers hotel gym solutions that are elegant, efficient, and engineered for performance, backed by a commitment to excellence that lasts long after installation. For more details visit: Email: ky004@ WhatsApp: +86 13642520076 Address: G10 Workshop, Longteng Industrial Zone, Shiling Village Committee, Longtang Town, Qingcheng District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Media Contact Company Name: GANAS Gym Equipment Contact Person: Support Email: Send Email Country: China Website:
Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
Lake Orta's Hidden Gem Hotel: La Darbia Blends Nature, Craft And Calm
The bar in La Darbia's kitchen garden Tobias Kaser Photography In the moneyed enclaves north of Milan, it's easy to go glam. But even in Lake Orta, it's harder to go genuine. Finding a classically trained woodworker who crafts and restores Louis XIV furniture is relatively simple. It's hard, however, to find one who makes more humble household objects. It's rare to find one who find the potential in weathered old wood, rusted door locks and armchairs whose seats have cratered under the weight of a thousand heavy conversations. But Gian Carlo and Matteo Primatesta, the architect brothers behind Piedmont's utterly peaceful La Darbia hotel, have found one. They've been working Flavio Bettio—a 60-something woodworker who learned the craft decades ago from his father—for years and years now. He's one of the last holdouts from the days when everyday people went to the village carpenter instead of the suburban Ikea. It's all delightfully analog. And it's made Bettio the go-to for Studio Primatesta's architectural commissions—luxury villas and small tourism projects around the brothers' native Lake Orta, and especially for La Darbia, the hotel they opened in 2012. Flavio Bettio's table in La Darbia's cantina Tobias Kaser Photography The hotel is a full-scale embodiment of the carpenter's artistry—and the architects' firm commitment to simple things done well. It's beautiful in its functionality. In its honesty. In its humility. (It also has its share of invisible upgrades, like magnets on the wardrobe latches to silently keep them closed without interrupting the fantasy of time travel to simpler days.) The unembellished style is well suited for Lake Orta, the quietly beautiful but shy little sister of northern Italy's more glamorous resort towns. Lake Orta doesn't attract the jet-set bourgeoisie who check into the palace hotels of Lake Maggiore, nor the moneyed German speakers who surround Lake Garda, nor the Americans who still joke about searching for George Clooney in Lake Como. What it has instead is a deeply peaceful atmosphere, the charming medieval village of Orta San Giulio, Belle Époque promenades and those magical Alpine lake twilights when the village lights begin to twinkle on the water's surface. In the center of the lake, a short boat ride from the village harbor, Isola San Guilio is home to a few dozen Benedictine nuns, who live in a seminary that dates from 1840, and a smattering of posh holiday homes. (It's about an hour from Milan and even closer to the Swiss border.) Even in June, it's all alive but not overrun. Dinner at La Darbia, overlooking Lake Orta Tobias Kaser Photography La Darbia sits on a hill just above Orta San Giulio. Apart from a historic stone tower, the estate was abandoned farmland that was being reclaimed by nature when the Primatesta brothers heard about it from a client. 'We had the idea to buy it and do something with it,' recalls Gian Carlo. 'But we had no idea what.' The plan came about for two reasons. They had been impressed by the simple, village-style hotels they had seen—something lacking around Lake Orta—on their vacations to places like Tuscany and Provence. And they discovered they genuinely liked hospitality: They had already built and opened 20 serviced apartments on their land when their father gave one of the brothers a pizza oven for his birthday. The family gathered for celebrations at long tables in the gardens, sharing hot pizza and good wine, and it wasn't long before guests asked to join the party. So they built a restaurant and a separate garden bar, hired servers and a terrific chef, and realized they had a full-on hotel on their hands. But La Darbia is still the sort of informal hideaway that prizes slowness and simplicity, that avoids opulence and that emanates the understated elegance that Italians call sobrio. The construction is elemental. The materials are sturdy. The simplicity intrigues. A suite Tobias Kaser Photography 'We're doing what we like,' says Matteo, noting that they try to at least walk around the property every day. 'For 20 years, we were only architects. This is something different.' All 20 of the apartments have nuanced color palettes inspired by nature. Each one faces the gardens, saltwater pool and small plot of grapevines. The lake shimmers below, and on clear mornings, the snowcapped head of Monte Rosa peeks out above. Their terraces or patios are set up with tables for enjoying the picnic breakfast that's delivered each morning—because who wants to get dressed at 8am?—and with lounge chairs for self-evident use. Once a week, they still go back to the super-simple hospitality of inviting guests to their rustic cantina—complete with a long table made by Bettio—to share Piedmontese cheeses, charcuterie and wines from their cellar, including the nebbiolo that's produced from the estate's little vineyards. The rest of the time, meals are still relaxed but elevated to be destination dining. Most of their clientele comes from Milan, or at least from outside the hotel. The garden bar and restaurant building Tobias Kaser Photography In the outdoor bar, café tables and larger, shaded couches are set up around the vegetable plots of the organic kitchen garden. It's a dreamily rustic spot for the top-notch aperitivo that goes along with a selection of local craft beers, regional wines and artful cocktails, many of them infused with herbs and fruits grown on site. There's also a menu of tasty small meals, ranging from caprese salads to vitello tonnato. (They're clearly not sticklers for regionalism, though they do some tasty things with local soft cheese and heritage-breed beef.) At the main restaurant, which operates fully outdoors whenever possible, charismatic chef Matteo Monfrinotti—who was born in Pavia, just south of Milan—is more of a Piedmont purist. His dishes reflect his deep attachment to the region, including tagliolini bossolasco with sausage from nearby Bra, and a twist on ratatouille that layers sweet and sour vegetables with black truffle and an aromatic sauce. As good as the food is, the hospitality is even better. The young team in the dining room, especially head waiter Dimitri Romanyuk and section leader Mauro Mulas, are the kind of pros who make good service look effortless, even enjoyable. They make jokes in two or three languages as they're filleting a salt-baked sea bass or flambéing the sauce for the crepes Suzette. And they'll offer conspiratorial encouragement if a guest decides to order the ethereal panna cotta three nights in a row, just for the sake of sampling all three of the house-made sauces that can go with it. (Well, that and the fact that the panna cotta is outstanding even on its own.) Some of that team, along with the architect-owners and their hardworking carpenter, will be decamping from Lake Orta to an old castle in Chianti soon, where a more Tuscan outpost of La Darbia is slated to open next year. It's a region where there's more competition, to be sure, but it's also where the Primatesta brothers' homespun aesthetic makes perfectly imperfect sense. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes 10 Reasons To Love Bolzano, The Gateway To Italy's Dolomite Mountains By Ann Abel Forbes This New 'Grand Boutique' Hotel In Rome Is A Haven For Design Lovers By Ann Abel Forbes This New Italian Castle Hotel Invites You To Sleep Amid 1,000 Years Of History By Ann Abel
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Feeling Splendido: The Hotel That Serves Elizabeth Taylor's Favourite Spaghetti
She's had a meticulously planned face-lift. But though the Splendido's appearance may have been refreshed, her celebrated spirit – that has attracted a slew of celebrities since 1901 – remains preserved Those in the know don't say they re going to Portofino, they say they're going to the Splendido, A Belmond Hotel. This isn't just an indication of how intrinsically linked this starry, storied property is to it: location on the Italian Riviera – it's what it says about you. It's a stamp of belonging to a rarified world. An indication of taste, refinement. And yes, we will be so crass to point out, sheer spending power. The 'Homage to Elizabeth Taylor' tomato spaghetti starter – named after and created for the icon that adored it, and spent four of her honeymoons here – is 40 Euros. And when you order it, accompanied by a chilled spritz on the jasmine-scented, wisteria-clad La Terrazza, youll come to the realisation that money surely can buy happiness. This pink 16″-century Benedictine monastery anything but austere, as stars like Jennifer Aniston and Madonna would attest to. And it's reemerged this summer season with added aplomb, having undergone a meticulous facelift courtesy of designer Martin Brudnizki, to celebrate its 40 anniversary under the stewardship of Belmond. Drawing inspiration from its setting – at the summit of a cliff overlooking the glistening superyacht-filled harbour (and the homes of designers Giorgio Armani and Dolce and Gabbana in the distance) – motifs of painted flora and fauna, bespoke Medea furniture and local artisanal techniques, are married with requisite upgrades when it comes to tech and modern amenities. You definitely won't hear your neighbours, keen athletes on the tennis court, or the seagulls that swoop in the sunshine outside. The vibe? Staying at your art collector friend's villa. Luxurious, but understated. Comfortable yet elevated. Somewhere it wouldn't seem out of place to see Jeff Goldblum and his jazz band take to the piano for an impromptu performance (true story, this actually happened in June). Opt for one of the suites – 103 offers excellent views and two balconies, plus a stand-alone sunken tub complete with Acqua di Parma toiletries – while La Baronessa is sure to become the ultimate bolt-hole for regulars looking for sprawling space. And while it's tempting to order breakfast in bed, venture downstairs to fully indulge in a generous array of dainty patisserie, juicy sun-kissed fruit, fresh mascarpone and burrata coupled with the region's famous pesto, plus Lombardian chef Corrado Cortis signature Portofino eggs. Even A-listers can't resist the temptation of taking a snap of the bay as the sun rises. You'll be tempted to take all your meals at La Terraza – a hotspot for visitors willing to make the trek up the steep hill to get a taste of the property, and excellent for people-watching – but the poolside Splendido Grill is another option. Don't miss the trofie pesto – rightly recommended by all the staff as a must-try – though the scent of wood-fired pizzas is hard to resist. Those taking in the sun on the tangerine-hued loungers with their distinctive striped parasols, can also take advantage of this menu as they dip n the (temperature-controlled) saltwater pool and sip. If there's an unexpected drizzle? Head to the indoor bar that dispenses excellent Negronis and Ava Gardner (another fan) cocktails. This season also sees the opening of a Dior spa. Distinctive Toile de Jouy wicker furnishings immediately set the scene, with a menu of face and body treatments that can be enjoyed in the comfort of dedicated rooms, or outside in specially created cabanas hidden on the cliffside. Many enjoy the brisk walk down to Portofino's designer boutique-lined pizzetta, where ferries still usher locals to nearby Towns like Santa Margherita (where Silvio Berlusconi has his summer house) and fishermen share space with big boats in this once-sleepy village, but the Splendido also puts on a regular shuttle for guests. A hotspot? The hotel's sister property, the 14-bedroom Splendido de Mare that has captured a prime location at the centre of the main square, flanked by Bottega Veneta, Brunello Cuccinelli and two Louis Vuittons, overlooking the port. Grab a pistachio cone at Gelateria Bar San Giorgio – a contender for the best ice-cream in the country. Splendido is set amidst a protected, forested park – hence its lush surroundings – and in keeping with this ethos, it has a special relationship with an eco-farm La Portofinese. They'll dispatch a tiny van to take you up what seems to be a footpath, but is actually a winding road, further into the greenery, where you can have private cooking lessons or dine amid organic vineyards and plantations endemic to the area. A must-do activity, even though you'll be loath to leave the comforting confines of the hotel, or cut into the exploration of the Cinque Terre (ideally via a sleek Riva boat that the hotel can arrange). There's also been another simultaneous unveiling this season: the spectacular Villa Beatrice. This five-room villa (four suites in the main house, and a stand-alone cottage) with its own private pool and gardens offers the ultimate in privacy. Butler? Check. Private chef? Check. And complete access to the hotel next door if you're looking for company during aperitivo. What To Pack: It would be remiss to head to Portofino without a sprinkling of raffia and some enormous shades. This season, Chloe does the trick. For those who pride themselves on knowing the best, and staying at the best, it's a rite of passage to stay at the Splendido. It says you've not only arrived, but that you've kind of always been there, always belonged. And it takes a magical place to have this allure. For people, from billionaires to celebrities, to wear their patronage as a badge of pride. Once thing is for certain, the hype is justified. It's a privilege to be part of this club.
