Clinging to the hillside, overlooking what might well be considered to be Italy's most fashionable sea resort, amidst a lush subtropical garden which seems almost to tumble down in to the Ligurian sea below, one finds Portofino's marvellous Hotel Splendido.

Now owned by the prestigious Orient Express hotel group, the Splendido occupies a building originally built in medieval times as a monastery. The monks abandoned the site in the 16th century; tired of the continual attacks by the ferocious Saracen pirates who regularly wrecked havoc along the Italian coastline.

For centuries, this impressive building was left in a state of complete ruin, right up until the 19th century when Baron Baratta purchased the former monastery and converted it in his own private summer residence. It was Ruggiero Valentini, the great pioneer of tourism in Portofino, who recognised the building's huge potential and, having acquired the property from Baratta in 1901, proceeded to transform it in the Grand Hotel Splendid. In no time at all, a steady flow of European aristocrats and stars of the silver screen came to grace the sumptuous bedrooms and suites of the hotel with their well recorded presence.

Today, Hotel Splendido, perched above the yacht-filled harbour of Portofino and the sparkling waters of Tigullio bay has maintained all of its appeal; affording stunning views from all of its 65 luxuriously appointed guestrooms and each and every one of its sun-kissed terraces.

The superb climate of the Italian Riviera ensures pleasant open air dining right through from early spring to late autumn. Excellent local sea food and fish dishes can be enjoyed at the hotel's "La Terrazza" restaurant, whilst Hotel Splendido's poolside eatery offers an exciting menu of contemporary Italian cuisine for those wishing to partake in an informal light lunch or snack. Inside dining is available in the hotel's magnificent belle époque dining rooms.Two private function rooms are available for high profile wedding receptions, important gala dinners and top level business meetings.

Hotel Splendido's Wellness Center offers an impressive range of face and body treatments. Among the various disciplines available to hotel guests, either in the wellness center or in specially created areas within the hotel gardens: yoga, pilates, ayurveda and aromatherapy. Other leisure facilities available on site include a high tech fitness room, heated swimming pool and tennis court.