"Two are indisputably better than one with Belmond’s dual offerings in pretty Portofino, the Belmond Hotel Splendido set high above the cove, and the Belmond Splendido Mare taking pride of place on the harborfront. The 70-room Splendido, on a steep, craggy hill overlooking the area’s fabled turquoise waters, was a 16th century monastery known for withstanding attacks from Saracen pirates. Meanwhile, the 16-room Mare sits on the Piazzetta, a respite from the lively Ligurian harbor. At the Splendido, fragrant wisteria and straight-backed juniper bushes flank the winding cobblestone walkways, and a narrow, gleaming pool hangs perilously over the waves below. Many rooms come with terra-cotta-tiled terraces where you can take your morning cappuccino, and some have stunning panoramic views of the cove. The wellness center offers “Muscle Melt” massages and treatments with Sicilian sea salt and turmeric-laced poultices; while at the restaurant, La Terrazza, local seafood rightly dominates the menu. The Splendido Mare, meanwhile, offers stylish modern rooms, intimate restaurant Chuflay, and even a gelateria right on the Piazzetta." - Julia Buckley
