Hotel de Russie

Perched high above the sparkling bay, with wonderful views down on to the harbour below, Belmond Hotel Splendido has long been the glamorous heart of Portofino. Once an Benedictine monastery that was ransacked by Saracen pirates frequently enough that the monks abandoned it in the 16th century, the building was renovated inn the 19th century by an Italian aristocrat and then transformed into a hotel in 1901. The Splendido – and Portofino – was discovered by American visitors in the 1950s and soon hosted stars and notaries from Winston Churchill and the Duke of Windsor to Clark Gable, Groucho March and Elizabeth Taylor. The allure and thoroughly Italian charm of this golden age is retained, indeed celebrated today. 70 rooms and suites make the most of the Italian Riveria’s distinctive light, with spacious and airy ambiance, many with incredible views and private balconies. The panoramic pool, Terrazza Restaurant and piano bar are as elegant as they ever were, perfect spots for socialising and people watching. The trip down to Portofino itself is a pleasant walk (or complimentary shuttle) away, where guests can enjoy the soaking up the bustling harbour’s energy at the hotel’s Chaflay Restaurant and Bar or head out to sea on boating excursions.

Overlooking the historic Boboli Gardens, near to Florence’s centre, Villa Cora is an exquisitely restored 19th century palace that offers a step back into the grandeur of neoclassical Florence, with eclectic and occasionally bizarre artistic styles of the period. Built at a time when Florence was the cosmopolitan capital of the newly created Kingdom of Italy, Villa Cora earned its reputation by hosting guests such as Princess Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, and the Russian composer Tchaikovsky, being considered the most beautiful residence of the Tuscan capital. It became a grand hotel in 1960, during another of Florence’s most stylish periods. The hotel has 44 rooms and suites, divided into the main villa and in two adjacent buildings. The majority are in the main villa, split over four floors, each of which has been characterised around a theme, one with extravagant frescoes, another taking Moorish influence from the Orient. Villino Eugenia is a small guesthouse overlooking the Boboli Gardens, containing 13 accommodations, each decorated and furnished according to the bourgeois styles of the late 19th century. Lastly, La Follie, a small guesthouse located at the edge of the park that surrounds Villa Cora has a particular charm and discretion with only two rooms for complete privacy. Le Bistrot Restaurant offers seasonal produce, during the winter months in the splendid Moorish Room with its domed ceiling with original frescoes by Antonio Caremmi, and in the summer outdoors in the winter garden by the side of the swimming pool, where guests can relax in an elegant yet informal environment. The Benè spa is located on the lower floor of Villino Eugenia and is equipped with a small gym, tepidarium, sauna and Turkish hammam. The wellness centre offers Asian and European massages as well as beauty treatments. There is also a large heated outdoor pool shaded by vast oak trees.