Splendido Mare is the harbour-front sister of the famed hillside Splendido, and it sits in the heart of Portofino, just a few steps from the Piazzetta. The hotel is small, with a limited number of rooms and suites, and it offers a very different way to experience the village: you wake to the sound of boats and the sight of the colourful houses reflected in the water. Staying in Portofino rather than visiting for the day changes everything. The day-trippers leave in the late afternoon, the harbour quiets and the village takes on an intimate, almost private feel. Walks to the lighthouse and Castello Brown are easy before breakfast or after dinner, and the coast paths start on the doorstep.
Rooms are individually styled, with refined interiors and modern bathrooms, and many have windows or balconies facing the harbour. Air conditioning and Wi-Fi are standard in this class, and service is personal. A terrace restaurant overlooking the quay is a draw in itself, particularly for seafood and sunset dinners.
Prices are high, in line with Portofino itself, and the hotel is aimed at travellers celebrating something special. Spring and early autumn offer a balance of weather, availability and price, while summer is peak and often booked far ahead. In winter, the hotel and village operate at a slower pace.
Practicalities matter. Cars are restricted in the village at busy times, so the hotel can advise on parking and transfers. Most guests arrive by taxi, ferry or private transfer from Santa Margherita Ligure or Genoa. Luggage handling is part of the service, which helps on the cobbled quay.
The hotel is a base for exploring the Portofino park, the marine protected area and the nearby coves. Boat trips to San Fruttuoso and Camogli leave from the harbour in season, and the village has a handful of boutiques and galleries. For a more varied trip, spend a night here and the rest of your stay in Genoa.
For a short, memorable escape, this is a very strong choice, but it is not for everyone. Those on a budget will find Santa Margherita and Rapallo much better value while still within easy reach of Portofino.
Arrive in the late afternoon if you can, so that you see the village in its day-tripper phase and its quiet evening phase. Allow an hour for a stroll to Castello Brown at golden hour. If a harbour-view room is important, request it when you book, and consider a midweek stay outside the summer peak for a calmer village and a better chance of a table at your first-choice restaurant.
Why stay here
- ✓Harbour-front location
- ✓Steps from the Piazzetta
- ✓Sea-facing rooms
- ✓Terrace restaurant
- ✓Boutique scale
- ✓Air-conditioned rooms
- ✓Concierge and transfers
- ✓Boat trip help
Good questions
Where is Splendido Mare?+
On the harbour front in Portofino, close to the Piazzetta.
Is it suitable for a short stay?+
Yes. One or two nights give you the village after the day-trippers leave.
How do I get there from Genoa?+
By train to Santa Margherita Ligure, then taxi, bus or ferry to Portofino, or by private transfer.
