Splendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino — Hotel in Portofino

My husband and I were really looking forward to our stay at the Belmond Splendido Mare. We were checked in and escorted to our room. I immediately noticed a strong odor, but wanted to make sure I was not being overly sensitive to the smell before I mentioned something. As soon as my husband and I were alone in the room he mentioned the smell. We could only assume there was a dead animal in the air vent. My husband called the front desk and we were told when we left for dinner they would check the room but that they would not be able to move us until the next day if there was no resolution to the cause of the odor. Once we returned from dinner the front desk staff assured us the issue had been addressed. Unfortunately, as is typical with smells that strong, there was still an intense odor lingering in the air. I would say that the room really never smelled fresh throughout the entire stay but worse than the lingering smell was that there was not much of an apology regarding the issue. My rule of thumb and expectations for hospitality is that everyone is treated as a guest of the hotel. I understand that the amenities and access to certain offerings are only available to guests. With that said, there is a polite way to ensure that that is the case. At the Belmond however, it is clear that the assumption was that we were not guests. When I asked for clarity regarding the lunch by the pool, instead of sharing the details and then politely informing me that the lunch is available for guests only or gently confirming that I was, in fact, a guest, the woman at the front desk started the conversation with a harsh and judgmental “It is for guests only.” That attitude continued in every exchange we had with staff when accessing amenities or utilizing the facilities. I felt like it would have allowed for my husband and I to enjoy more relaxation if they would have given us a wristband like they do at Disney World to avoid the third degree from staff. A wristband would have been on the same level of elegance as the constant badgering. Outside of the grounds and the room I’d also like to comment that the hotel does not have the polish of other five star properties. The pool cushions were dated and the decorative cushions around the property and on the dining chairs were not as clean as I would have expected. I did update the agent that we booked our travel with about the issues that we had run into. The agent reached out to the hotel on our behalf in hopes of improving the quality of our stay. The General Manager did reach out to inquire about any issues we were having. Maybe wrongly on my part I did not dive into the list of complaints. Let me explain that not doing so was prompted by the approach the General Manager took with me during the inquiry. I can assure you he did not seem open to hearing about the behavior that was so off putting and sounded extremely bothered to have made the call. Every time we came back to the hotel the front desk would say that the General Manager wanted to speak to us to make sure we were enjoying our stay. It honestly felt like we were “getting in trouble” and being summoned for the remainder of the trip. As you can imagine that was not enjoyable. The last thing I will mention about our stay is in regards to the inconsistency with the hotel policies. The second evening we stayed at the hotel we requested an iron and ironing board. The staff promptly brought us both. On the last day of our stay we were informed that it is not only against hotel policy but also against Italian law to allow guests an iron and ironing board. I am not nearly as appalled by the ridiculous policy as I was by the lack of consistency. I know many five star properties instead offer pressing guests clothes for a surcharge. But to not have that policy on the second day and then implement it on day four (and I could be reading more into this than is the case, but after we have had issues with our stay)...

Along the Ligurian sea is Genoa and a few other port cities from where you would embark if you were planning a trip to the islands of Corsica (France) or Sardinia (Italy). You can either walk on or drive a car onto the ferries. Sailing to Sardinia and Corsica is beautiful and it’s very easy to arrange.

If you have the time, try to make a special trip to Portofino. Portofino is a picturesque seaside town south of Genoa that looks as if it were the set of a musical production. If you feel like splurging a little, stay at the luxurious Hotel Splendido.

In addition to their elegant main building above the town, there is another smaller building in the town on the water (the Splendido Mare). You should consider staying at the Splendido Mare with a village view. You will still have access to everything in the main building and it's totally worth it. If you are not planning to stay at the Spendido, consider having dinner at the restaurant in the Splendido Mare. Spend no more than two to three nights in Portofino as the town will begin to feel small.

Walking from the Splendido Mare, you can wander along the small harbor and see the very impressive yachts.

Immediately, next door to the Spendido Mare is Ristorante Puny which will require a reservation as will all the restaurants in the Splendido. Puny is a favorite among Italians; you might see many well-known public figures there. In general, actual Italians on holiday actually do visit Portofino. This is not the case for many places in Italy.

Portofino and the towns surrounding Genoa are known for their pesto, a sauce made from fresh basil, oil, and pine nuts. Eat all the pesto...

Truly enjoyed staying at this hotel! I'll tell you what is special about it:

1️⃣ The view and location convenience were amazing! It was situated at the square of everything - shopping, breathtaking views, delicious restaurants, and mouthwatering gelatos! I'm a light sleeper, but I wasn't bothered by any noise from outside. Can't recall anything that disturbed my sleep

2️⃣ The service was top-notch! The staff was incredibly supportive and friendly. They even went above and beyond by providing us with beach slippers, tote bags, and artistic pouches when all we asked for was beach slippers!

3️⃣ We had access to the main Splendido hotel for all its wonderful facilities! They had Benz shuttles available for pick up and drop off every 15 minutes. We enjoyed the spectacular view, the pool with teal sea water, and the unforgettable experience at the outdoor Dior spa! 🌊

4️⃣ This hotel also offers free access to dior beach club & 1-hour boat tour for free, and you can even add more hours if you wish, with just a small extra charge! The boat takes you on a tour. U’ll be able to see the famous houses from a sea view. U’ll get the chance to swim next to Dolce & Gabbana's house and let the beautiful sun sparkle and shimmer on you!

5️⃣ The rooms were incredibly convenient and comfortable. We booked a suite as we were 3. They provided high-end hair and shower products, making the whole experience even more luxurious!

I truly found myself in Portofino! Thank you for the unforgettable experience that made me want to come...