JUNE 2024 - Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino is getting ready to welcome its guests, inaugurating a season that will confirm its legacy as an icon of style and elegance in the Gulf of Tigullio. During each seasonal reopening, the hotel will present new spaces that reflect its historical value and exclusivity, while perfectly blending with the landscape that surrounds it. Last season the hotel revealed the transformation of the celebrated pool area, famously overlooking the sparkling Ligurian Bay; as well as introducing the new Splendido Grill restaurant and the renovated Baronessa Suite. With each seasonal reopening the Hotel promises new elevated spaces and 2024 sees new rooms capturing the spirit of Ligurian craftsmanship and design. While at Splendido Grill this year’s menu is helmed by newly appointed Chef Luca Orini, who brings over thirty years of experience and devoted attention to details. At Splendido, culinary mastery is an integral part of every stay: this is confirmed by the prestige of La Terrazza restaurant, whose menu - under Executive Chef Corrado Corti’s guidance - focuses on regional cuisine and the best seasonal ingredients.

Events in the iconic Piazzetta will also take place, starting from open-air cinema evenings, experiences for navigation enthusiasts and sweet moments at Gelateria San Giorgio, celebrating 100 years in 2024 and freshly renovated and rebranded by Belmond. Furthermore, the “Pearl of Tigullio” finally awaits the arrival of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, Europe which launches its new Paris to Portofino route in June.

ON THE GRILL

Chef Luca Orini takes over at Splendido Grill focusing on high-quality menu and service. The restaurant incorporates a celebration of seasonal dishes, with lunch offerings that favor plant-based ingredients, and expertise in open fire cooking, featured during dinner. Throughout summer important guests will take the stage, starting from Chef Jacopo Ticchi and his research on raw materials. Trattoria da Lucio, in Rimini, is one of those leading a revolution in sea-menu approaches: next July 11th at Splendido Grill, Chef Ticchi will enhance fish in all its cuts.

Alongside, the new Pool Bar will offer mocktails for lunch and more sophisticated mixes for dinner, when the guests will also appreciate musical accompaniment. Friday evenings will be enlivened by Max Repetto, DJ and radio host, often joined by saxophonist Stefano Guazzo. Sundays instead are reserved for live music performances from local artists.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE FAMOUS PIAZZETTA

Splendido and Splendido Mare, both Belmond Hotels, want to celebrate what Portofino - a natural stage - has represented and represents for cinema. On June 22nd and September 12th Belmond indeed brings back to Piazzetta silver screen nights, in collaboration with the Riviera International Film Festival of Sestri Levante. An independent movie from a young director is scheduled for June, while the September date will feature a Michelangelo Antonioni’s film set in Gulf of Tigullio.

And it is precisely in these waters that the possible experiences for all kind of sailors unfold, with itineraries that touch San Fruttuoso, with the abbey in the bay of Capodimonte, the seaside village of Portovenere and Punta Chiappa, a strip of rock that juts out onto the sea with a suggestive view and crystal clear water. On land, the Portofino Regional Park, a protected area that occupies a large part of the promontory stretching between the Ligurian municipalities of Camogli and Rapallo, is the perfect destination for trekking.

A special mention, in the heart of Piazzetta, goes to the 100th anniversary of Gelateria San Giorgio, where in 1924 "Paciugo", the typically Ligurian cup of wild berries, variegated black cherries and cream, was born. The acquisition and renovation by Belmond make the icecream shop a mandatory sweet destination, thanks to its beautiful design and the advice of the best Italian icecream makers.

VSOE FROM PARIS TO PORTOFINO

Finally, starting from summer 2024 the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will depart towards the Ligurian coast. For the first time in its 40-year history, on June 21st the VSOE will connect two iconic destinations: Paris and Portofino. This new annual overnight trip will cross the French countryside before travelling along the entire Mediterranean Riviera and ending its itinerary at Santa Margherita Ligure station. The train experience will end there, but not the Italian stay which will continue at Splendido and Splendido Mare.