Newly-designed Belmond Splendido Mare to reopen in April

Belmond Splendido Mare in Portofino is set to reopen in April following a complete renovation by Paris design agency, Festen Architecture.

The first property in the Belmond portfolio to be renovated under LVMH ownership, the hotel features a range of nautical themes as a nod to its heritage as a guest house for fishermen.

Each of the 14 rooms and suites feature locally sourced and hand-varnished wood, traditionally used in the fishing and sailing boats that dot the harbour, while rope patterns have been woven into the marquetry of the headboards.

The hotel’s emblem, a nautical knot, is referenced throughout the hotel, from the bespoke designed glassware and crockery to the individual room keys.

In the restaurant, 7,000 terracotta tiles handmade by local craftsmen give the impression of walking on the sea, while the hotel's colour theme of amber, terracotta and sea green mirrors the traditional Ligurian colours of the harbour buildings.

In celebration of the 1950s era that defined Portofino’s glamorous history, the property is decorated with authentic antiques such as fruitwood armchairs by Paolo Buffa and Gio Ponti; walnut armchairs by Ulrich Guglielmo and table lamps by Oscar Torlasco.

A curated art collection also includes specially commissioned pieces by Italian artist, Gabriele Cappelli.

“We like to work on the transformation of classical spaces - delving into a storied past to conceptualise its future,” said Charlotte de Tonnac, co-founder of Festen Architecture.

“For Splendido Mare, we are cherishing its humble beginning as a guest house for fishermen and the cinematic setting of Portofino. The redesign evokes a stylish home where contemporary and vintage pieces co-exist to provide a timeless feel.

“We want guests to feel comfortable, at ease but also feel the historical spirit, and we want them to feel the coherence we try to create between the design of the hotel and its surroundings.”