Grand Hotel Portovenere

Perched between Cinque Terre and the Gulf of Poets in Italy, the Grand Hotel Portovenere sits at the heart of eastern Liguria’s most inspiring landscapes. This 5-star boutique retreat occupies a building steeped in history. Once the 17th-century Convent of San Francesco, its vaulted red-brick ceilings and graceful proportions have been preserved through careful restoration. Over the centuries, the building has also served as a naval hospital and the town hall before evolving into the haven that it is today.

Many rooms open onto terraces or French windows, where morning light spills over views of Portovenere’s colourful harbour and the open Ligurian Sea. The interiors are simple yet sophisticated, blending the clean lines of modern design with subtle nods to the Renaissance monastery that once graced these walls.

Days begin in the Palmaria restaurant, its glass-fronted veranda offering panoramic views of the village and marina. By night, the restaurant transforms into an elegant space to enjoy Mediterranean gastronomy, where regional flavours and local ingredients are brought to life in dishes that honour Liguria’s maritime heritage. Beneath the high-vaulted ceilings of the Venus bar, cocktails are sipped slowly.

The Portovenere Wellness centre offers a sanctuary of calm, complete with a Turkish bath, sauna and a carefully curated menu of treatments using the finest cosmetics and natural products. For those seeking movement, a well-equipped fitness room and the opportunity for outdoor exploration await.

Guests are steps from the marina where ferries glide towards the cliffside villages of Cinque Terre. Hike the wild beauty of Palmaria Island, tour local oyster farms or wander through terraced vineyards to taste the region’s finest wines.