Portofino’s magnificent Splendido Mare is set to re-open in April 2021 following a complete renovation by the Paris design agency, Festen Architecture.
The rebirth of ‘The Mare’, a Belmond Hotel, revives the timeless allure of Portofino, embraced within a charming guesthouse.
“We like to work on the transformation of classical spaces – delving into a storied past to conceptualise its future,” says Charlotte de Tonnac, Festen’s co-founder.
Splendido Mare revives the timeless allure of Portofino within a charming guesthouse
“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.”
Detailed references to the its nautical history can be found throughout the property, with each of the 14 rooms and suites featuring locally sourced and hand-varnished wood, traditionally used in the fishing and sailing boats that dot the harbour.
The Mare’s 14 rooms and suites feature locally sourced and hand-varnished wood traditionally used in fishing boats
Rope patterns are woven into the marquetry of the headboards, handcrafted by renowned textile designer Véronique de Soultrait. The nautical knot is the emblem of the hotel and is referenced through detailed touchpoints from the bespoke designed glassware and crockery and the individual room keys.
The 7,000 terracotta tiles, handmade by local Ligurian craftsmen and laid in the restaurant, feature the undulation of the water to create a feeling of walking on the sea.
The traditional Ligurian colours of the harbour buildings are found in a palette of amber, terracotta and sea green, used to accent the archways and ceilings. The pastel colours are symbolic of the region and have been used to decorate the facades and window shutters for generations. The design of the wooden floor is inspired by the church of San Giorgio in the town.
One of the suites is inspired by Ava Gardener who personifies mid-century glamour and was a frequent visitor to the guesthouse when filming The Barefoot Contessa in 1954 with Humphrey Bogart.
The bathrooms are designed to create a calming sanctuary, inspired by the neighbouring ‘Santa Margherita’ beach cabins, white and yellow geometric tiles form bold striped walls enhanced against a pure white marble floor.
A curated art collection includes specially commissioned pieces by Italian artist, Gabrielle Cappelli, renowned for his modernist simplicity and an uncomplicated allure that he applies to his practice, matching the timeless elegance of Portofino.
