Villa Rosmarino

Style

Modern-art mansion

Setting

Portofino Peninsula village

Villa Rosmarino hotel on the Portofino Peninsula overlooks a leafy hillside of sun-faded yellow, pink and terracotta cottages stretching to the sea; and is itself a candy-coloured vision of pastels, pinks and pared-down bedrooms. Your Milanesi hosts, Mario and Fulvio, are the epitome of laid-back Italian hospitality: their artwork is expertly curated, they mix a fine espresso martini (we recommend you sip it by the pool), and they'll happily take you out on their gozzo (traditional teak boat).

Facilities

Rooms

Six.

Checkout

11am. Earliest check-in, 2pm; late check-in available until 8pm.

More Details

Rates include breakfast.

Also

Ask Mario and Fulvio to take you out on the hotel’s gozzo, a traditional teak boat, between 10.30pm and 2.30pm daily.

Hotel Closed

One month annually, usually November.

Free Internet Access

Laundry

Pool

At the Hotel

Library, gardens and free parking. In rooms: free WiFi, Comfort Zone bath products and not a TV in sight.

Our Favourite Rooms

What the top-floor Terrace Room lacks in size, in makes up for in views – spectacular ocean panoramas from both its eponymous terrace and the shower. The room names give the game away: if you want somewhere large, it’s got to be the Large Room; this light, airy suite has the most space (but no sea view, sadly). The shady Garden Room is on the ground floor, with marble mosaics, stripy velvet chairs and a polished wooden day-bed.

Poolside

The infinity pool is surrounded by sun-bleached teak decking, sweet-smelling geraniums in dusky pots and elegant wooden sunloungers.

Packing Tips

Coastal-cruising gear: over-size sunglasses, chic headscarves and driving gloves.

Also

During high season (April to October) and at weekends, a two-night minimum stay usually applies. In-room spa treatments can be arranged.

Children

Over-eights can stay, but only in the Garden Room, which can have an extra bed added for €50 a night.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Poolside for prosecco, and out on the terrace along the side of the house for breakfast. Slip away upstairs for a refined ristretto in the decadent library.

Dress Code

You’re up against a super-stylish host couple from Milan, so get those labels out.

Hotel Restaurant

None, but guests can catch up with their hosts over an expertly made espresso in the communal kitchen. The grey stone space spans an entire floor, and leads out to a sunny breakfast terrace. The long table inside is scattered with books, maps and interiors mags, and the room features a low leather BB Italia sofa, a pair of powder blue Marco Zanuso ‘Lady’ chairs, a vintage Castiglioni lamp and Murano glassware set on an antique kilim. Breakfast is a spread of pastries, yoghurt and fresh fruits, with amazing juices.

Hotel Bar

Nothing formal, just a houseboy-tended honesty bar of wines, spirits and juices in the kitchen.

Last Orders

Breakfast is served from 8.30am until 10.30am, and you can always help yourself to a glass of wine.

Room Service

None.

Planes

The nearest airport is in Genoa, served by both Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) and British Airways (www.ba.com). The drive to the hotel will take half an hour.

Trains

A five-minute drive from the hotel in Camogli, the train station has direct routes to Genoa; see Trenitalia (www.trenitalia.com) for details.

Automobiles

There are plenty of car-hire desks at Genoa airport, and the hotel has free parking.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

If Mario and Fulvio’s collection has inspired a little envy, call in at Via Garibaldi 12 in Genoa (viagaribaldi12.com) and raid this 16th-century palazzo-turned-concept-store. From the hotel, walk down the steps into the heart of Camogli, a golden fishing village with a pebbly beach and lots of seafront restaurants. Head to Recco to taste its cheese-filled take on fugassa – a thin slice of oil-drizzled focaccia with a layer of mild, soft stracchino – warm from the oven. The mediaeval San Fruttuoso monastery can only be reached by boat or a two-hour trek through some vineyards. The preserved abbey was built by Greek monks in the 10th century, and its many corridors and rooms lead to cloisters, vaults and a Byzantine church.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .