GRAND HOTEL BRISTOL - ENG

The Grand Hotel Bristol, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, stands as a five-star lifestyle hotel majestically perched on the prestigious Portofino Coast. It redefines La Dolce Vita with contemporary concept of hospitality, accentuating exclusive comforts and high-quality services.

Originally owned by the Costa family, the building dates back to 1904, aiming to create the most modern hotel of its time. Surrounded by lush Mediterranean nature, the contemporary interior design seamlessly integrates with the Liberty style architectural facade.

Preserving the tradition and splendor of the structure, Grand Hotel Bristol offers guests a redefined version of Dolce Vita, involving all five senses to ensure experiences carefully curated by Lifestyle Concierge. Guests can immerse themselves in wellness experiences at the Erre Spa, the largest Spa in the Ligurian hotel. The dining options include a variety of choices such as the rooftop fine dining at Le Cupole, the Italian Bistrot La Veranda, The Silk Lounge bar, and the Flamingo Pool Bar&Pizzeria Gourmet by the pool.

As Ludovica Rocchi, Brand Director, states, “Our goal is to ensure a model of experiential hospitality that resonates with the soul, history, scents and flavors of the region with exclusive offerings that can surprise our guests. Guest centrality is the distinctive feature of our hospitality. Our welcome is Italian and tailored. We want to convey the style of R Collection Hotels, the 'True Italian Heritage.'"

From the music in common areas, restaurants and bars with delicate playlists, to the delicate yet persuasive citrusy scents of the Portofino Forget Me Not fragrance, to genuine culinary experiences rooted in Ligurian tradition with the exceptional cuisine of Chef Artan Berberi, to the best view of the Portofino Coast, to unique experiences directly involving guests, such as the Wine & Art Class—an exclusive wine tasting held in a modern art gallery interspersed with art vernissages, olive oil tasting, and the iconic Pesto Masterclass. Grand Hotel Bristol is the ideal destination for luxury travelers: couples, families, and friends’ groups seeking authenticity. 

“At Grand Hotel Bristol the Dolce Vita is a timeless mood of life - embracing generations, encapsulating the best of the Italian expression for 'the good life.' Living 'La Dolce Vita' means waking up to the sound of relaxing waves and the cries of seagulls and cicadas, sailing from the marina and navigating along the Ligurian Sea coast, letting the gaze wander over the incredible Mediterranean flora, with its scents of pine and olive. Enjoying the sunset directly over the sea. Getting lost in Portofino's square among its glamorous boutiques and trendy restaurants or in the rich history and culture of the region" says Riccardo Bortolotti, General Manager of the Grand Hotel Bristol.

The Grand Hotel Bristol features 80 rooms, including 11 recently renovated suites, reflecting the rich history and artistic magnificence of tradition with a contemporary look&feel. Most rooms and suites come with terraces for moments of total privacy, allowing guests to embrace the sea breeze and the scent of citrus from the Riviera, offering breathtaking views of Portofino and the captivating sunset over the Gulf of Tigullio.

From the Prestige rooms to the spacious Deluxe Sea Front, from the Junior Suite and Executive to the Signature Suite, each room and suite evokes emotions and incorporates harmonious color tones that make the environment bright, warm, welcoming, and spacious, equipped with all the comforts and services. The renovated Portofino suite is the highlight of the residence, featuring two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a spacious terrace, and an elegant panoramic dining area.

Guests of the Grand Hotel Bristol are invited to indulge in the finest selection of four restaurants, led by Chef Andrea Cannalire, who presents a creative cuisine playing with colors and flavors of Italian tradition through a captivating reinterpretation, in a symphony of freshness and contemporaneity.

Located on the rooftop, Le Cupole is the fine dining restaurant of the Grand Hotel Bristol, already mentioned in the Michelin guide recommendations. The restaurant, awarded in 2023 as Best Panoramic Views in Europe and Best Luxury Hotel Restaurant in Italy by the World Luxury Awards, boasts a romantic view of Portofino in a refined, intimate, and sophisticated atmosphere. Le Cupole offers a carefully curated menu for a culinary experience with a unique and unconventional personal concept paired with a selection of wine labels.

La Veranda is a charming bistro located on the panoramic terrace, perfect for convivial dinners, offering a journey through the flavors of Italy with a menu that highlights the regional and prime ingredients of Italian regions along with a variety of cocktails.

The Flamingo Pool Bar&Pizzeria Gourmet, located by the pool and open all day, offers gourmet pizza and the iconic Genovese pesto focaccia, along with international choices, healthy and happy food, ranging from ceviche to the iconic club sandwich.

The Silk Lounge Bar is named after the Silk Road it is located on, leading to the historic silk mills of Zoagli where silk and velvet are still produced today. It is an elegant bar ideal for enjoying the best aperitifs in style, savoring canapés accompanied by signature cocktails created by Bar Manager Erwan Garofalo.

In the exciting news for 2025, with the management takeover of the Marina di Bardi Portofino Beach club, guests can dine at the beachfront restaurant, offering Mediterranean cuisine with a wide variety of fish-based dishes, both traditional and reimagined. From exquisite royal seafood platters to delightful assortments from the oyster bar, each dish pays tribute to the richness and freshness of seafood, presented with elegance and mastery. The open kitchen, led by Executive Chef Andrea Cannalire, provides a captivating culinary spectacle.

Whether it's immersing yourself in nature, indulging in spa treatments, or embracing ancient wellness traditions, the Grand Hotel Bristol offers a holistic approach to the journey, creating a renewed sense of well-being.

The Erre Spa is the pride of the Grand Hotel Bristol, the largest spa in Liguria, spanning 2,000 square meters, providing a well-being experience—a sanctuary for the body, mind, and spirit. Awarded in 2023 as Best Luxury Spa in Italy and Best Luxury Destination Spa - Global Winner by the World Luxury Awards, Spa Manager Stephanie Zini and her team guide guests with highly personalized Esthederm body and facial treatments and a selection of quality products from the Biologique Recherche line.

The wellness area of Erre Spa includes a sauna, Mediterranean bath, Kneipp path, multisensory areas, themed relaxation spaces with flavors and aromas, an indoor pool, and private massage cabins. The alternating wet and dry zones, along with the invigorating passage by the ice fountain, help reactivate circulation, create rejuvenating moments, and leave the skin more flexible and radiant after just one session.

Those seeking more privacy, can book the Private Spa Suite, an exclusive spa within the wellness center equipped with a sauna, Turkish bath, and sensory shower. The spa suite can be reserved for couples or intimate events for a unique stay.

From 2024, Erre Spa enhances its treatment offerings thanks to Acqua Soma, a water massage that promotes muscle relaxation through tactile contact.

Completing the wellness offerings, the outdoor panoramic pool with a hydro-massage area allows guests to swim and relax surrounded by nature, with the sea on the horizon, and the brand-new gym equipped with the latest Technogym facilities is open every day for hotel guests.

The Grand Hotel Bristol is designed as a multisensory space, starting from its architecture and design to initiatives and activities tailored to stimulate visual, tactile, olfactory, and auditory emotions.

The Grand Hotel Bristol offers its guests a diverse program of Food & Beverage experiences and territory-linked masterclasses to savor the local cuisine and tradition, providing unique and unforgettable flavors to be remembered from the moment of arrival with the typical Ligurian focaccia as a welcome gesture.

To discover all the secrets of authentic Ligurian pesto preparation, activities such as the Pesto Masterclass, a lesson with Chef Artan Berberi, can be booked. Other activities include Wine and Art Tasting with a selection of fine wines, and Oil Tasting, a tasting of the finest extra virgin olive oil guided by sommelier Andrea Levaggi.

Charming, seductive, and floating—an essence that evokes the warm sea breeze dispersing sweet notes of talcum powder. Refined and reserved, ready to explode only when the wind blows, Portofino Forget me Not is the olfactory signature of the Grand Hotel Bristol. The fragrance tells a story of passion, freshness, and determination—a sensory journey that accompanies the guest within the structure, leaving pleasant sensations and lasting memories. As Simona Guarraci, R Collection Hotels Group’s Creative Director says, "We must create a significant identity to be recognized. We want to offer sensory memories linked to the excellence of the products we use."

The collaboration between Nuar Gallery, founded by Valentina Ferrari and Flaminia Ciattini, and the Grand Hotel Bristol continues. The partnership involves a dense schedule of art events throughout the summer season. With the opening of a permanent art gallery within the hotel's spaces, art becomes the epicenter for new intellectual and experiential stimuli, featuring exhibitions and live painting activities.

Playlist and signature music that communicate the hotel's lifestyle identity, thanks to a collaboration with a London-based company providing a dedicated Music Designer. The Grand Hotel Bristol offers guests tailor-made sound experiences to inspire moods and sensations through exclusive playlists in the hotel's spaces based on the beats per minute (bpm) of the tracks.

For the spring-summer season, the Grand Hotel Bristol presents a rich program of themed events and music nights. On the outdoor terrace by the pool, guests can enjoy a Portofino view aperitif with a sunset Dj set, and there will also be opportunities to listen to live Duo music.

The partnership with the Sibelius festival continues, with the Grand Hotel Bristol hosting international artists throughout the season for musical and cultural events, showcasing the splendid Riviera as a source of artistic inspiration.

The 2025 Highlight: Marina di Bardi Beach Club, the private beach of the Grand Hotel Bristol, stands as one of the most exclusive spots on the Portofino coast. Our Beach Club provides meticulous towel service and personalized assistance from our Beach Concierge every day, ensuring that a day at the sea is a moment of pure relaxation. 

To fully embrace the "Dolce Vita in Riviera" experience, it also features a panoramic whirlpool with breathtaking views of the entire gulf. Located just 3 minutes by car from the hotel (with complimentary shuttle service), it's the perfect place to savor an authentic seafood menu in the restaurant or enjoy a stunning sunset with a cocktail on the "Sunset Bar" terrace. Guests have access to a large free car park.

The connection with the territory, its history, identity, scents, flavors, and culture, remains a central focus at the Grand Hotel Bristol. A delightful waterfront stroll from the hotel takes guests to the center of Rapallo, while a fin-de-siècle funicular transports them to the Sanctuary of Montallegro, providing a panoramic view of the entire gulf. All the renowned destinations are easily accessible, from Santa Margherita Ligure to globally famous Portofino. The Cinque Terre can be reached by both train and, even better, by private boat. Whatever type of journey guests choose, the lifestyle concierge team is available to craft a tailor-made experience.

The Grand Hotel Bristol has achieved DCA Certification, awarded by Dream&Charme, the international certification body accredited by Accredia to certify the sustainability of hospitality facilities. It stands as the only officially recognized Sustainability Certification for hospitality facilities internationally, acknowledged by 97 countries.

Recognized by the World Luxury Awards in 2022, the Grand Hotel Bristol reaffirms its excellence in 2023, winning Best Luxury Rooftop View Hotel in Italy and Best Luxury Seaside Hotel - Global Winner. This prestigious recognition solidifies the Grand Hotel Bristol's position as a global winner, contributing to the appreciation of this elegant and charming establishment.

The Grand Hotel Bristol clinches the Travellers’ Choice 2023 award from TripAdvisor as it continues its reign of quality and excellence. This accolade celebrates the properties favored by travelers worldwide, based on reviews and scores obtained over a 12-month period. The Grand Hotel Bristol cements its position among the world's best hotels on TripAdvisor, providing an excellent service recognized by its guests, confirming the quality of the experience the Ligurian Riviera hotel offers.