Breathtaking views on the Portofino Coast and a redesigned Dolce Vita. A contemporary concept of hospitality at Grand Hotel Bristol

Grand Hotel Bristol reopened its doors on 10th March 2023 as a five-star lifestyle hotel, brand new member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, redesigning la Dolce Vita in a contemporary concept of hospitality and enhancing exclusive comfort and quality services. 

Awarded in 2022 as best Luxury Destination Hotel by World Luxury Awards, this elegant and charming Liberty-style property is located on the Portofino Coast with breath-taking views and offers bespoke and unscripted experiences designed by the brand new lifestyle Concierge. In addition Guests can enjoy the ultimate wellness retreat at the Erre Spa, the biggest hotel spa in Liguria. The F&B selection include a fine-dining restaurant Le Cupole, located on the rooftop, the Italian bistrot La Veranda, The Silk Lounge bar and the 2023 new addition Flamingo Pool Bar&Pizzeria gourmet by the pool.

The building dates back to 1908 and was originally owned by the Costa Family who intended to create the most modern hotel at that time thanks to the presence of elevators and private bathrooms in each room. The hotel is surrounded by a flourishing Mediterranean nature where contemporary style of the interior design is perfectly integrated with the architectural facade of the Liberty era. 

Maintaining the tradition and the splendour of the hotel, the restyling focuses on providing guests with a redefined Dolce Vita concept that involves all senses. 

Ludovica Rocchi, Brand Director, affirmes "Our aim is to guarantee an experience in the hospitality in line with the soul, history, scents and flavours of the territory with exclusive services that can surprise our guests. Our hospitality is made to measure".

From the music in the common areas, restaurants and bars through selected playlists created by London-based Music Designer, to the delicate yet persuasive, fresh and captivating fragrances of the Portofino Forget Me Not, the genuine and traditional Ligurian food with the exceptional cuisine of chef Graziano Duca, the best views of the Portofino Coast, the unique experiences which involve guests, such as the Wine Tasting and the Pesto Cooking Class.

“At Grand Hotel Bristol Spa Resort, ‘La Dolce Vita’ is a way of life - timeless, spanning generations, encapsulating the best of the Italian expression for the ‘good life’. Living ‘La Dolce Vita’ means waking up to the sound of the soothing waves and chirping birds of Gabbiani and cicadas or boarding an elegant gozzo boat and sailing the coast of the Ligurian Mediterranean Sea with the scents of pine and olive trees. Getting lost amidst the piazzetta in Portofino with its glamour boutiques and trendy restaurants or losing yourself in the rich history and culture of the region.” Riccardo Bortolotti, General Manager Grand Hotel Bristol further illustrates. 

GUEST ROOMS 

Grand Hotel Bristol features 80 rooms including 11 suites, freshly renovated embodying the rich history and artistic magnificence of the tradition with a contemporary look&feel.

Most rooms and suites offer stunning views on Portofino and a splendid panorama on the sundown over the gulf.

From the Classic to the Prestige Park View, from the Sea Front rooms to the Junior Suite and from the Executive to the Signature suites, every room and suite arise emotions and welcome guests in a bright and elegant space with all comforts and amenities.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Guests at Grand Hotel Bristol are invited to enjoy the most tasteful selection of restaurants and bars.

Located on the rooftop, Le Cupole is a fine-dining restaurant, already mentioned in the Michelin guide, where Chef Graziano Duca, former Alain Ducasse student, and his team expertly combine tradition, creativity and innovation. The restaurant, awarded in 2022 as best Luxury Rooftop Restaurant by World Luxury Awards, enjoys a romantic view on Portofino in a refined, intimate and sophisticated atmosphere. Le Cupole offers a curated menu of a fusion between traditional Ligurian and Piedmont cuisine with high-quality local and seasonal ingredients accompanied by selection of wines by the Sommelier. 

La Veranda is a charming bistrot located on the panoramic terrace, ideal for a convivial lunch and dinner serving authentic and traditional Italian dishes as well as a great selection of wines and cocktails.

Starting from 2023 guests will also enjoy the brand-new gourmet pizzeria at Flamingo Pool Bar&Pizzeria gourmet by the pool open all day proposing the best recipes from the oven, including the iconic focaccia, as well as international choices such as poké, burgers and club sandwich. Last but least the creamiest home-made gelato.

The bar proposal is not to be outdone with The Silk Lounge Bar available for a casual aperitivo with canapés and signature cocktails made by the Bar Manager Erwan Garofalo. 

WELLNESS & FITNESS

The Erre Spa is the highlight of Grand Hotel Bristol, a 2,000 square meters SPA which offers a wellness experience, a refuge to body, mind and spirit, awarded in 2022 as Best Luxury Spa by World Luxury Awards. The Spa Manager Stephanie with her team accompanies guests with highly personalized Esthederm body treatments and facials. Erre Spa is open all days from 10 am to 8 pm. 

The wellness area of the Erre Spa consists of Sauna, Mediterranean bath, kneipp path, multi-sensory areas and themed relaxation spaces with flavors and aromas, an indoor swimming pool and private massage cabins. The alternation between humid and non-humid areas, the beneficial and appreciated passage dedicated to the ice fountain helps to reactivate the circulation, creates regenerating moments, giving a more flexible and bright skin already after just one session.

Those who wish to treat themselves with more privacy can also reserve a Private Spa Suite, a exclusive Spa in the Spa featuring sauna, Turkish bath, emotional shower. The Spa suite can be reserved for couples or intimate events for a unique stay. 

To complete the wellness offer, the panoramic outdoor pool with whirlpool area allows Guests to swim and relax immersed in the nature with the sea on the horizon and the coastline and the brand-new Gym featuring the latest Technogym equipment, open from 7 am to 10 pm.

MULTISENSORY EXPERIENCES

The Grand Hotel Bristol as a multi-sensory place, starting from its architecture and design to all the activities tailored to evoke emotions: visual, tactile, olfactory and sound emotions. 

The Music

Signature playlists and music that express the hotel lifestyle identity thanks to the collaboration with a London-based company and a Music Designer. The Grand Hotel Bristol offers its guests tailor-made sound experiences to inspire moods and feelings through the bpm (beats per minute) of the tracks with exclusive, dedicated playlists in the hotel areas. 

For the spring-summer season, the Grand Hotel Bristol provides a detailed program of events and evenings dedicated to music. At The Silk Terrace, guests can enjoy twice a week an aperitif at sunset time overlooking Portofino with a Deejay set as well as the possibility to listen to live Duo music. 

Thanks to the partnership with the Sibelius festival, the Grand Hotel Bristol will welcome international artists throughout the season. The first event is scheduled and confirmed for 8 June, a classical music concert performed by a female string trio by the pool overlooking Portofino Coast.

The Fragrance

Charming, seductive, floating, a very feminine essence. A warm wind that comes from the sea and disperses in the air, releasing sweet notes of baby powder. Refined and reserved, ready to explode only when the wind blows. Portofino Forget me Not is the signature fragrance of Grand Hotel Bristol. 

This fragrance expresses passion, freshness, dedication and desire to escape. An idea to always carry with you the pleasant sensations of a stay that is unforgettable for the guest. As Simona Guarraci, Creative Director of the R Collection Hotels Group, says: "We have to communicate a remarkable identity to be recognized. We want to offer sensorial memories that are connected to the excellence of the products we use".

The Flavor 

Cooking class for making pesto with Chef Graziano Duca or wine tasting activities with a selection of fine wines as well as oil tasting with the best extra virgin olive oil carried out by the expert sommelier Andrea Levaggi. For the 2023 season, the Grand Hotel Bristol offers its guests a varied program of food beverage experiences linked to the Territory and to the taste of the local and tradition cuisine providing unique and unforgettable flavors. 

The Art and Cinema

Among 2023 news, the 27th of April inaugurates the partnership between Nuar Gallery, shared by Valentina Ferrari and Flaminia CIabattini, and Grand Hotel Bristol. Throughout summer, this partnership will host numerous art events, including a permanent art gallery and live art performances that will take place from early May to late August. Marking the beginning of this collaboration is Sebastiano Bottaro personal exhibition “a devil in winter”. The young Sicilian artist was mentioned by Exibart among the most promising emerging artists in figurative painting in the 2022 catalog “A New Generation”. This is only the first of a diverse and engaging series of events that will take place throughout the season.

Moreover, Grand Hotel Bristol will offer to guests the experience to watch the best latest films shot on the Ligurian Riviera. The film reproduction will be by the pool under a starry sky with a view of the Portofino Coast.

TERRITORY

The connection with the Territory with its history and identity, its perfumes, tastes, and culture, is always protagonist at Grand Hotel Bristol. From the hotel a delightful walk along the seafront brings guests to the centre of town Rapallo, a turn-of-the-century funicular takes Guests to the Sanctuary of Montallegro, from where to admire the entire gulf. All the most popular places are easy to reach, from Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino, with its world renowned piazzetta. Cinque Terre are easy to reach both by train or best by private boat. No matter what kind of trip guests decide to choose, the lifestyle concierge team is available to create for them the best tailor-made journey.