Have you noticed that lately every category of experience has the word “snob” attached to it?
Food snob, restaurant snob, ticket snob, airline snob – the list goes on and on.
Town and Country magazine recently launched their Snob Guides covering everything from the best restaurants, bars, and hotels to ski resorts, museums, cruises, and spas. (My personal favorite: A Snob’s Guide to London).
Although the description traditionally has a negative connotation, it has taken on a new meaning, particularly when you travel which is, what is the very best experience I can have for my particular interests?
For me, I fall squarely into the hotel snob category but I never considered myself a “room snob” until a trip to the Splendido in Portofino last summer when we checked in to what was quite possibly the worst room I’ve ever been given in a nice hotel. Not only was it tiny, but we were surrounded on THREE sides (on either side of us and across the hall) by the housekeeping supply rooms (which would normally not be an issue at all but for the constant – and I mean every three minutes – door slamming in every direction) AND directly across from the elevator.
I am normally someone who takes control but I was paralyzed with how to deal with this situation after a long day of travel – and was generally frustrated that they would put us or anyone in this room.
Luckily my husband who I refer to as “The Traveling Princess” because he is generally just along for the ride and rarely even knows where we are going let alone what hotel we are staying in, took this one for the team, worked some magic (always say please! and tips go a long way) with the hotel manager, and had us moved to a much improved room.
Normally, I am just glad to be in a nice hotel but in this case, the switch in rooms made all the difference in our stay.
Here are a few images of our upgraded room at the Splendido with a view of the sea, the resort and the tennis courts.
The best part of nice hotel rooms in my opinion is the luxurious bedding. I’ve tried to recreate them at my house and have included a few of my essentials for every bed. (And while we’re on the topic, I am without question a certified and unapologetic sheet and pillow snob – lol).
Happy Nesting!
Portofino Guide:
NIGHTLIFE – The piano bar at the Splendido is the the best nightlife in town.
(For proof see the last photo in this post.)
SUN – Spend the day at the Bagni Fiore Beach Club on the Terrazze Dior and have lunch at Langosteria (must have a reservation at both). This was by far our favorite day.
BOAT RIDE – We rented a little boat and captain which was fun. We made the mistake of going in the morning and it wasn’t hot enough yet to swim so I would recommend going early afternoon when it warms up for a late lunch at Ristorante Da Giorgio (no website; ask your concierge) and swim. The boat company we used is called Cesare Charter Portofino – I found them on the internet and communicated with them over What’s App. You meet the boat by a restaurant in the harbor which is very small and not hard to find. I stressed about this but shouldn’t have – super easy.
HIKE – hike down from the Splendido into the town and up to the church from the harbour. The views are spectacular.
RESTAURANTS: Most of the restaurants are down in the harbour area. Portofino is actually very small unlike some of the other Italian coastal cities. We kept seeing the same people over and over because there aren’t many hotels and restaurants. You only need 2-3 days here.
List: Ristorante Puny, Langosteria, da Il Gemelli, DaV Mare (this is a tasting course menu at the Splendido’s sister hotel, Splendido Mare – we don’t do tasting courses but for those who do, it looked very beautiful and was fully booked every night), Trattoria Concordia, Ristorante Da Giorgio (lunch). Again ask your concierge because some restaurants are very touristy.
SHOPPING – the shopping here is not great; mostly touristy shops with a few high end stores. This isn’t a place you go to for the shopping.
Bedding Essentials
Italian Brands: Sferra and Frette
French Brands: D. Porthault and Yves Delorme
American Brands – my favorites are Lands End (these are glorious and frequently on sale), Matouk, Serena & Lily, and West Elm
And you really need this luxurious cotton blanket and pillows from Cuddledown
My favorites are linked here.
Here’s to more fun travels with Todd and my family and friends in 2025!