HOTEL VIS Á VIS
HOTEL VIS À VIS offers guests direct and uncompromising panoramas of the Gulf of Tigullio, from the Portofino cape to the Sestri Levante peninsula. This property offers the kind of location and views one only imagines in dreams, and it embodies the immense love of three generations bound by the extraordinary vision of Giacomo De Nicolai, the family patriarch, and his beloved wife, Flora. Giacomo spent a considerable part of his early life visiting the world’s best hotels and ocean liners—at the time, one of the best ways to travel. This accumulated appreciation of the best of land and sea inspired his design for Hotel Vis à Vis as a “vessel on dry land,” with vistas extending down from its prevailing hilltop location toward the Mediterranean. In keeping with the ocean liner theme, the rooms are small and basic, but each offers balcony or private garden views, with the junior suites offering the loveliest panoramas.
Two foot paths lead directly from the hotel: one traverses the old Roman road and affords magnificent sea views, while the other enables a quick descent directly into the charming fishing village of Sestri Levante and its unique shops, bakeries, cafés, and restaurants, including Hotel Vis à Vis’s supreme Portobello Beach Restaurant & Bar. Overlooking the beach of the beautiful Bay of Silence, Portobello is a dreamy and romantic spot where native Chef Daniel Sanguineti’s cuisine takes on a refreshing bold approach to classic Ligurian dishes. Staying true to the land, he crafts imaginative recipes artfully rich in Mediterranean flavors all perfectly paired with wines. Standouts include Sformatino di Riso all’Astice Affumicato su Zuppetta di Calamaretti al Pomodoro Fresco (smoked lobster rice flan on soup of squid with fresh tomatoes), perfectly complimented by a glass of Vermentino Colli di Luni DOC Etichetta Nera.