Il Leccio - Luxury Resort Portofino Monte

Il Leccio - Luxury Resort Portofino Monte sits above Santa Margherita Ligure on the Ligurian coast, positioned between Genoa and the Portofino headland in a part of Italy where the hills drop sharply into the sea. As an adults-only five-star resort with a rating of 9.0 across 66 reviews, it draws guests who come specifically for the landscape and the pace it imposes — slow, deliberate, oriented around water and outdoor activity rather than urban sightseeing.

The property is built around access to the natural environment. Two outdoor pools anchor the grounds, and the resort organizes diving, snorkeling, canoeing, windsurfing, and fishing for guests who want to engage directly with the Ligurian Sea. Those who prefer land have hiking trails, bike tours, and walking tours available, with a golf course reachable within two miles. The terrace, garden, solarium, and sun deck serve guests who simply want to remain still in good light. A restaurant, bar, coffee house, and room service mean that meals can be taken at whatever pace the day requires, with special diet meals available on request.

Guests arriving by car will find on-site parking straightforward — useful given that the coastal roads around Santa Margherita Ligure offer limited stopping options and the resort's hillside position makes street parking impractical. The shuttle service connects the property to the surrounding area for those who prefer not to drive the bends. Rooms are soundproofed and include private check-in and check-out, which suits guests who want to arrive on their own schedule; check-in opens at 14:00, and the morning checkout at 12:30 leaves enough time for a final swim or a late breakfast on the terrace before departure.