Grand Hotel Bristol Spa Resort, by R Collection Hotels

Eight terraced floors above the Ligurian coast between Santa Margherita and Portofino village, this five-star property commands an unbroken sea view from nearly every room — a geometry that cheaper hillside hotels on the same stretch rarely achieve.

The spa anchors the lower level with indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi, while a private beach area with loungers and umbrellas sits directly below. Water activities run broad: snorkeling, diving, canoeing, and fishing are all bookable through the tour desk. A tennis court and fitness center handle land-based routines, and bicycle rental opens up the coastal path toward Camogli.

The restaurant leans into Ligurian seafood with themed dinners and live music on select evenings; the bar runs a daily happy hour. Cooking classes offer a hands-on local-culture angle rarely found at resort-scale properties on this bay.