Hotel Il Pellicano, Porto Ercole

Tuscany has long been famous for its rolling hills and world-class vineyards – but Monte Argentario is the secret you’ve all been missing out on. A place where verdant hillsides roll away into sparkling seas and the sun warms the shores, it’s no surprise that it has long been a favorite of Italian high society. But what everyone is flocking here for, isn’t necessarily this island-like enclave itself, but Hotel Il Pellicano. A glamorous retreat nestled above a private stretch of shore, its 50 Tuscan chic rooms and suites and Michelin-starred restaurant make this the ultimate Italian getaway.

Location

Nestled between Tuscany and Lazio, Florence and Rome, Monte Argentario really is the best of both worlds. Just outside the glitz and super yachts of Porto Ercole, a mere two-hour drive from Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Hotel Il Pellicano makes itself at home amid the calm of the cypress trees and the breeze of the sea. Out on the terrace of Pelligrill, with a signature Pelican Martini in hand and watching the sun go down, you’ll soon realize why the jet-set didn’t want to share.

Your Room

Masters of tasteful luxury, the 50 rooms and suites at Il Pellicano artfully combine Italian antiques with designer ornaments and modern fabrics to create a space that is at once luxurious but, at the same time, relaxed and inviting. We loved the Double Sea View rooms with their flower-draped terraces, perfect for lazy breakfasts in the sun, whilst for something a touch more special, the Master Deluxe Suites took our breath away. Flooded with sunlight and opening up onto a private garden overlooking the Tuscan archipelago, these suites are your own slice of paradise.

Why we like it

There is nothing quite like summer at Il Pellicano. Drenched in sun and surrounded by glittering waters, the Il Pellicano Beach Club is easily one of the chic-est summer hangouts for those in the know. A heated seawater pool teeters over crystal clear waters below and is surrounded by comfortable loungers and white parasols to create a scene straight out of 1950s dolce vita. Whether paddling in the waters, soaking up some rays or whizzing past on water skis, do it all with an Aperol Spritz in hand courtesy of the ever-attentive beach staff. All that’s left to do is hire a boat and sail off into the sunset.