Porto Ercole, Italy
Hotel Il Pellicano
Iconic getaway on the Tuscan coast
What it is
An exclusive coastal getaway with a 1960’s La Dolce Vita ambiance.
What it isn't
Child-friendly: The hotel does not accommodate kids eight and under.
What we think
Il Pellicano revives the sparkling allure of cinema’s golden age. Located in scenic Porto Ercole, the hotel was the product of a fairy-tale union between aviator Michael Graham and American socialite Patsy Daszel in the 50’s, whose love of the area led them to establish a club for their glitzy friends. Today’s guests enjoy seafront rooms; a beach club that has entertained the great names of film; and an array of posh activities such as polo, waterskiing and island-hopping on one of the hotel’s private boats. The hotel spills down a small cliff, with rooms and suites overlooking the pool and the azure Tyrrhenian Sea beyond. Two restaurants serve exquisite Tuscan cuisine to guests returning from a day spent soaking in the sun or thundering down the polo field—Il Pellicano has the edge for its veranda, perfectly positioned for Tuscan sunsets.
You're here because
You want to hit the Italian trifecta: the pleasures of Tuscan food and wine, a glorious waterfront setting and a strong dose of old-school glamour.
The Moment
After an afternoon kitesurfing lesson in nearby Talamone, you pour a glass of Sassicaia Super-Tuscan, lean against the balcony railing and toast la dolce vita.
Restaurants & Bars
Il Pellicano - 1 Michelin star, gourmet cuisine
Pelligrill - Tuscan cuisine, open lunch & dinner
bar all'aperto (bartender Federico Morosi)
Location
Atop a flower-bedecked cliff in Porto Ercole, on the Monte Argentario Peninsula, two minutes away from the beach. Rome’s Fiumicino airport is a scenic 90-minute drive.