Housed in a striking former family villa – with a rich history dating back to the Duke of Zoagli – Hotel Byron has been fully renovated yet retains much of its regal charm. And although it opened at the beginning of the 20th century, it still feels like a wonderfully well-guarded secret. The lucky few who’ve found it come here for golden age high society glamour with a fresh twist. You’ll find walls of rambling roses and an outdoor pool, Tuscan cuisine interlaced with flavour from Chef Trapani’s Campania homeland, and two exclusive beach clubs on the doorstep. Charming staff, including a very well-connected CEO, arrange private boat trips to the glittering Cinque Terre, visits to artists’ studios or to the area’s famed quarries where sculptor Michelangelo sourced his marble.

Rooms are modern with crisp Italian touches: local Carrara marble in bathrooms and artisanal comforts from Florentine perfumer Dr. Vranjes. Crowning the villa, the Penthouse Suite’s outdoor terrace and rotating bed means morning views across misty mountains and evening vistas as the sun dips into the sea.