The Mediterranean
Iconic stays: check in to the 5 most legendary Mediterranean hotels
Find an iconic Mediterranean hotel for your next stay
We have journeyed across the Mediterranean to find the most iconic stays in France, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Portugal. Our selection includes a mix of seasoned grand dames, rich with history and avant-garde accommodations that reflect the uncompromising style of their architects. Each hotel or destination boasts a unique character, offering an experience that is as surprising as it is memorable. Whether it’s a historic villa, a chic modern retreat or a picturesque seaside residence, these stays promise to enchant and inspire. Discover the Mediterranean’s finest, where every location offers a distinctive charm and an unexpected delight.
Overview: The Med’s top 5 iconic stays
01
Hotel Parco dei Principi di Sorrento
Hotel Parco dei Principi di Sorrento, designed by none other than Gio Ponti and boasts a striking architectural style with original 1960s furniture and decor. It features a three-hectare botanical garden with rare plants and romantic spots like the Bridge of Love and the Temple of Venus. Enjoy the Gio Ponti Restaurant with its panoramic sea views and the beachfront Poggio Siracusa for their seafood specialities. The Blu Bar offers a relaxed ambiance with Gio Ponti’s ceramic designs. The hotel provides a saltwater pool, a fitness centre and of course free Wi-Fi. The rooms, many with sea views, are decorated in blue and white tiles and furnished with Ponti’s iconic designs.
Hotel Parco dei Principi di Sorrento
Via Bernardino Rota, 44
Sorrento
Italy
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Photography courtesy of Le Mas Candille
02
La Colombe d’Or
La Colombe d’Or in Saint-Paul de Vence is a historic hotel that blends Provençal charm with an impressive modern art collection. The hotel has a colourful past and has gone through several interesting phases since its inception as a 3 room inn, in the 1920s. The hotel of today features 13 individually decorated rooms and 12 apartments, each offering a unique blend of comfort and style. As a guest, you will enjoy Mediterranean cuisine at the on-site restaurant, led by Chef Hervé Roy, with dishes inspired by traditional Provençal cooking, surrounded by the presence of artworks from renowned artists like Picasso and Matisse. Facilities include a swimming pool, a bar, a terrace and private parking. The hotel’s ambiance and historical significance make it a unique destination for art and culture lovers.
La Colombe d’Or
Place du Général de Gaulle
Saint-Paul-de-Vence
France
Photography courtesy of La Colombe d’Or
03
Hôtel Le Corbusier
Hotel Le Corbusier in Marseille is a unique establishment housed within the iconic Cité Radieuse, a masterpiece of modernist architecture by Le Corbusier. This UNESCO World Heritage site features 21 rooms designed with minimalist elegance, offering a range of options including cabin rooms, studios with sea views, and mini suites. The hotel’s restaurant, Le Ventre de l’Architecte, offers a gourmet menu that emphasizes quality and creativity, set in an environment that blends industrial design with vintage charm. Your stay will include amenities like a tennis court, garden and free Wi-Fi, making it a serene base for exploring Marseille’s attractions such as the Calanques and the Stade Vélodrome.
Hôtel Le Corbusier
280 Bd Michelet
Marseille
France
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Photography courtesy of Hôtel Le Corbusier
04
Hotel Il Pellicano
Hotel Il Pellicano in Porto Ercole is a celebrated icon of Italian coastal luxury, blending retro glamour with modern elegance. Its history dates back to 1965, when it was founded by Patricia and Michael Graham, and has since hosted illustrious guests like Kirk Douglas and Sophia Loren. Set on the Monte Argentario peninsula, this five-star hotel offers 50 exquisitely designed rooms and suites, each with sea or garden views and featuring terraces or balconies. The on-site Michelin-starred restaurant, Il Pellicano, crafts innovative Italian dishes by Chef Michelino Gioia. Another option is Pelligrill, a favourite for casual seaside dining. Unwind at the Beach Club with its heated seawater pool and private rocky beach accessible by a cliff-side elevator. The Pelliclub Health & Beauty offers a range of spa treatments, a fitness centre, and a boutique.
Hotel Il Pellicano
Località Sbarcatello
Porto Ercole
Italy
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Photography courtesy of Hotel Il Pellicano
05
La Muralla Roja
La Muralla Roja, located in Calpe, Spain, is a striking residential complex designed by the renowned architect Ricardo Bofill. Completed in 1973, this architectural gem features a labyrinthine design inspired by North African casbahs. The building’s vibrant red, pink, blue, and violet hues create a captivating visual contrast against the Mediterranean backdrop. It offers 50 apartments, including studios, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units, each with access to a communal rooftop pool and solarium. While not a hotel, La Muralla Roja provides unique stays, often listed on booking platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb.com. The complex includes amenities such as a sauna and a ground-floor restaurant.
La Muralla Roja
Manzanera, Calpe
Spain
Photography courtesy of Sebastian Weiss
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