Best food & drink

1. Botanist

A celebration of Ligurian flavours with a refined, contemporary touch. Meals are rooted in simplicity and seasonality, allowing the quality of the ingredients to really shine which is the restaurant’s main ethos. Luckily, I timed my stay just right as it was white truffle season. Fresh pasta, sprinkled with copious amounts of white truffle, beautifully presented and utterly delicious. Breakfasts are also served here and enjoyed with pool views as you can sit outside under the white umbrellas if the weather is just right. The buffet spread includes fresh fruit, pastries, local cheeses and perfectly brewed coffee. You can also choose a hot dish from a menu each morning. Whatever the mealtime, the relaxed vibe carries through to the restaurant but service remains impeccable.

2. Liquid

Liquid is the hotel’s bar on the ground floor which serves up carefully curated cocktails or if vino is more your thing, they have a great selection to match both your mood and your meals. If no bar seats are available, you can enjoy your tipple in the reception lounge or outside in the gardens. On this occasion, I enjoyed a glass of bubbles and had more bubbles with my dinner but the cocktails did look impressive.

Stay

Rooms at Capitolo Riviera echo the hues of the coastline beyond. Neutral walls and tone, soft white linens, natural materials and clean architectural lines all help to create a space that feels both luxurious and grounding. Large windows and terraces frame colourful rooftops and sea views. My room featured a large balcony from which I could see the sea on the horizon and to the right, the hillside backdrop. As dusk settled in, an aperitif (which was wine kindly left for me when I checked in) on the balcony before dinner was a must. The beds are some of the comfiest I’ve slept in in recent times and bathrooms are very chic making my usual nightly routine even more of a pleasure. I was almost sad that I wasn’t a beauty blogger as the warm lighting and earthy tones were the ideal setting for a GRWM!

The atmosphere throughout the property is super relaxed as guests drift between their rooms, lounge, pool, spa and restaurant. There’s a quiet confidence to Capitolo Riviera that makes you feel cared for without ever feeling managed. By the end of the first day after an early morning flight, I felt completely at ease and already lighter than when I arrived.

Explore

Being set within beautifully designed, landscaped gardens, the hotel invites us to wander around the olive trees and Mediterranean plant life and appreciate the green surroundings. The hotel is also adorned with gorgeous hanging greenery which draws your eye and highlights the architectural design of the building itself. There are plenty of quiet corners to sit with a book or put your feet up to enjoy an afternoon with family and friends in a comfortable outdoor chair under the palm trees with some drinks and food.

Capitolo Riviera is perfectly positioned for discovering both the cultural depth of Genoa and the charm of the nearby seaside towns. A short drive takes you into Genoa’s historic centre, one of the largest medieval old towns in Europe. Here, narrow roads wind between grand palazzi, lively piazzas and centuries-old churches. Exploring the city offers a wonderful contrast to the calm of the hotel. Highlights include the UNESCO-listed Palazzi dei Rolli, the striking Porto Antico waterfront and the impressive Genoa Aquarium.

Various walking routes along the coast offer scenic viewpoints over the Ligurian Sea, ideal for early morning or golden hour strolls. Whether you choose to explore by car, on foot or simply by following the coastline, the sense of place is unmistakable.