Il Pellicano

Beautiful — but missing heart and soul: Il Pellicano, Porto Ercole There is no denying that Il Pellicano is a stunning property — iconic views, cinematic glamour, and a slice of old-school Italian seaside luxury. However, after staying at the Rosewood in Tuscany immediately before, our expectations were high — and Il Pellicano simply didn’t measure up where it matters most: service, comfort, and soul. Despite the ultra-premium price tag and boutique size, the staff felt like a team of overworked seasonal hires — the same faces covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner service — exhausted and constantly forgetting our names and room number. For a hotel in this category, those small touches of warmth and personalization are everything, and they were noticeably absent. The week we stayed was scorching, and the air-conditioning in our room never worked properly — leaving us sweating and waking repeatedly throughout the night. Plunging into the sea each afternoon was essential just to cool down — yet bizarrely, the hotel only had two foam noodles available for guests. For a property of this caliber, investing in a dozen so everyone can comfortably float in the sea on hot days seems like an obvious (and inexpensive) solution. There was no appearance of the owner or even a general manager presence anywhere on property, which perhaps explains why the place feels like it’s running on autopilot. Dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant was very good — but once again hampered by the tired, lackluster waitstaff. The requirement to pre-order the €60 Margherita pizza one day in advance at the lunch restaurant felt totally absurd (we skipped it). Spa treatments were perfectly acceptable, but forgettable. The hotel boutique, however, is fabulous and absolutely worth a visit. In short: Il Pellicano remains a gorgeous destination and an important name in Italian luxury, but it feels like a legend resting on its reputation. Without a stronger heartbeat, modern hospitality mindset, and refreshed leadership on site, it risks becoming a beautiful relic rather than a world-class experience.

The hotel is aesthetically pleasing; however, the service provided is merely average and the costs are exorbitantly high. The shuttle service to a nearby village, located just 15 minutes from the hotel, is priced at 120 euros, which is quite unreasonable. Spa treatments exceed 300 euros and do not offer anything extraordinary. I have experienced superior spa hotels worldwide, none of which were as costly as this one. Moreover, the presence of bees poses a significant inconvenience, as they prevent guests from enjoying breakfast or lunch at certain times. The bathroom is excessively humid and lacks proper ventilation, resulting in it becoming drenched after showering. Furthermore, the beds emit a damp odor. Given the premium pricing, the margin for error should be nonexistent; unfortunately, this standard is not met.

I traveled to Il Pellicano with my 2 adult daughters. We stayed in a garden suite that was so spacious and comfortable and had a beautiful courtyard too. This is by far my favorite hotel. The service is exceptional. You don’t feel like you’re staying in a resort, but in your own villa. Within the first day the servers remember everything, what type of water you drink, what coffee you prefer, what sun lounger do you like? I mean, everything. The food is incredible. From the apertivo bites, to the beach side found to the restaurants it’s all delicious, fresh and expertly prepared. We did a cooking class where Chef Paolo taught us how to make pasta. We had the help of our server Christian who translated for us and we had so much fun. I hope to return here…. Many times !

Before arrival, check-in was postponed from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., but fortunately the room was ready on time. For such a legendary hotel, a refresh is overdue. The suite had a breathtaking view, but felt dated — lighting, décor, minibar, and amenities all need modernisation. Other Italian properties manage to retain charm while upgrading; here, everything seems frozen in time. Dining Night 1: Excellent Michelin-starred dinner. Night 2: Grill restaurant — good but far from exceptional for this category. Organisation “Club Med” approach: first come, first served for sunbeds or prime tables. Guests stake out spots at 7 a.m., leaving areas half-empty for hours. True dolce farniente is hard to enjoy when you’re racing for the best locations. Terraced sunbeds require walking to the bar to order drinks — a simple call button (as at Eden Roc) would be more fitting. Positives • Boutique with refined, fashion-forward items (though parasols shown online weren’t available on-site). • Superb tennis court. • Simple but efficient gym, too small at peak times. Areas for improvement • Room not up to luxury standards or the claimed authenticity. • Aperitif bar plagued by burnt coffee smell used to repel insects — less intrusive options exist. • Very limited non-alcoholic drink choice. • Pianist plays indoors by the toilets while guests sit outside; a portable piano outdoors (as Belmond does) would create better atmosphere. • General modernisation needed: furniture, outdoor seating, corridor carpets, bathroom amenities, minibar, welcome gifts, and aperitif tapas (currently large salami/parmesan chunks and uncovered burrata attracting bees). • Spa waxing treatment was meticulous, but lacked proper lighting, ambiance, and audio system — plain décor, music via Bose speaker with “low battery” warning. Other notes Similar lack of modernity observed at sister property La Posta Vecchia two years ago — austere room, abandoned feel, though excellent fine dining. On multiple occasions, non-hotel guests set up fishing rods and coolers right in front of us on the beach — surprising for a luxury property. In summary Il Pellicano has undeniable charm and an exceptional location, but an upgrade is essential to meet today’s international standards. Authenticity can be preserved while offering more comfort and service. Social media paints a dream, but the reality falls short.

This was my third stay at Il Pellicano, and it continues to be one of the most special places I’ve ever visited. The setting is stunning, the atmosphere is peaceful, and the service is consistently warm and attentive. There is a quiet luxury to everything here; never flashy, always intentional. It’s a place for those who want to slow down, reconnect with themselves or someone they love, and sink into something truly special. We’ve already booked our return for next summer, and I suspect we’ll be coming back for many years to come. If you are looking for peace, romance, beauty, and world-class hospitality, Il Pellicano is heaven on earth.

How can a 5 star hotel dictate to you what to eat on a Monday.?? This highly rated and expensive hotel did. Due to their own decision on sustainability they decide for the guests that no Meat will be served on a Monday.!!!! They do allow you to ask for meat however,they have special vegetarian menus only. Surely a hotel of this type should allow their gusts to decide what and when they want to eat and not be dictated to. Apart from above the hotel was adequate