Owned by the Belmond Group (LVMH), this mythical establishment located near the Amalfi Coast needed a little freshening up. While the world-famous destination is picture perfect, some of the local establishments might need to step up their game. Having made their mark with the very successful Rochechouart Hotel in Paris or the Roches Rouges in St Raphaël, Festen Architecture (founded by Say Who regulars Charlotte de Tonnac and Hugo Sauzay) was commissioned to carry out the reviving of the Splendido Mare. And let’s just say that these undertakings are not easy to carry out. The duo made a point of putting forward local know-how while keeping modern trends in mind. The establishment’s design – modest at first – was inspired by the sea nearby (one could say its walls are almost touching the water). The marine inspiration is seen in the materials used, such as rope and varnished wood, to which Festen gave their own interpretation. Add a touch of marble and terra-cotta, and you’ll get the typical Amalfi experience. Finally, the beautiful fabrics of Loro Piana and some pieces of Italian furniture from the 1930s to 1970s come as a nod to the region’s history, a time when the place was still a small harbor for a few people in the know…