Hotel Portofino: What Is It About & Is It Even Worth Watching?
Fasten your seat belts, we’re going southwards!
The genre of period drama has been enjoying its Renaissance over the past few years, and it’s proved by the glowing success of Netflix ’s Bridgerton.
However, what if we take a period show, set it in the Roaring 1920s and not in America or England, but in the very heart of Europe, on the magically alluring coast of Italy?
We’ll receive BritBox’s must-see show titled Hotel Portofino that focuses on a woman who runs a hotel for wealthy holidaymakers on the Italian Riviera. As she and her family try to navigate the business, they face deception, corruption and make some enemies.
This setting is extremely unique, as it promises not only depicting the gorgeous coastal landscapes, but also exploring the political turmoil brought on by the rise of Benito Mussolini's fascist movement and its shocking consequences for the locals.
The series blends family drama, tense thriller and, of course, crime elements, and be sure that the Godfather-like showdowns and charismatic bosses are really present here.
Besides, Hotel Portofino is still very much of a period show, with a lot of attributes of those distant times and its intrigues. It’s often compared to Downton Abbey and The Durrells in this respect, and it turns out all three shows premiered on the ITV channel.
Starring The Crown ’s Natascha McElhone, the series is a must-watch for fans of the mentioned period dramas and for those who dream of traveling to Italy too.
Where Is Hotel Portofino Filmed?
It may come as a surprise, but only a minor part of Hotel Portofino was really filmed in Portofino, Italy.
In fact, principal photography took place in Croatia (just like GoT and HotD), in Rijeka, Lovran and Rovinj, and this series became the country’s largest television production of 2022.
How Many Seasons Will There Be in Hotel Portofino?
While the first two seasons of Hotel Portofino were released in 2022 and 2023 respectively, we already know that the third one premieres this summer, on July 28, with episodes dropping weekly on Sundays through September 1.
It’s not yet clear whether the show will be renewed for Season 4 or not, let’s hope the upcoming episodes will gain enough viewership to allow the executives to do it.
Check out this underrated period gem, as Hotel Portofino is available for streaming on Prime and Apple TV+ .