THE ART OF REVIVAL

From a five-star escape frequented by Elizabeth Taylor and all of her husbands to a monastery plundered by pirates turned into Portofino's most coveted address, these historic hotels in Europe have recently undergone spectacular renovations 

- Coco Marett

It’s a funny thing to reminisce about an era you never lived in. And yet, many travellers (Tatler included) find themselves romanticising the bygone glamour of travel in Europe. Perhaps it’s a desire to return to the simple things such as the timeless joys that the region does so well. After all, in that corner of the world, pleasure is not a privilege, but an essential part of life: conversations over wine under the shade of citrus trees, days spent—never wasted—doing nothing but soaking up the sun, or carving through the French Riviera’s azure waters while on a vintage speedboat.

Often at the heart of these experiences is a fabulous hotel; and Europe is home to many. We explore some that have been recently reimagined without losing the classic touches that have made them icons for decades or, in some cases, centuries.

HOTEL LA PALMA CAPRI, ITALY

When a hotel renovation involves slashing the number of guest rooms from 80 to 50, it’s obvious that quality and comfort have taken precedence over all else. This is what UK-based designer Francis Sultana did when he was tasked with transforming Capri’s most iconic hotel—a bold move considering this was Sultana’s inaugural hotel project.