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Hotel Il Pellicano
Hotel Il Pellicano
Hotel Il Pellicano

26

Hotel Il Pellicano

Porto Ercole

A Tuscan hideaway steeped in dolce vita charm

From a love story to a legend: Conceived in 1965 out of the romance between British aviator Michael Graham and American socialite Patsy Daszel, Il Pellicano found its home on a hidden cove of Monte Argentario. Born as a discreet private club, it soon evolved into a landmark of Italian hospitality, and in 1979 entrepreneur Roberto Sciò embraced its quiet glamour, becoming its new custodian. Today CEO Marie-Louise Sciò carries that legacy forward, blending its original charm with a fresh, contemporary edge that keeps la dolce vita alive.

Celebrity clientele: For decades Il Pellicano has been a magnet for the worlds of design, fashion and film, attracting luminaries such as Charlie Chaplin, Henry Fonda, Gianni Agnelli and Slim Aarons. In 2025 the hotel marked its 60th year with a seaside celebration to remember, where supermodels, tennis champions and actors joined the Sciò family as designer Matthew Robbins staged the night and DJ Paul Harris spun the sunset into music.

Set the scene: Bougainvillea spill over sun-drenched terraces, the deep blues of the Tyrrhenian merge with the easy elegance of the Maremma, and the Beach Club's signature white and yellow stripes flicker in the breeze. Between the heated seawater pool and the terraced private beach, guests surrender to the rhythmic hush of the tide, a fresh drink in hand. Those who wander the trails climbing the Argentario's slopes are rewarded with the most cinematic panorama of all.

What about the rooms? Fifty rooms, suites and cottages designed by Marie-Louise Sciò blend terracotta floors, exposed beams and natural fabrics into the elegance of a Tuscan villa. Signature Suites such as the Argentario with private pool, or the Pellicano with its secluded garden, offer generous space, while guests choose to rest between the silvery light of olive groves or the glow of a romantic sunset over the sea.

And to eat? Chef Michelino Gioia gives voice to the land at Ristorante Il Pellicano, where local ingredients become riots of colour and delicate flavour. The more casual Pelligrill, set beside the pool and the Beach Club, celebrates the day's catch and regional classics. Aperitivo hour begins with the timeless cocktails of Bar Roberto, while the Bar All'Aperto pours signatures such as the Pelican Martini.

Wellness and leisure: The intimate Pelliclub offers a calidarium, private treatment suites for singles or couples and a beauty salon. Guests fill their days with tennis among the cypresses, sunrise yoga, boat trips and snorkeling, or a round at nearby Golf Club Argentario, a Tuscan paradise where the art of slow living continues to flourish.

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