Hotel Bristol Palace.

Opened in 1905, Hotel Bristol Palace is a definitive landmark of Genoa’s Belle Époque era. Its Art Nouveau architecture is anchored by a breathtaking elliptical staircase that reportedly served as the visual inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock’s cinematic aesthetics. Inside, the design leans into high-drama elegance with frescoes, stuccos, and polished marble preserved through careful renovations. The 133 rooms are soundproofed and traditional, balancing antique woodwork with modern necessities. Dining takes place in the ornate Giotto’s Restaurant, where guests eat beneath original ceiling paintings or on the terrace during warmer months. Located just steps from Piazza de Ferrari and the Palazzo Ducale, it remains the city’s most storied stay for those who prefer old-world grandeur over minimalist modernism.