Hotel Il Pellicano
tuscany, italy · ★★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
Il Pellicano is the cliffside Tuscan coastal icon — built in 1965 above Porto Ercole on the Argentario peninsula by British aristocrat Patsy Daszel and her American lover Michael Graham, run as a personal house for sixty years now under Roberto Sciò's family ownership, and the single most photographed coastal hotel in Italy. Slim Aarons spent his Italian summers here documenting Gianni Agnelli, Charlie Chaplin and Audrey Hepburn at the cliffside saltwater pool — the resulting photographs (now framed throughout the hotel and reproduced in the cult Slim Aarons Il Pellicano monograph) defined a generation of Mediterranean-glamour aesthetics. The property is unusual among Tuscan honeymoon hotels in being a coastal property — Tuscany's coastline is rocky, scrubby and quiet rather than beach-resort bright, and Pellicano sits on a Mediterranean macchia hillside above its private rocky bathing platform with steps directly into the deep blue water below. The 50 rooms are scattered across the cliffside in restored fishermen's cottages and modern suites, all with sea views, and the dining is anchored at Il Pellicano restaurant (one Michelin star) with a tasting menu of Maremman seafood and Tuscan classics. For honeymoon couples wanting the cinematic Italian Riviera glamour without the Amalfi crowds — and a coastal alternative to the inland Tuscan estate honeymoons — Il Pellicano is unmatched.
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- ✓Want direct beach access
- ✓Are willing to invest in once-in-a-lifetime
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Have a budget under $1,000/night
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
90/100
Book Your Stay
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At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
The Cliffside Suites in the original 1965 villa have private terraces hanging directly above the Tyrrhenian Sea with panoramic views toward Giglio Island — the strongest single rooms on the property. The Pelican Pool Suites near the cliffside saltwater pool have direct pool access and the iconic Slim Aarons setting. For maximum privacy, the standalone Garden Suites in the upper hillside have private gardens and outdoor showers. Avoid the entry-level Hillside Rooms if budget allows — the cliffside placement is the property's whole argument and a Hillside Room loses the sea view that defines it.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Room (7 nights avg $2,950/nt) | $20,650 |
| Flights (2 pax, economy/premium) | $1,800 |
| Airport transfers / seaplane | $200 |
| Dining & drinks (beyond room) | $30,975 |
| Excursions & experiences | $700 |
| Spa / signature treatments | $300 |
| Tips & service (8%) | $4,130 |
| Total estimated | $58,755 |
Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Arrival in Rome & Drive to Porto Ercole
Fly into Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and drive 90 minutes north along the SS1 Aurelia to the Monte Argentario peninsula. Arrive at Il Pellicano in the late afternoon for prosecco aperitivo on the cliffside terrace, a tour of the original 1965 villa and the Slim Aarons photograph wall, and a first dinner at the Pellicano restaurant (one Michelin star) with the seasonal tasting menu paired with a coastal Maremman white.
Cliffside Pool Day & Slim Aarons Photo Setup
A long morning at the cliffside saltwater pool — the original Slim Aarons location, with steps directly into the deep blue Tyrrhenian below. Lunch at Pelicano Beach (the casual cliffside restaurant) with grilled octopus and Maremman bistecca. Afternoon snorkel from the rocky bathing platform, then a couples massage at the spa using sea salt and Tuscan herbs. Sunset aperitivo on the cliffside terrace — the cinematic Pellicano moment.
Boat Day to Giglio & Giannutri Islands
A full-day private boat charter (the hotel runs a fleet of vintage Riva and modern day-yachts) along the Tuscan archipelago — to Giglio Island for lunch at La Vecchia Pergola in Giglio Castello, then snorkeling around the protected marine area of Giannutri Island with its rare Mediterranean monk seals and crystal-clear water. Return to Pellicano for sunset on the cliffside and a casual dinner at Pelicano Beach.
Maremma Hilltop Day Trip
A drive 90 minutes north into the Maremma hill country — the Etruscan tombs at Tarquinia, lunch at La Bandita Townhouse in Pitigliano (the medieval tufa-rock 'Little Jerusalem' city), and an afternoon at the thermal pools of Saturnia (the famous waterfalls of warm sulphur water). Return along the Maremma coast as the light goes golden. Quiet dinner back at Pellicano.
Spa Day & Argentario Drive
A morning at the spa with the signature Mediterranean ritual using sea salt and rosemary, then lunch at Pelicano Beach. Afternoon drive 30 minutes around the Monte Argentario peninsula — Porto Santo Stefano on the north side for harbor cocktails, the Forte Stella above for sunset views across the Tyrrhenian. Evening dinner at the Pellicano restaurant with the chef's tasting menu paired with a Maremman wine flight.
Florence Day Trip via Pisa
An optional long day for a Florence visit — drive 2h30 north along the SS1 to Florence for a pre-booked Uffizi morning slot, lunch at Trattoria Mario, and a Ponte Vecchio afternoon. Or alternatively, a closer day in Saturnia and the medieval villages of Sovana and Sorano. Return to Pellicano for a final candlelit dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant.
Cliffside Breakfast & Departure
Breakfast on the suite terrace with the Tyrrhenian view, a final swim from the cliffside pool, and a late checkout. Drive back to Rome Fiumicino (90 minutes) or continue inland for a stay in the Tuscan countryside. Many couples report Pellicano felt timeless — the kind of hotel where one week genuinely feels like a month, in the best way.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
Il Pellicano's beach is a rocky bathing platform with steps into deep water, not a sandy beach — beautiful and dramatic but unsuitable for couples wanting a long sand walk; nearby Feniglia is the closest sandy beach (15 minutes by car).
The hotel is genuinely on a cliffside — the property has stairs and elevators connecting tiers, and couples with mobility concerns should request lower-tier rooms near the main building.
Porto Ercole is a working fishing village without the boutique-shopping scene of Portofino or Capri — couples wanting a strong town atmosphere will find it modest.
The hotel typically closes early November through late March; the May-October window is the entire season.
Coastal Tuscany is windy in shoulder months — the cliffside terrace can be cool in May and October evenings; pack a light cashmere or pashmina.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon inquiry — Hotel Il Pellicano Dear Il Pellicano reservations team, We are planning our honeymoon [DATE]-[DATE] and are interested in a Cliffside Suite [or Pelican Pool Suite]. Please advise on availability, dinner reservations at the Pellicano restaurant, the honeymoon package, the boat charter to Giglio, and any complimentary inclusions for honeymoon couples. Thank you, [Your names]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Good for honeymooners?
Il Pellicano is one of the most cinematic coastal honeymoon hotels in Italy — the cliffside saltwater pool, the Slim Aarons aesthetic legacy, the Michelin-starred restaurant, and the private rocky bathing platform. Honeymooners are a significant share of the guest mix, especially May–June and September. The property's timeless 1965 atmosphere skews heavily adult and couples.
Best time to visit?
Mid-May through June and mid-September through October are the strongest windows — warm sea, calm cliffside terraces, and the Slim Aarons light. July and August are full-summer (29°C+) but the busiest weeks. The hotel closes early November through late March.
Book in advance?
Only 50 rooms — book 6 to 9 months ahead for peak season (June, July, September). Cliffside Suites and Pelican Pool Suites book first. The Slim Aarons connection means honeymooners and design-conscious travellers compete for the same dates.
Adults-only?
Il Pellicano is not adults-only and welcomes families, but the cliffside topography, the design-forward atmosphere, and the dining focus mean honeymoon couples and adult parties dominate the guest mix. The cliffside pool and the Pellicano restaurant are adult-quiet.
Best room type?
Cliffside Suites for the panoramic Tyrrhenian view and the original 1965 villa character. Pelican Pool Suites for the iconic Slim Aarons setting and direct pool access. Avoid Hillside Rooms if budget allows — the cliffside placement is the entire point.
How to get there?
Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is 90 minutes by rental car; Florence (FLR) is 2h30 north; Pisa (PSA) is 2 hours northwest. The hotel arranges private transfers from any. A rental car is recommended for day trips into the Maremma hill country and Saturnia.
Same Vibe, Different Destination
