Hotel Portofino

The Durrells meets Downton (but not quite on a par with either of those just yet) in this new Britbox series following a British family who open the Hotel Portofino on the Italian Riviera in the 1920's, starring Natascha McElhone.

It's very watchable, helped by the beautiful setting with Croatia doubling for Italy. Production values were OK and the large cast were good, everyone seemed to be 'rather attractive'. Its definitely a traditional period show pitched at an older audience but there's no harm in that, though critics will probably disagree.

I rather liked it. The opening episode had an awful lot of characters to introduce and consequently was a bit too slow moving but the pace picked up as the series developed and there were some interesting plots and themes.

Not an instant classic, but as a light drama in a beautiful setting it does what is says on the tin. A diverting watch for cold Winter evenings.

Multiple storylines; too many, in fact. Perhaps if the characters were not cut from the same piece of cloth we might have a watchable series. The setting is gorgeous, if a little too polished and artificial, but it's not enough to makeup for tepid writing and cookie cutter characters.

If you want a really binge-worthy experience, try the Spanish series, Grand Hotel.

My Review - Hotel Portofino - Streaming on Foxtel

My Rating 6.5 /10

Wonderful scenery filmed on location in Portofino, Italy as well as Rijeka, Lovran, and Rovinj, Croatia and some impressive performances in my opinion are spoiled by a muddy and lack lustre script.

Just when you think it may take off it crash lands on some odd unexplained plot line that centres around one of the many characters to include the seemingly necessary forbidden subjects of the time illegitimacy, homosexuality, infidelity and domestic violence plus the usual class snobbery and romantic trysts .

I can't fathom why this series has already been picked up for an encore season while Julian Fellowes fine period series Belgravia looks like it won't have an encore?

The quality and detail that Julian Fellowes the creator of Downton Abbey , Belgravia and The Gilded Age are missing in Hotel Portofino . The creator and script writer Matt Baker and Director Adam Wimpenny have missed the opportunity to develop a storyline that is worthy of the fine cast .

This period drama series set in the era of Mussolini's Italian riviera in 1926, Hotel Portofino tells the story of matriarch Bella Ainsworth, who has relocated to Italy . Bella has opened a fine hotel that she wishes to be a home from home for wealthy English travellers.

As well as demanding guests, she struggles to contend with an errant husband, and being blackmailed by the local fascist politician.

Natascha McElhone is delightful as Bella Ainsworth the hotel proprietress who struggles with a boorish and domineering husband while trying to keep the Hotel Portofino operating .

The delightful talents of Anna Chancellor as Lady Latchmere are wasted as she could have been used as effectively as Dame Maggie Smith was in her role as Violet Crawley Dowager Countess of Grantham . Her character has a few eccentric one liners and only features in a brief plot twist at the end.

I did enjoy Oliver Dench as Lucian Ainsworth looks like he is following in his Aunt Judi's thespian footsteps.

His character role as the son of Bella and totally unpleasant father Cecil who taunts him about his artistic temperament I thought was the best developed but even it fizzled out at the end .

I'll follow Oliver Dench's career with interest at only 27 years old I think we will see more of this fine actor.

If you want some light entertainment in beautiful settings I'm sure you'll enjoy Hotel Portofino .

I enjoyed the more contemporary sensational trashier thriller series Riviera much more because even though it was high dynasty melodrama the characters interested me and until it got silly and off the rails in Season 3.

Enjoyed watching Hotel Portofino. Beautiful setting and when relaxing down having time to oneself with a lovely cup of tea this is just right to watch.

Only 20 reviews? That's a bit poor. Anyway I liked this, its not nor does it try to be wildly groundbreaking. The charactors and well drawn and engaging all performances strong, some will say its cliche but really what does that mean. There are typical traits to be portrayed and this is done with care and in a genuine heartfelt way. Cecil is a great cad though we see his soft underbelly, loved Melissa she was the perfect pre debutante, best giggly, silly endearing girl in a period piece I think Ive ever seen in a very long time, Claudine was excellent, Lucien an absolute delight along with Nish, no one over-did their portrayal, staying within character confines which was awesome.

Def hope there's a Season 3.

Oh and gosh so beautiful visually. Well done all.