The Downton Abbey withdrawal cure
If you’ve finished Downton Abbey and The Gilded Age and find yourself staring at a blank screen, Hotel Portofino exists specifically to fill that void. It’s a classic "scenery first" production. While the writing doesn't always match the high-gloss production values, the show understands exactly what its audience wants: crisp linen suits, sun-drenched Italian terraces, and people having very polite, very tense conversations over gin and tonics.
It’s effectively a high-end travel brochure with a plot. If your family enjoys dramas where the location is as much a character as the actors, this is a safe bet. But don't expect the razor-sharp wit of a Maggie Smith character; the dialogue here is much more straightforward and, as some critics have noted, occasionally a bit flat.
The "creeping" history lesson
The most interesting thing about Hotel Portofino isn't the hotel management—it’s the politics. Set in 1926, the show captures the exact moment when Mussolini’s brand of fascism wasn't just a political movement but was becoming a social requirement.
For a teenager who finds history textbooks dry, this show offers a visceral look at how authoritarianism actually starts. It isn't always a sudden coup; sometimes it’s just a local official making "suggestions" or a subtle change in how neighbors treat each other. It’s a great pick for a kid who is interested in the interwar period or the social dynamics of 1920s Europe. It moves the focus away from the trenches of WWI and into the messy, complicated aftermath of trying to find "normalcy" when the world is shifting under your feet.
Why the "17+" rating is a bit of a head-scratcher
Common Sense Media gives this a 17+ rating, which might make you think you’re in for Euphoria levels of intensity. You aren't. That rating likely stems from the complexity of the adult themes—infidelity, the grim realities of political oppression, and some period-typical "adult" vices—rather than graphic content.
There is some moderate profanity and plenty of smoking and drinking, which was the oxygen of the 1920s elite, but it never feels gratuitous. The real reason a younger teen might bail on this isn't because it’s "too mature," but because it’s slow. If your kid is used to the breakneck pacing of modern streaming hits, the "banal" storytelling critics mention will be the biggest barrier to entry. This is a "put the phone down and actually watch" kind of show, not something you can half-watch while scrolling TikTok.
If you’re on the fence
Think of this as a "gateway" period drama. It’s not as dense as some PBS Masterpiece offerings, and the mystery elements keep the plot moving when the character development stalls. It’s a solid choice for a Sunday night watch with an older teen who appreciates a specific aesthetic and doesn't mind a story that takes its time to get where it's going. Just don't expect it to change your life—it’s a beautiful postcard, not a manifesto.
