The Italian Riviera is a paradise, even in the unsettled year 1926. The English Ainsworth family opens here a charming hotel for their compatriots who have dared to travel but are not ready to part with English habits. The hostess Bella Ainsworth pours all her heart and soul into it, hoping that this will help the family not only to put their finances in order but also to heal the wounds inflicted by World War I. However, the demanding guests do not allow relaxation; among the locals there are loyal adherents of Mussolini, and simply shady characters. But the most treacherous may well prove to be Bella's husband Cecil Ainsworth, a spendthrift, who is seeking a wealthy bride for his son and any other sources of easy profit.