Simply being near the Mediterranean Sea is enough to lift the spirit and calm the mind, while watching the waves roll in beneath cloudless azzure skies is truly balm for the soul. Of course, Italy is renowned for its glamorous five-star hotels and coastal resorts, but something is shifting. A holistic move that embraces art and inspiration as part of the luxury hospitality experience.
Culture and creativity are coming to the fore, with hotels collaborating with architects and local artisans to create spaces that offer not only ultimate comfort but also creativity, vibrancy, and spirit. Guests today seek environments that inspire them to think, not just relax in the traditional sense. Interiors that are thought-provoking yet serene and that provide a sense of stillness.
Discerning modern travellers are opting for something fresher, more contemporary and design-led. More in line with their modern home-life ethos, uncomplicated, streamlined and sleek. Hotels that inspire and refresh the mind, both in function and form and that deliver exceptional service yet in an understated and seamless way. This elusive balance is captured effortlessly in a few Italian coastal properties that deliver classic luxury seamlessly aligned with a contemporary sense of calm.
Hotel Mediterraneo, Sorrento From the private lemon gardens to the subterranean spa and stunning sea views. Hotel Mediterraneo Sorrento blends classic charm with contemporary chic. The rooftop Sky Bar and Vesuvius restaurant have the most striking vistas of the Bay of Vesuvius, while spacious suites and rooms boast interiors that are both restful and uplifting.
The restaurant features modern artwork by Neapolitan artist Gennaro Regina, and the hotel is filled with Mediterranean notes in textiles, ceramics, and chandeliers that reflect Sorrento's coastal colours.
Hotel Plaza e de Russie, Viareggio
The striking interiors at Hotel Plaza e de Russie in Viareggio mirror the Mediterranean's coastal palette. All rooms boast the hotel’s unmistakable style, each with its own character, featuring a sophisticated harmony of precious fabrics, warm understated tones, and details that embody the essence of Italian design.
Reflections of the sea appear in original sculptures, artworks, and vibrant textiles. Geometric designs and high-fashion influences add a bold and glamorous aesthetic to the property. At the heart of the hotel is its impressive gastronomic offering at Michelin-starred restaurant Lunasia.
Europa Palace, San Remo
A harmonious blend of history and heritage, combined with a fresh sense of contemporary charm.
A 70-room, design-led hotel, Europa Palace features exceptional architecture, with many unique, original art and sculptural installations that give the interior a gallery-esque quality. For example, the Olive Tree overturned installation in the Rêve Bistrot and the sculpture "Le acciughe fanno il pallone" by Paolo Albertelli and Mariagrazia Abbado situated on the hotel’s façade.
Europa Palace is a celebration of authentic Italian style with interiors featuring iconic Italian brands such as Flos, Marazzi, Moroso, Molteni, Davide Groppi, and iGuzzini.
