Perched high above the shimmering Gulf of Tigullio, where the verdant hills of Liguria tumble toward the sapphire embrace of the Mediterranean, Villa Beatrice makes its breathtaking debut under the discerning aegis of Belmond. This storied residence, built in 1913 for Ligurian magnate Attilio Odero, was once a theatre of decadent summer fêtes, echoing with laughter, clinking glasses, and the salt-kissed whispers of sea breezes.
Today, after a soulful restoration by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, Villa Beatrice emerges as the crown jewel of Belmond’s Ligurian portfolio—a place where heritage architecture and poetic modern luxury entwine effortlessly. It is more than a villa; it is a hymn to villeggiatura, that distinctly Italian art of leisurely summering, and an invitation to experience time unspooled.
A Playful Masterpiece on the Riviera
Villa Beatrice is a triumph of architectural audacity. Conceived by Tuscan polymath Gino Coppedè, the villa pirouettes through eras and styles—Art Nouveau flourishes, Gothic Revival drama, hints of Neo-Renaissance romance—embodied in arched windows, marble columns, intricate stuccos, and that signature whimsical torretta offering a 360-degree embrace of the Ligurian coast.
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Inside, Brudnizki has choreographed interiors that blend cosmopolitan ease with deep regional reverence. Local auction finds and custom-made Italian textiles play alongside restored frescoes and scagliola surfaces that cheekily mimic marble. Ceramics from nearby Albisola Superiore adorn bedside tables inlaid with Vienna straw—a nod to the Chiavari chairs born just up the coast. The color palette sings with sunbaked greens, terracottas, and delicate lobster pinks, conjuring the pastel patchwork of Ligurian fishing hamlets.
Life in a Sun-Dappled Rhythm
Here, time is measured not by clocks but by nature’s gentle theatrics: golden light slipping across ancient cotto floors, the perfume of umbrella pines drifting through open terraces, the hush of dusk settling over Portofino’s twinkling harbour far below. Guests can linger in the five resplendent suites or gather on the grand curved terrace—perfect for intimate soirées under the stars. A private plunge pool beckons for lazy afternoons, while discreet pathways lead to hidden nooks, secret gardens, and a second plunge pool at La Casetta, the vine-wrapped guesthouse tucked within the grounds.
Moments unfold luxuriously unhurried: a sunrise yoga session by the Mediterranean, a gelato tasting curated by local artisans, an evening of stargazing with an astronomer, or sailing these storied waters alongside a marine biologist. It’s a place where every experience is tailored yet unforced, allowing guests to slip into the villa’s gentle cadence and write their own chapter in its century-long story.
