Grand Hotel Miramare, Italy

Pure Luxury

A genuine icon of hospitality, class of 1903, the Grand Hotel Miramare glided serenely through the 20th century with all its charm and allure intact and, indeed, enhanced. The pivotal moment came after World War II, when Milanese entrepreneur Giovanni Fustinoni acquired the hotel in 1945 and set to work with his wife, Franca, to turn it into a legendary haunt frequented by the Italian and international jet set. The name of its bathing beach and nightclub, the Barracuda, lives on, a celebrity hotspot in the ’50s and ’60s for all the high society of the Italian and French Riviere.

Before then, another memorable milestone in the GHM annals happened in August 1933, when Guglielmo Marconi transmitted the first radiotelegraphy and radiotelephony signal in history from the hotel terrace.

Now as then, talk of Santa Margherita Ligure turns inevitably to the Miramare, a place that is simply unmissable or, in the chic French idiom, incontournable.

A grand Art Nouveau building, gleaming white in the sun between Tigullio Bay and the century-old gardens stretching out below Mount Portofino.

This is where a noble hospitality heritage is offered afresh, in a harmonious contemporary style.

Welcome to the “Mira”, as owner Andrea Fustinoni affectionately calls the family hotel – elegant as a private residence with its welcoming luxurious glow, where tradition is a cherished inspiration for the here and now.

Vistamare Restaurant

Sky blue sets the mood in this Art Nouveau space that opens on to the terrace for panoramic summer views. This is the perfect setting for the culinary creations of Chef Claudio Fortuna, a cuisine of elegant simplicity that celebrates the finest ingredients through the cycle of the seasons, without ever overwhelming the palate.

Served on impeccable linen tablecloths washed and ironed in house, his dishes blend the Ligurian tradition with interesting international influences, on an endless quest for original, supreme-quality products.

The Vistamare welcomes guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner, except from June to September, when it is usually closed at midday for guests to enjoy the chance of a poolside lunch.

Santa Margherita Suite

This particular corner suite offers from one side an extensive terrace with panoramic views towards Villa Durazzo and the evocative little port of Santa and on the other side of the bedroom a large balcony looking on the wonderful park of the property.

In the elegant living room, over a beautiful purple velvet sofa stands out a contemporary artwork from Andrea Fustinoni’s personal collection. The suite offers two Carrara marble bathrooms with bathtub and separate shower cabin. This suite can be connected to a deluxe double room with sea view, to create a two-bedroom suite proposal.

This apartment’s stunning pièce de résistance is the wraparound balcony and the extensive panoramic terrace furnished with 180° views over the Tigullio Bay from Santa Margherita all around towards Portofino bay: the sea, as far as the eye can see.

The French windows in the elegant living room and bedroom give easy access to the outside, for a sublime sensation of freedom.

There are two marble bathrooms with a beautiful bathtub and a separate shower cabin.