Grand Hotel Miramare

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. The beauty of the landscape embracing the Grand Hotel Miramare is a work of art to admire all year round.

With the sky-blue shutters thrown open on to a sun-drenched day, the view over the bay runs from the headland of Punta Mesco – a cherished haunt of poet Eugenio Montale, with the Cinque Terre hiding behind – to Sestri Levante, Chiavari, Zoagli and then Rapallo.

Close by, Punta Pagana with its castle and villa is the residence of the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller. Meanwhile, old Montallegro sanctuary presides over Tigullio Bay from its splendid panoramic position 600 metres up among some lovely chestnut and pine woods.

HISTORY
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.

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.

TIGULLIO SUITE
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.

PORTOFINO SUITE
Unique of its kind this corner suite offer an incomparable view of the Portofino bay and hill, the extensive panoramic terrace furnished with comfortable sunbeds look on the pool and the Mediterranean garden of the estate to the highest point of the sentimental walk on the right.

The intimate and elegant sitting room with a red sofa offer some picture from the owner’s art collection. The very large marble bathroom features a generous-sized tub. This suite can be connected to a superior double room with park view, to create a two-bedroom suite proposal.

MARCONI SUITE
Unique and historical suite located on the first floor just above the Miramare’s grand panoramic terrace, dedicated to the renowned scientist Guglielmo Marconi, where staying there in 1933 he successfully transmitted the first ever radiotelegraphy and radiotelephony signal.

This suite is elegantly furnished, featuring a major work from the owner’s private collection; there are two marble bathrooms, the larger one feature a separate bathtub and shower. The Marconi suite lounge offer a sea-view balcony.

DELUXE
All our 36 Deluxe rooms have a sea view, and some boast a balcony with a spectacular panorama across the bay. Each one is individually furnished in a classic, elegant style with exquisite contemporary touches; some form communicating pairs.

RESTAURANTS & BARS
At the Miramare, it finds expression in a range of thoughtful courtesies large and small, to make each guest feel relaxed and at home, free to savour the joys of good living.

Whether it is the simple pleasure of an al fresco drink – on the terrace or by the pool – or sampling the delights of the delicious Ligurian cuisine at your table in the Vistamare restaurant, these are unmissable opportunities, and non-residents can enjoy them, too.

Inside, the style exudes the understated elegance of a hotel where luxury is a mark of distinction and class; outside, the breathtaking natural setting does the rest. All food & beverage outlets, except for the American Bar “Le Colonne” terrace and the pool gazebo, are NON SMOKING.

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.

POOL RESTAURANT & BAR
At the Miramare, the spirit of the place fills the air along with the fragrance of the sea and the gardens, like oxygen for the soul. This atmosphere reigns supreme especially at the poolside bar and restaurant.

Guests can savour it from June to September at the wrought-iron tables while the large windows are open or in the shade of the climbing plants in the elegant pergola, the Berceau.

The view takes in the spectacular pool, the glinting sea, and the Mediterranean garden in the background, with oleanders and succulent beds edged by low dry-stone walls. A dream oasis for a cocktail or summer lunch, the Pool Bar nestles harmoniously in its all-embracing natural setting.

A beautiful hanging garden ingeniously created on the roof minimises its visual impact from the rooms looking towards Portofino. It is open from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm, when the Le Colonne Bar takes over for the evening service.

BAR LE COLONNE
This exquisite haven of charm is a real joy for interior-design aficionados. The bar counter was made with altar panels in a colour that sets the tone for the rest of the décor. The columns that give the bar its name are a feature of the terrace area with the white wrought-iron tables and chairs.

It makes an inviting spot for an aperitif or snack with magnificent views across the bay, from the headland of Punta Mesco – a cherished haunt of poet Eugenio Montale, with the Cinque Terre hiding behind – to Sestri Levante, Chiavari, Zoagli and then Rapallo.

Close by, Punta Pagana with its castle and villa is the residence of the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller. Service begins at 5.30 pm from June and September, when the Pool Bar is open.

BARRACUDA PIANO BAR
Named after the glorious bathing beach and nightclub that raised the roof in the 1950s and ’60s, a favourite high-society haunt on the Italian and French Riviera, the Barracuda is now a contemporary piano bar with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and strictly after-dark mood.

It is an ideal place for an aperitif, a glass or two of wine, or a nightcap for those times of year when outdoors is not the most inviting place to be. The wonderful setting bears the unmistakable signature of artist and set designer Lele Luzzati.

His cream-coloured lounge with intimate upholstered alcoves suffused in soft light from the armed sconces exudes a stylish New York jazz bar theme. On the walls, look out for the photos of the Barracuda’s celebrity visitors, a select gallery of the history of Italian chic.

BARRACUDA BEACH RESTAURANT
In all its unspoiled beauty, the sea charmingly frames the Barracuda Beach Restaurant. Existing since 1949, a famous nightclub hosting the best Italian Jazz set orchestras back then, the place was turned into a restaurant with an exquisite Mediterranean style.

It was designed and furnished elegantly by Fabio D’Amato, who took inspiration from his homeland, Salento, to create a space with delicate and warm colors, teak tables and rattan chairs, and light and fluttering curtains which create a contrast with the pebbles of the beach and the blue of the sea.

The Barracuda Beach Restaurant is the perfect place to taste the best seasonal ingredients, typical of the Ligurian tradition, revisited by Chef Vincenzo Candia, or to enjoy a drink in the relaxing ambience of the panoramic lounge.

RELAX
Plunged into a scenic context, the Grand Hotel Miramare offers to its guests a pleasant and relaxing stay. The perfect ingredients for a special and unforgettable holiday.

Here, the day is marked by precious moments: from the breakfast on the seafront terrace, to the time spent in the seawater pool surrounded by a Mediterranean garden, to a visit to the Miramare Beach, where you can sunbathe and enjoy the seaside whilst planning a rejuvenating treatment at the e’SPA’ce Wellness Center.

BEACH
The historic bathing facilities, the Bagni Miramare, directly in front of the hotel are famous throughout the riviera from Rapallo to Portofino. Access is free for GHM guests.

SWIMMING POOL
Heated when the season demands, the superb seawater pool with its unmistakeably 1970s curved form is immersed in a marvellous setting where the rugged vegetation-laced cliffs plunge into the azure of the waves.

The Mediterranean garden provides the backdrop, with oleanders and succulent beds edged by low dry-stone walls. In pride of place, the Berceau, a shady pergola of intertwined American vines, is the ideal corner for cocktails or a light summer lunch, with the immaculate yet informal Pool Bar service.

Open from 9 am to 6 pm from mid April to mid October, it offers comfortable loungers with sun umbrellas and terry towels, plus the attentions of its dedicated staff.

E’SPA’CE
Replenishing energy, easing away tension, improving your appearance. Look after your body and mind at the Grand Hotel Miramare e’SPA’ce with our special sensorial take on wellbeing.

We offer total immersion in a soothing ambience shaped by natural materials and diffused lighting with background music and sound to help guests relax and enjoy their treatments to the full, in our therapists’ expert hands.

There is an ample array of beauty rituals for the face and body plus a series of dedicated aesthetic options – for her, for him or for two. The centre is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm, and all services are also available to non-residents.

PARK & GARDEN
There is more than just the sea at the GHM, immersed as it is in a gorgeous natural setting. There are a host of options for relaxing body and mind, with an array of fragrances and colours, not to mention a wide choice of food and drink to enjoy at your own al fresco table.

The glorious garden sweeps up in a series of terraces from the rear of the hotel towards the lower slopes of Mount Portofino.

It conserves a fine selection of the native tree species that have always graced the region’s historic gardens, as palms, olives, maritime pines and cedars of Lebanon rise over the shrubs and the flowering hydrangeas, irises and rockery plants.

In this haven of romantic moods, the lovely Sentimental Walk starts from the century-old red camelia bushes and leads right up to the highest point of the estate. The delightful route is sprinkled with enchanting vistas over the pool, the sea, the Mediterranean garden and the hanging garden created on the roof of the poolside restaurant.

SPORT
Santa Margherita Ligure offers a wide choice of sporting activities: sailing, yachting, diving and canoeing, if your playground of choice is the sea; golf, trekking, running, tennis and horse riding if you prefer terra firma.

Right here at the Miramare, you can savour a vigorous dip in the pool, take swimming lessons (on payment, on request), or enjoy a free aquarobics session from the beach in front of the hotel.

GOLF & TENNIS
Grand Hotel Miramare guests can use the facilities at the Rapallo Golf and Tennis Club. The 18-hole, 110-acre course enjoys a beautiful leafy setting that forms the habitat for a great many species of bird.

The surroundings are quite breathtaking, especially on hole 7, with the unique and unforgettable views of old Valle Christi monastery. Rapallo Golf Club is certified disabled-friendly.

SAILING
Santa Margherita Ligure Sailing Club, based at the Casa del Mare on the Calata del Porto waterfront, has been holding regattas and meetings of national and international renown since 1952. It organises the Pirelli – Coppa Carlo Negri regattas jointly with the Italian Yacht Club (YCI) and the annual Dinghy and Laser class Tigullio Championship.

It is also behind the Lui & Lei, a Dinghy classic for one-man-one-woman crews, and the Nonno & Nipote, where seasoned helmsmen sail with their neophyte grandson or -daughter.

DIVING
Santa Margherita Ligure and the neighbouring towns have several diving centres offering courses and guided tours of the magnificent seabeds in the Portofino Natural Protected Marine Area. The area’s 3 protected zones span about 8 miles of coast. The shape of the seabed is fascinating here, with sheer walls and an extraordinary wealth of underwater life.

In particular, Zone B – from Portofino’s Punta del Faro to Punta Chiappa, in the village of San Rocco di Camogli – is the divers’ favourite, with its thriving marine wildlife, especially the array of animal species and the riot of violescent sea-whip.

This is also where you can find the remarkable submerged bronze statue, the Christ of the Abyss. For safety reasons and to safeguard the environment, these places can be explored only with an authorised guide.

TREKKING
With its 50 miles of paths roaming through 3,700 acres of fine country, Portofino Park is a real paradise for all hiking enthusiasts. Its varied trails offer both relaxing, easy strolls and real challenges for dedicated trekkers.

Suitably armed with stout walking boots, you can explore the dense network of paths to discover wild landscapes and panoramic viewpoints, stunning cliffs and beautiful bays, passing through rural hamlets and coastal villages awash with art and history.

And the flora in Portofino Park counts over 900 species. The Portofino promontory enjoys an especially mild climate, making it an ideal walking destination all year round.

RUNNING ON THE SEASIDE
Santa Margherita Ligure has been on the calendar for Italian and European runners and trailers for some years now.

The “Two Pearls” International Half Marathon in February and the Portofino Trail in November are unmissable for lovers of running in beautiful surroundings. A quick jog along the coastline will explain why.

WEDDINGS
There are places you encounter in your life that never leave you, that keep taking you back to that unique, unforgettable first frisson of emotion.

The sea, the gardens, the flowers, the pool: an enchanting backdrop for that longed-for dream – the “I do!” that deserves only the finest setting, lovingly prepared in every delightful detail. For your wedding at the Grand Hotel Miramare, all you need is your love; let us take care of the rest.

MEETINGS
The Miramare conference centre has been a magnet for MICE tourism since 1970. Home to the meetings of the Confindustria young industrialists group for over 40 years, this is a much sought-after location for its prestigious, well-equipped spaces and convenient vehicle access for setting up.

The Miramare conference centre offers 6 rooms. The largest, the Portofino, can seat up to 380. The versatile modular spaces offer elegant, practical solutions for hosting all kinds of event, from exhibitions and conventions to banquets.

MIRAMART ART COLLECTION
Welcome to miramART, a non profit association created by Grand Hotel Miramare, which main aim is to support the contemporary art culture.

As miramART we organize activities such as exhibitions and conferences, inviting collectors, gallerists and artists and last but not least, we are working on a contemporary art collection to be permanently exhibited in the hotel premises.

SANTA MARGHERITA LIGURE
The GRAND HOTEL MIRAMARE is in Santa Margherita Ligure, panoramically situated between Rapallo and Portofino.

Easily reached by all means of transport, the MIRAMARE is the ideal base from which to explore the coast and hinterland of the Tigullio area, which includes enchanting Portofino and the natural treasures of the Nature Park and Protected Marine Area, the fascinating coastal towns on the Golfo Paradiso, and the Cinque Terre (Unesco World Heritage).

ART & CULTURE
The beauty of the landscape embracing the Grand Hotel Miramare is a work of art to admire all year round.

With the sky-blue shutters thrown open on to a sun-drenched day, the view over the bay runs from the headland of Punta Mesco – a cherished haunt of poet Eugenio Montale, with the Cinque Terre hiding behind – to Sestri Levante, Chiavari, Zoagli and then Rapallo.

Close by, Punta Pagana with its castle and villa is the residence of the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller. Meanwhile, old Montallegro sanctuary presides over Tigullio Bay from its splendid panoramic position 600 metres up among some lovely chestnut and pine woods.

VILLA DURAZZO
The area around the GRAND HOTEL MIRAMARE has other buildings in harmony with the landscape. At Santa Margherita, for example, there’s the 17th century Villa Durazzo, with its sumptuous interior décor, its stucco work and marble, statues and paintings and its spectacular park. It’s a venue for musical and literary events and it also offers guided tours.

ABBAZIA DELLA CERVARA
A kilometre and a half from the GRAND HOTEL MIRAMARE, the Abbazia di San Girolamo at Monte di Portofino, known as the Abbazia della Cervara, is another treasury of art, culture and nature, and is ranked among the 76 Grandi Giardini d’Italia.

In its 700 or so years of history, it has welcomed saints, poets, kings, men of religion and science.

ABBAZIA DI SAN FRUTTUOSO
Not far from the GRAND HOTEL MIRAMARE is the Abbazia di San Fruttuoso, one of the marvels of the Ligurian coastline. It can be reached by boat or along the beautiful paths crossing Monte di Portofino. Belonging to FAI, Fondo Ambiente Italiano, the thousand year old abbey is open to the public (opening hours vary from season to season).

CRISTO DEGLI ABISSI
The Cristo degli Abissi is a bronze statue laid at a depth of 15 metres on the bed of the Bay of San Fruttuoso within the Portofino Protected Marine Nature Reserve. Restored in 2003 to preserve it against corrosion, the statue is 2.5 metres tall and is visited by divers from all over the world.

NATURE & SURROUNDINGS
The Portofino Regional Nature Park is a paradise for walkers, at a stone’s throw from the MIRAMARE. Dozens of kilometres of paths, breathtaking panoramic spots, an extraordinarily rich biodiversity both above and below the surface of the sea, traces of former agricultural settlements, fishing villages, places of historical and cultural interest. Enjoy!

SANTA MARGHERITA LIGURE
Santa Margherita Ligure, the “Pearl of the Tigullio”, is one of the most prestigious holiday resorts in Italy. Its appeal lies in an urban landscape that blends beautifully into the natural one, in its night clubs, its boutiques and its places of historical interest, such as Villa Durazzo Centurione and the 16th century castle.

PORTOFINO
5 kilometres from Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino, with its Piazzetta, its painted façades, its villas and castle and its harbour is synonymous with high society and glamour. But perhaps not everyone knows that the tiny church of San Giorgio contains relics of the saint carried there by Portofino sailors returning from the Crusades.

CAMOGLI
10 kilometres from Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli, the “Gem of the Golfo Paradiso” or “City of the thousand white sailing ships”, is one of the most famous and best preserved old ports in Italy. Visitors to this village of sailors and fishermen are struck by the pastel coloured houses, the beach, its festivals and the panoramic views from its high ground.

PUNTA CHIAPPA
The walk from San Rocco di Camogli to the rocky Punta Chiappa (12 kilometres from Santa Margherita Ligure) is one of the most moving outdoor experiences to be had on the Riviera. It’s reached by 900 steps down through the green woodland. Punta Chiappa is great for swimming, snorkelling and admiring the views. Return to Camogli is by boat.

RAPALLO
4 kilometres from Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo is the main city on the Gulf of Tigullio. Its seafront castle, and civic emblem, was built in 1551 to defend against Saracen pirates. Of religious interest is the Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montallegro (16th century), at 612 metres above the sea, reached by the only aerial tramway in service in Liguria.

SESTRI LEVANTE
At 28 kilometres from Santa Margherita Ligure, Sestri Levante is known as the city of two seas. A narrow isthmus, in fact, separates the suggestive Bay of Silence from the Bay of Fairy Stories, so named after Hans Christian Andersen, whose stay in the town is celebrated every year in an important festival of children’s literature.

PORTOVENERE
95 kilometres from Santa Margherita Ligure, Portovenere, pearl of the Gulf of Poets, with the Cinque Terre and the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, is a Unesco Human Heritage site. The magical church of San Pietro (once a temple to Venus), the Doria Castle (12th century), the old centre and the grottoes are must-see attractions of the place.

ISOLA PALMARIA
95 kilometres from Santa Margherita Ligure. The Island of Palmaria, together with Portovenere, the Cinque Terre and the islets Tino and Tinetto, is a Unesco Human Heritage site. A narrow strait separates it from Portovenere. On the west coast, characterized by high cliffs, are the Grotta Azzurra and Grotta dei Colombi, which can be reached by boat or with ropes.

CINQUE TERRE
At 94 km from Santa Margherita Ligure, Le Cinque Terre, with Portovenere and the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, are a Unesco Human Heritage site and a National Park and Protected Marine Area. The townships of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are linked by the famous Via dell’Amore between cliffs and terraced vineyards.

GENOVA
At 43 kilometres from Santa Margherita Ligure, Genoa, the capital of Liguria, has an astonishing wealth of architectural and cultural attractions. The Palazzi dei Rolli, in Europe’s biggest historical centre, form a Unesco Human Heritage site. The city’s Aquarium, in the old port, is one of the biggest collections of aquatic biodiversity in the world.

Rooms: 78

Price: from 331 EUR per night

Source: www.grandhotelmiramare.it