Reviving Rich Italian Heritage at Hotel Windsor

When Original Alessandro Sironi, creative director Alice Muzzioli, and architect Simone Subitoni joined forces to revive a building that stood disused for 15 years in the northwest Italian region of Liguria, they took their local surroundings and cultural heritage as inspiration. Following the masters of Novecento Italiano, an artistic movement founded in Milan in the 1920s, they envisioned the building’s renovation according to a poetic rationalism filled with innovative shapes and colors—not unlike those seen in artworks by Franco Albini, Ignazio Gardella, and Giò Ponti. Their vision has now been realized and is open for guests to experience at the new Hotel Windsor, marking Sironi’s second Italian property following Filario Hotel & Residences on the shores of Lake Como.

At Hotel Windsor, the Novecento Italiano is reimagined through high-quality materials, including marble-effect stone, geometric boiserie, and brass detailing, all of which underline a neutral color palette of beiges and browns. This simplicity allows for individual design pieces—including lighting by Davide Groppi, sunbeds by Kettal, and seating by Cassina, Living Divani, de Padova, and Bonacina—to make bold statements and for the colors of Laigueglia and the Mediterranean to shine. Occasional pops of color appear throughout the hotel in sculptures made by Enrica Vulcno and Maurizio Orrico, a designer and artist respectively, who were inspired by traditional Sicilian teste di moro, or “moor’s heads,” which they recreated with northern motifs. Southern decorative features like pinecones and leaves, for example, were replaced with artichokes and zucchinis—rendered in fluorescent yellow, turquoise, and brick red.

An emphasis on art is also highlighted in the guest accommodations, with each of the 25 rooms and one suite featuring abstract paintings by Michelle Quieroz. With the unique pieces of art on view, each room has a distinct identity, but the overarching atmosphere was inspired by the golden age of the Ligurian Riviera: the 1960s. The original geometric details of the building are complemented by the abstract artworks and neutral tones of the walls and flooring, as well as the newly created geometries found in bespoke furniture and design pieces. Highlights include Cassina’s PA’ 1947 mid-century modern console desk designed by Ico Parisi and the 699 Superleggera, a chair designed by Giò Ponti that has been in production since 1957. All textiles and furniture materials found in the hotel were made in Italy, and the toiletries are also from the Milan-based perfumery Culti.

The seafront, ground level Windsor Restaurant and Windsor Bar also honor the region through their menus. Be it for the casual lunch or fine-dining dinner menu, Windsor Restaurant highlights ingredients from the region—seafood caught in the Ligurian Sea, Albenga artichokes, and trombetta zucchinis, among much else—to offer a medley of seasonal, traditional, and contemporary Italian cuisine. The options at Windsor Bar include classic drinks and signature cocktails crafted with local gins and liquors, plus Vermentino and Pigato wines as well as hidden gems from around the country. Moreover, the restaurant and bar are interconnected through an open-plan layout, including an open kitchen and large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea. Combined together with the hotel’s lobby, they create a sense of informal relaxation, enjoyment, and indulgence.

Elsewhere, guests can rewind in the property’s library and peruse a selection of books on design and local sights and histories. A private sandy beach, referred to as Bagni Windsor, features 80 sunbeds and 40 custom umbrellas that extend the ethos of the property, providing guests with ample space to unwind and enjoy the calm waters of the Mediterranean. Retro-style inflatables and stand-up paddleboards complete the experience. There is also a gym for guest use in a detached building accessed via a neighboring vico—a traditional type of alleyway in the center of Italian towns.

Location
Laigueglia is an ancient fisherman’s beach town that has been known primarily for villeggiatura—extended summer family holidays—since the beginning of the 20th century. Its winding streets are lined with vibrantly colored, centuries-old buildings, backdropped by lush mountains to the west and shimmering waters of the Mediterranean to the east. As such, there are numerous opportunities for water- and land-based activities, including kayaking, stand-up-paddleboarding, hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling. The car-free town is only a 20-minute walk from the neighboring town of Alassio, which offers an abundance of restaurants, boutiques, and nightlife venues. Located only an hour’s drive from the French and Monaco borders, the nearest airports are Genova and Nice.