More than a century ago, a magnificent summer home was built on the cliffs overlooking Portofino. Today, this grand private villa, now known as Villa Beatrice, embarks on a new chapter, reimagined by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio and offered for the first time by Belmond

A short stroll from the renowned Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino, Villa Beatrice stands as the bay's rarest gem, inviting guests to experience the refined yet relaxed spirit of an enchanted private hideaway. Spanning three floors, Villa Beatrice seamlessly blends architectural excellence, creative vision, and a profound connection to nature. Lush gardens cascade to the Mediterranean shore, preserving the ethereal beauty crafted by its earliest inhabitants for today’s discerning guests. Built in 1913 by much-coveted Tuscan architect Gino Coppedè for Ligurian entrepreneur Attilio Odero, the villa was conceived as a cherished retreat for summering friends and family, taking its cues from Art Nouveau and Gothic Revival architecture. Its distinctive silhouette, beguiling location, and breathtaking panoramic views have long made it a beloved clifftop landmark among Portofinesi.

Today, this five-suite villa is more than just a treasured hideaway; it is an alluring symbol of an age of glamour, promising the quintessentially Italian Villeggiatura. Guests enjoy the luxury of a 24-hour butler, a private chef, a yoga instructor, and a personal trainer. Its theatrical main terrace is perfectly suited for hosting up to 30 guests, making it ideal for grand entertaining or intimate gatherings.

An Architectural Masterpiece, Reimagined

Coppedè's original design for Villa Beatrice was a testament to his adventurous polymath spirit, fusing architecture, art, and sculpture. His imaginative outlook resulted in a building that masterfully riffs on various eras, including Art Nouveau, Neo-Renaissance, and Gothic Revival. Thoughtful details, from intricate stucco work and wrought iron motifs to whimsical frescoes, arched windows, marble columns, and a signature torretta, capture his artistic soul. This playful interpretation of historic eras and styles distinguishes Villa Beatrice from the region’s typical patrician villas.

In its latest chapter, the villa, originally known as Odero and later named after Beatrice, wife of one of its 20th-century owners, has been sensitively revitalized by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. The reimagined interiors are imbued with the relaxed yet refined European sensibility for which Brudnizki is renowned. Here, collected treasures effortlessly coexist with the work of local artisans, and architectural features are reframed through a well-travelled design eye. The Villa’s original internal frescoes and external geometric and floral murals have been meticulously restored. Terracotta and Graniglia alla Genovese grit marble flooring honor Italian heritage, while Palissandro blue marble exquisitely offsets original features in the bathrooms. Custom Italian textiles, produced at local mills, are thoughtfully incorporated throughout the furnishings.

Inspired by “the area’s heritage, a relaxed approach to luxury and by the Villa itself,” according to Brudnizki, the design schemes are notable for their inclusion of local auction and estate finds and artisan-crafted items. Bedside tables inlaid with Vienna straw pay homage to the iconic Chiavari chair, a regional invention prized for its straw components and lightweight nature. Ceramics from Albisola Superiore serve as elegant lamp bases and decorative plates, while surfaces have been playfully finished in scagliola, a Baroque technique that uses humble materials to imitate marble and stone. The Villa’s color palette draws inspiration from the town’s centuries-old paint box of greens, terracottas, sandy yellows, and lobster pinks. “We wanted guests to feel that they had been welcomed into a cherished family villa, lovingly enriched by successive generations,” says Martin. “Each element tells the story of the house itself.”

Embracing Nature: A Privileged Position

For over a century, Italy’s most influential figures, from industrialists to artists, have gathered at Villa Beatrice, where time is measured by the natural world – by the play of sun on the water, the scent of surrounding umbrella pines, afternoon shadows on a cotto antico floor, mellow evening rays on the first-floor terrace, or the early morning mist clinging to the hilltops. From this privileged position, amidst cascading gardens and with private sea access, visitors can commune with Portofino from a unique vantage point, bypassing familiar tropes in favor of an unfettered connection with nature and the original, uncomplicated essence of this Ligurian harbor town.

Perched high above Punta Caiega, expanding the hilled natural park and facing the sea, the villa commands breathtaking panoramic views over the Gulf of Tigullio, stretching from Paraggi and Cinque Terre in the east to Portofino in the west. A rare 360-degree perspective awaits from its signature Gothic torretta, offering guests astonishing sweeping views across the surrounding landscape.

Timeless Lifestyle Appeal

Villa Beatrice features four generous suites and living areas across three floors, complete with a showpiece curved main terrace, an ornamented bar, a furnished turret rooftop, a private plunge pool, and private sea access. Additionally, hidden within the Villa’s main garden, La Casetta is a charming Ligurian stone guest house featuring another bedroom, a second outdoor plunge pool, a vine-covered pergola, and a sun terrace. Nestled within a verdant estate, the Villa offers exclusive use and complete privacy while being just a short stroll from Splendido and its many offerings, including restaurants, bars, and the Dior spa – the first permanent one in Italy.

As Patrick Leigh Fermor, writer and scholar, once noted, “There are times when hours are more precious than diamonds.” Guests can pass those precious hours exactly as they wish at Villa Beatrice, whether seeking peaceful seclusion, enjoying memorable family time, gathering nearest and dearest for a special occasion, or marking a unique celebration. Tailored, inclusive experiences encompass in-villa cooking classes, gelato tasting, mixology and art lessons, a two-hour sunset cruise, and round-trip airport transfers. Additional options, such as sailing with a marine biologist or stargazing with an astronomer, are available by separate arrangement.

Time plays out differently at Villa Beatrice, where guests discover the freedom to reconnect with the natural world and with the rhythms of the season. These slow-paced, sun-drenched days are perfectly captured by this special home, whose doors are now open once more as its latest chapter begins.

Villa Beatrice marks Belmond’s third distinctive invitation to experience the Ligurian Riviera, joining the guesthouse charm of Splendido Mare, nestled in the vibrant piazzetta at the heart of the harbor, and the legendary Splendido, Portofino’s radiant stage. Together, this remarkable collection offers guests a seamless journey through the jewels of the region, providing an unrivalled taste of its beauty and allure.