Villa Beatrice begins a new chapter with Belmond

Reimagined by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio and only a short stroll from Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino, Villa Beatrice now stands as the bay’s rarest gem. Following a sensitive restoration, the property – the first of its kind in Belmond’s portfolio – offers guests the opportunity to experience the refined yet relaxed spirit of an enchanted private hideaway for themselves.

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Spanning three floors, the villa blends architectural excellence, creative vision, and a deep connection to nature – brought to life through the visionary work of landscape architect, Marco Bay. Lush gardens cascade to the Mediterranean shore, preserving the ethereal beauty crafted by its earliest inhabitants for today’s guests to enjoy.

Taking its cue from Art Nouveau and Gothic Revival architecture, the villa, built in 1913, is a clifftop landmark, beloved by Portofinesi for its distinctive silhouette, beguiling location and breathtaking panoramic views of the bay. Conceived by much-coveted Tuscan architect Gino Coppedè, the villa was built for Ligurian entrepreneur Attilio Odero, with the intention of providing a cherished retreat for summering friends and family.

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Today, complete with 24-hour butler, chef, yoga instructor and personal trainer, plus a theatrical main terrace that hosts up to 30 guests, the five-suite villa is both a treasured hideaway – promising the quintessentially Italian Villeggiatura – and an alluring symbol of an age of glamour.

Coppedè’s design fuses architecture, art and sculpture – fitting for an adventurous polymath who was sculptor, decorator and architect combined. His imaginative outlook resulted in a building that riffs on a number of eras, including Art Nouveau, Neo-Renaissance and Gothic Revival, while thoughtful details, from intricate stucco work and wrought iron motifs to whimsical frescoes, arched windows, marble columns and a signature torretta, capture his artistic spirit. As a result, Villa Beatrice stands apart from the region’s typical patrician villas – distinguished instead by its playful interpretation of historic eras and styles.

In its latest chapter, the Villa, originally known as Odero and lately named after Beatrice, wife of one of its 20th century owners, has been revitalised by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. The reimagined interiors are infused with the relaxed yet refined European sensibility the designer is known for, where collected treasures sit easily with the work of local artisans and architectural features are reframed by a well-travelled design eye.

The Villa’s original internal frescoes and external geometric and floral murals have been restored, while terracotta and Graniglia alla Genovese grit marble flooring honours Italian heritage. Palissandro blue marble offsets original features in the bathrooms, and custom Italian textiles, produced at local mills, are seen throughout in furnishings.

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Inspired by ‘the area’s heritage, a relaxed approach to luxury and by the Villa itself,’ according to Brudnizki, schemes are noted for their local auction and estate finds and artisan- crafted items. Bedside tables inlaid with Vienna straw pay homage to the iconic Chiavari chair, invented in the region and prized for its straw components and lightweight nature. Ceramics from Albisola Superiore appear as 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.

Meanwhile, the Villa’s colour 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,” said Brudnizki, “each element tells the story of the house itself.”

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For more than a century, Italy’s major players, from industrialists to artists, gathered at Villa Beatrice, where time is measured by the natural world: by the play of sun on the water, the scent of the surrounding umbrella pines, afternoon shadows on a cotto antico floor, mellow evening rays on the first-floor terrace, or by the early morning mist clinging to the hilltops. From here, among cascading gardens and with private sea access, visitors could commune with Portofino from a different vantage point, one that bypasses familiar tropes in favour of an unfettered connection with the natural world and with the original, uncomplicated essence of this Ligurian harbour 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, spanning 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.

Villa Beatrice features four generous suites and living areas across three floors, with a showpiece curved main terrace, an ornamented bar, a furnished turret rooftop, a private plunge pool and private sea access. In addition, hidden within the Villa’s main garden, La Casetta is a Ligurian stone guest house featuring another bedroom, a second outdoor plunge pool, a vine-covered pergola and 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, from restaurants and bars to the Dior spa – the first permanent one in Italy.

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Time plays out differently at Villa Beatrice, where guests find the freedom to reconnect with the natural world and with the rhythms of the season. Those slow-paced, sun-drenched days are perfectly captured by this special home, whose doors are open once more and 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 harbour, 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.