A Private Villa for a Century, Belmond’s Newly Restored Property Recaptures Portofino’s Hollywood Heyday

For more than a century, Villa Beatrice has overlooked the Gulf of Tigullio from its position on the headland above the fishing village of Portofino — a small harbor town on the Ligurian coast in northwestern Italy. Its terracotta façade and neo-Gothic details have long been concealed behind private gates. Now, after decades out of public view, the 19th-century residence has been restored and reopened as the first one-key, fully serviced villa in the Belmond portfolio.

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Photo: Belmond Hotels

Architect Gino Coppedè, whose eclectic style combined elements of Art Nouveau and Gothic Revival, designed Villa Beatrice in 1913. The villa was commissioned by Attilio Odero, a prominent shipbuilder and industrialist, with the intent to entertain Italy’s aristocratic circles. From its elevated position on the Punta Cajega headland, the structure was as much a display of craftsmanship as it was a private residence.

Photo: Belmond Hotels

As Portofino became popular with the top movie stars of the 1950s and ’60s — attracting names like Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, and Elizabeth Taylor — Villa Beatrice remained quietly in private hands. Unlike neighboring properties that became part of the social circuit, this residence stayed a private home, passed between families. This summer marks the first time it has opened to guests, following a restoration by Belmond that returns the villa to its original purpose: a luxurious place for gathering and relaxing along one of the most striking stretches of the Mediterranean coast.

The transformation was led by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, which approached the project with careful attention to the villa’s historical framework. Frescoed ceilings, scalloped windows, geometric tilework, and arched passageways have all been restored using traditional preservation methods.

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Furnishings and materials throughout the villa reflect regional craftsmanship: Lavagna stone from the Ligurian coast lines the hallways; Chiavari-style woodwork, a hallmark of the nearby coastal town, features in furniture details; and Genovese Lampasso fabrics are used for upholstery and drapery. Graniglia alla Genovese, a terrazzo flooring made of marble and stone chips suspended in lime mortar, has been restored in several of the suites — a material once typical in noble Ligurian homes. The interiors are further accented with Palissandro blue marble and hand-painted floral motifs that echo traditional fresco styles. The villa’s palette draws directly from its surroundings — dusty pinks, pale blues, earthy creams, deep greens, and terracotta — reflecting the colors of Portofino’s cliffs, coastal flora, and the sea’s changing tones just below.

Photo: Belmond Hotels

Gardens redesigned by landscape architect Marco Bay lead from the villa’s main level down to a rarity in Portofino: private access to the sea. Pine trees line the tiled walkways, which descend past a shaded outdoor plunge pool and dining area framed by the garden terrace. From the rooftop turret, views extend across Portofino’s harbor and out toward the cliffs of Cinque Terre.

Service at Villa Beatrice upholds Belmond’s reputation for understated luxury and guests can also access the amenities of Splendido, Belmond’s recently reopened flagship hotel just a short walk away. Reopened in June 2025 after a major redesign, Splendido now features updated rooms, a new bar, and Italy’s first permanent Dior Spa. Guests staying at Villa Beatrice can book treatments at the spa, enjoy curated menus prepared by a dedicated chef, and arrange for a private butler, yoga instructor, or personal trainer.

Available for stays from late June through early November, Villa Beatrice is poised to become a coveted retreat for well-heeled travelers seeking one of the Mediterranean’s most opulent private stays.

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