Forte dei Marmi with its timeless elegance has been enjoying renewed international attention.
An upmarket Tuscan coastal resort
Just last week The Telegraph featured Forte dei Marmi as "the upmarket coastal resort where chic Italians spend their summers," and Villa Costanza adds another compelling reason to rediscover this elegant corner of Tuscany where heritage, design and authentic hospitality come together in one of Italy's most enduring seaside destinations.
A 16-room boutique hotel
Opened at Easter this year by Gian Luca Conti and Laura Cardella, the 16-room boutique hotel has been thoughtfully reimagined as an intimate retreat where the warmth of a private residence. Forte dei Marmi's heritage provides the perfect backdrop for Villa Costanza's contemporary interpretation of Tuscan elegance. Interiors by Michele Vitaloni and architect Marco Bernacca blend Carrara marble, brushed brass, delicate shades of velvets and carefully curated contemporary artworks to create calm, light-filled spaces. The 16 guest rooms and exclusive terrace suite are tranquil sanctuaries that balance artisanal craftsmanship with modern comforts.
Michelangelo used to source marble nearby
History is woven into every stay, and historian and former mayor Umberto Buratti says the villa was originally built for Admiral Costantino Morin before later becoming associated with the Agnelli family of Fiat fame. "Forte dei Marmi owes its origins to the marble trade that connected the Apuan Alps with the sea. Michelangelo famously travelled here to source marble for Florence, and over the centuries the town evolved from a working port into one of Italy's most refined seaside resorts, attracting aristocrats, artists, writers and industrialists."
Mediterranean fine dining
At the heart of the property is Maison Bistrot, a verdant garden restaurant where breakfast, lunch, aperitivo and dinner unfold beneath tropical greenery and palms. Chef Jonni Bertolacci's menu celebrates the Mediterranean, placing seafood centre stage while drawing on the flavours of the Tuscan hinterland through seasonal vegetables, aromatic herbs and carefully selected meats. The result is a cuisine that reflects the close relationship between the coast and the Apuan Mountains which can be seen from many of the rooms and the communal terrace overlooking the garden.
A traditional beach club and local attractions
The Villa Costanza experience extends naturally to the nearby Federico II Beach Club, where traditional canvas cabanas and iconic director's chairs recall the timeless elegance of Forte dei Marmi's beach culture. Away from the beach visitors can explore chic boutiques, lively cafés and weekly markets, cycle beneath umbrella pines, or venture to nearby Pietrasanta, celebrated for its galleries, artists' studios and marble workshops. The dramatic Apuan Alps, Lucca and the Ligurian coast are all within easy reach, making Villa Costanza an ideal base for discovering northern Tuscany while Pisa International Airport is just a 35-minute drive away, and rail connections link the resort with Pisa, Florence, Genoa and beyond. For information: www.villacostanzahotel.com
