On the beach of Laigueglia, a picturesque fishing village in the province of Savona, the landmark hotel reopens, a tribute to the golden years of the Riviera di Ponente.
A historic building by the sea, an authentic village steeped in beauty, a careful restoration that combines contemporary design and retro atmospheres: the Hotel Windsor reopens, after nearly two decades, on the beach of Laigueglia, an enchanting – but still little-known-destination of western Liguria, with panoramic views ranging from Capo Mele to Gallinara Island.
The Golden Hotel Windsor
The entrepreneurial project bears the signature of Alessandro Sironi – former owner of the Filario Hotel & Residences on Lake Como – assisted for creative direction by his wife Alice Muzzioli, and the Blesi Subitoni studio for the interior.
“The Hotel Windsor project was sparked by the attraction for those typically Italian places still unknown to international tourism. Small villages where authenticity and simplicity are distinctive elements in creating a truly special travel experience,” Sironi explains.
Established in the late 19th century under the name Pensione Luciano, later renamed Hotel Concordia and finally Hotel Windsor, the hotel was a popular destination in the 1960s, the golden age of the Ligurian Riviera.
The restoration pays homage to those years and fits harmoniously into the landscape: the building has in fact maintained its elegantly decorated facade, creating a pleasant contrast with the interiors, where design is the absolute protagonist.
Elements of Design
Affiliated with Design Hotels, the Hotel Windsor alternates minimal elements with decorative details, such as the intricate floor, geometric boiserie in Canaletto walnut, and brass details. The common areas, characterized by large windows projecting onto the sea, are furnished with iconic pieces created by 20th-century Italian masters, such as the Marocca chairs by Vico Magistretti for De Padova, and contemporary designers, such as the Wild chairs by Piero Lissoni for Bonacina 1889 and lighting by Davide Groppi.
The 25 rooms – divided into seven categories, including Junior Suite, Wellness Room, and Deluxe Sea View-are also furnished with “custom made” furniture, and design pieces – such as the Ico Parisi’s 1947 Pa’ desk and Gio Ponti’s 699 Superleggera chair for Cassina-and custom-made artwork. These include an OVO atelier’s reinterpretation of traditional Moorhead, customized with details that recall the Ligurian territory. All rooms enjoy splendid views of the sea or the picturesque alleys of Laigueglia.
Dreaming in Liguria
Hotel Windsor’s seafront restaurant and bar area offer a mix of Ligurian flavors, traditional Italian cuisine, and avant-garde creations for lunch, dinner, and aperitifs. The mise en place engages in a dialogue with the beautiful nature all around: in fact, the link between food and genius loci is at the heart of the restaurant’s menu, where the protagonists are the raw materials, mainly local fish but also meats from the hinterland and zero-kilometer produce, and the magnificent view.
A private sandy beach stretches between the hotel and the waves of the Ligurian Sea. A space that winks at 1960s style, thanks to beige umbrellas custom-made by Italian artisans, paired with Kettal designer loungers in shades of sage green.
Located just an hour from San Remo and the French border, Hotel Windsor is the ideal place to experience the Italian summer away from the crowds, enjoying an impeccable welcome and savoring the Riviera’s dolce vita with a contemporary twist.