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Just an hour from the French border, Hotel Windsor brings all the charm and grandeur of the Côte d’Azur to Liguria. Set directly on the sea, this enchanting, 25-room hotel can be found in the heart of the picturesque hamlet of Laigueglia, a small fishing village whose colorful houses and lush green hills are comparable to those of Cinque Terre. Abandoned for nearly 20 years, the hotel reopened under the same name but different ownership in 2022, bringing new life to the breathtaking stretch of coast to the west of Genova. 

Hotel Windsor’s renaissance comes at the hands of hotelier Alessandro Sironi, who used to spend summer holidays in the village as a child. “I love the area, the simple elegance of the town, the original spirit one can feel,” he shares. When he heard that the hotel had closed, he immediately started dreaming up plans; seven years later, he not only revived the hotel, but also revitalized the town, which is a fantastic off-the-beaten path (and off-the-normal-tourist-route) destination in one of Italy’s most beautiful coastal regions. 

Sironi shares that the hotel was designed to recapture the Golden Age of the Italian Riviera of the 50s and 60s, referring less to the glitz of the major cities and movie stars of that time and more to the understated elegance of the era–although we can picture the likes of Sophia Loren and Monica Vitti lounging on one of the seafront balconies or enjoying a Negroni at the classy Windsor Bar. The architecture certainly is both understated and elegant, from the simple color scheme to the modestly decorated facade (historically, Ligurian architecture is notoriously simple, for who needs ornamentation when you have the beauty of the sea and towns’ colorful walls?). The rooms too are sleek as can be, with lavish tubs, minimalist details, and walk-in closets, depending on which you choose. 

Creative Director Alice Muzzioli, also Sironi’s wife, is behind the interior design, emphasizing Ligurian traditions and sourcing elements by Italian designers like Cassina, De Padova, and Bonacina. Ask about any piece in the hotel and you’ll learn its story, from the irony-filled paintings by Luca Boscardin (each illustrate an area of the hotel with a riviera-inspired color palette) to the vibrant Sicilian Moor Heads, made in collaboration with design atelier OVO. Usually crowned with pinecones and leaves, these ceramics are instead adorned with regional symbols like the artichoke of Albenga and zucchine trombetta. 

These culinary products are more than just decorative, however. Head to the hotel’s fine dining restaurant Savô, meaning “flavor” in the Ligurian dialect, for local flavors with a modern twist by chef Gianluigi Erme. On this uber-regional menu, the produce is all sourced from within a 5-km radius, the seafood is locally- and wild-caught, and the meat comes from nearby Piedmont and inland Liguria. Sip local wines–Pigato, Vermentino, Rossese, Granaccia and Ormeasco–in the dining room, on the terrace overlooking the sea, or at the bar. 

Days call for lounging on the private beach, Bagni Windsor, and exploring the crystal clear sea via snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, or boat (both motorboats and sailboats are available). Alternatively, visit the wineries, farms, and historic hamlets scattered through the towering green hills or stroll through the tiny alleys and carruggi of Laigueglia, which is considered one of the most beautiful places in Italy for a reason. Hotel Windsor has a well-equipped gym, but you can also get in some exercise through hikes and cycles on the kilometers of hillside trails overlooking the sea. To work out your wallet instead, the neighboring town of Alessio is lined with charming boutique shops. 

No stranger to the hotel business–as his wildly successful Hotel Filario & Residences in Lake Como demonstrates–Sironi has excelled at using his hotels as mediums to teach guests about Italian culture and the surrounding region. And, at Hotel Windsor, you really can experience the local traditions and characteristics of this gorgeous Ligurian locale, accompanied by enthusiastic hospitality and the lapping of the turquoise waves. 

A few segreti (secrets) from Alessandro:

Pay a visit the incredibly charming medieval hamlets of Colla Micheri and Cervo for all the Cinque Terre charm without the crowds 

Terrazza Praié – This winery in the hills of Laigueglia boasts a stunning view of the sea, a casual dining option, a shop where you can buy their wine, olive oil, and produce, and a fine-dining restaurant with tables among the vines. 

Osteria I Matetti – This rustic osteria in Alassio has a locals-only vibe and great seafood and pesto. 

Ristorante Nove at Villa della Pergola – This starred restaurant in Alassio is a blend of coastal and countryside Liguria featuring ingredients–produce, herbs, and edible flowers–straight from the Villa’s garden with a menu influenced by neighboring France and Piedmont. 

Local dishes to try while you are here are the famous trofie al pesto, along with brandacujun (whipped stockfish), panissa (chickpea fritters), and coniglio alla ligure (ligurian-style braised rabbit). Some must-try produce is the spiny artichoke of Albenga and zucchine trombetta–delicate, tasty, and thin zucchini in the shape of a trumpet.