A historic 19th-century noble villa turned into a 5-star hotel in Santa Margherita Ligure, with a private beach, seawater pool and views of the Gulf of Tigullio.
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Imperiale Palace Hotel is a 5-star hotel set in an elegant 19th-century villa in Santa Margherita Ligure, Liguria, just steps from the sea and only 5 km from Portofino.
Once the residence of a noble Genoese family, the property retains frescoed ceilings, Murano glass chandeliers and period furnishings, combined with comforts such as air conditioning and satellite TV in every room. Room types range from classic double rooms to suites with sea views and private terraces, many overlooking the Gulf of Tigullio.
Guests have access to a private beach, a seawater pool with a sun terrace, and a fitness centre with a Turkish bath and massage room. The restaurant, with a panoramic terrace, offers candlelit dinners and, in summer, a beachside buffet featuring fresh fish and local specialities. The property also has conference facilities for up to 200 people, suitable for both romantic stays and business meetings on the Riviera.
Imperiale Palace Hotel offers eight room and suite types, all with private bathroom, air conditioning, minibar and flat-screen TV. Sizes range from 22 sqm for the classic double rooms to 60 sqm for the Tower Suite, with 32 sqm Junior Suites featuring a small sitting area in between.
Many rooms enjoy views of the Ligurian Sea, while others overlook the villa’s inner courtyard. The superior accommodations add a balcony or private terrace, period furnishings, Murano glass chandeliers and marble bathrooms with a tub, often with a separate shower. For those seeking the most space, the Executive Suite has a separate living room with a sofa bed and two bathrooms, ideal for three travellers.
An elegant room with parquet floors, a Murano glass chandelier and a marble bathroom with a tub, overlooking the villa’s inner courtyard. It is one of the more compact accommodations, without a sea view, suited to those seeking the property’s historic atmosphere at a more accessible price.
A 32 sqm Junior Suite, larger than the classic double room, with a small sitting area and views of the Ligurian Sea. Parquet floors, a Murano glass chandelier and a marble bathroom complete a more refined setting designed for those who want to wake up to the sea view.
At 60 sqm, this is the largest room in the property, with a full sea view, period furnishings, high ceilings and a marble bathroom with a tub. A unique setting in terms of size and character, distinguished from all other room types by its space and position in the villa’s historic tower.
A ground-floor Junior Suite, without a sea view but with more direct access to the common areas. It features a sitting area, refined furnishings and a marble bathroom with a tub and separate shower; unlike the other Junior Suites, it accommodates up to three guests.
A sea-view version of the classic double room, air-conditioned and with a flat-screen TV and minibar. The bathroom has a shower and hairdryer; compared to the base room type, the substantial difference is precisely the view of the Ligurian Sea, with the same floor space.
A 28 sqm Superior Room, slightly larger than the standard double, with a spacious double bed and a small sitting area. It has no sea view, but offers more room to move around compared to the 22 sqm rooms in the same category.
Among the 22 sqm double rooms, this is the only one with a private balcony, in addition to a sea view, with a minibar and flat-screen TV. The bathroom includes a shower or bathtub, by choice, making it the most complete of the property’s compact accommodations.
Compared to the Junior Suite with sea view and no balcony, this room adds a private balcony overlooking the Ligurian Sea, as well as a small sitting area, parquet floors and a marble bathroom, while keeping the same 32 sqm floor space.
The hotel offers a private beach and a seawater pool, complete with a sun terrace, sun loungers and pool towels, as well as a wellness centre with a gym, spa services, massages and yoga classes.
General services include a 24-hour front desk, concierge service, luggage storage, laundry and ironing service, lift and non-smoking rooms, along with a garden and a large terrace with views of the gulf.
For dining, there are a restaurant, a bar, an in-room minibar and the option of breakfast in the room, with customisable menus available on request for special diets. Parking is free and includes a valet parking service, convenient for those arriving by car along the Riviera di Levante.
Imperiale Palace Hotel is located in the hamlet of Pagana, on the coast connecting Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino, in one of the most exclusive areas of the Gulf of Tigullio. The period villa, surrounded by gardens and facing directly onto the sea, enjoys a quiet setting while remaining just steps from the town centre and its seafront promenades.
Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino railway station is just 150 metres away, convenient for getting around the coast without a car; Rapallo station, with more connections to Genoa, is about 2 km away. Genoa-Sestri Airport is about 29 km away, while Portofino is 5 km and Rapallo 3 km away. Several beaches are nearby, including Santa Margherita Ligure beach at 200 metres and Prelo beach at 400 metres, along with restaurants such as Ristorante Novecento, just 100 metres from the property.
Guests staying here can spend summer days at the sea and enjoy beach life, then travel by boat or along the coastal path to Portofino and its famous little square. Castello Brown, about 3.9 km away, overlooks the promontory with views of the gulf, while the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, reachable by sea or via the trails of Portofino Park, is about 4.1 km away. The Abbey of San Girolamo della Cervara, 2.5 km away, is also worth a visit for its cloister and open-sea views. For a walk in nature, Valle dei Mulini, 3.1 km away, offers a nature trail away from the coast. In winter, the area is well suited to scenic walks and excursions along the paths connecting the villages of the Riviera di Levante.
Reviews particularly praise the location (9.6) and room comfort (9.7), along with impeccable cleanliness (9.6) and a very helpful staff (9.5). Value for money (8.5) is more modest, while free WiFi receives a lower score (7.1), the aspect least appreciated by guests.
No, Imperiale Palace Hotel does not allow pets.
Yes, Imperiale Palace Hotel offers free private parking, as well as a valet parking service.
Imperiale Palace Hotel accepts check-in from 3:00 PM and requires check-out by 12:00 PM.
Yes, Imperiale Palace Hotel has a private beach and a seawater pool.
Imperiale Palace Hotel is about 5 km from Portofino, along the coast of the Gulf of Tigullio.
Yes, Imperiale Palace Hotel has a wellness centre with a Turkish bath, massage room and gym.
Rates at Imperiale Palace Hotel vary depending on the season, room type and dates of stay. You can check the updated price from our search partners.
