Nestled in the enchanting town of Alassio, Villa Della Pergola is among the most captivating luxury boutique hotels on the Ligurian Riviera — a historic residence embraced by its famed botanical gardens. This serene haven offers guests a harmonious fusion of refined hospitality, timeless charm, and the tranquility of nature.
Since November 2020, Villa Della Pergola has proudly been a member of the Relais & Châteaux association.
Liguria, home to world-renowned destinations such as the Cinque Terre, ranks among Italy’s most alluring regions. Perfectly positioned with sweeping sea views, Villa Della Pergola lies in close proximity to San Remo, the French Riviera, and Monte Carlo. The villa’s storied past has inspired a host of artists, writers, and film luminaries, including Carlo Levi, Edward Elgar, Edward Lear, Richard Howard, Alfred Hitchcock, Maxim Gorky, Fyodor Chaliapin, Noël Coward, and Ernest Hemingway.
A gem of the Ligurian Riviera, Villa Della Pergola exudes the romantic spirit of the late 19th century. Its gardens — celebrated as some of Italy’s most beautiful and considered a botanical treasure of the Mediterranean — are central to its charm.
This lush sanctuary is the guardian of exceptional botanical collections: Italy’s most significant wisteria display and Europe’s richest agapanthus collection. Saved from speculative development in 2006, the gardens have been meticulously restored, embodying resilience and rebirth. Wandering the park’s avenues amid coastal pines, carob and olive trees, cypresses, Lebanese cedars, holm oaks, citrus groves, and countless other species is an experience rich in scent, color, and serenity.
At Villa Della Pergola, guests enjoy a unique blend of natural beauty and personalized service. This exclusive retreat invites you to stroll through verdant landscapes, sip aperitifs on sun-soaked terraces, or relax in the panoramic swimming pools.
High standards of hospitality and the nurturing of genuine guest relationships make the villa an ideal destination for both indulgent holidays and restorative escapes, with staff ready to curate private tours showcasing the splendor of Liguria.
Privacy, Tranquility, and Comfort
Staying in one of Villa Della Pergola’s 19 exclusive rooms and suites is pure bliss — an intimate escape where you can retreat from the bustle of daily life and restore your inner balance in nature’s embrace.
The accommodations are spread across five historic buildings: Villa, Villino, Casa del Sole, Casa Visteria, and Casa Nirvana. Each room, masterfully restored by architect Ettore Moketti, features its own distinctive atmosphere, color palette, and curated furnishings. Rooms honor notable figures who once graced the villa, including members of Alassio’s English colony, leaving an indelible mark on its history.
Every room offers breathtaking views of the Ligurian coast, the lush gardens, or the distant silhouette of Gallinara Island. Elegant interiors showcase exquisite collections of watercolors, paintings, antiques, and memorabilia, immersing guests in the splendor of 19th-century life.
We stayed in one of the most luxurious Elgar suites, named after the renowned English composer Edward Elgar. Elgar spent part of the winter of 1904–1905 in Alassio and dedicated his symphony ‘In the South (Alassio)’ to this picturesque Ligurian town. The suite boasts a spacious private terrace that offers breathtaking views of the Bay of Alassio. On this terrace, you can unwind, read, or have a leisurely breakfast in a serene and tranquil atmosphere.
The Elgar suite offers every luxury: a coffee machine, tea station, air conditioning, minibar, and television, with bathrooms stocked in premium toiletries and fine fragrances. Just steps away are two panoramic pools and a serene wellness area.
A Gastronomic Journey
Guests begin the day with a breakfast crafted from seasonal produce grown in the villa’s gardens and at its own L’Orto Rampante farm. Named in homage to Italo Calvino’s The Baron in the Trees, the farm celebrates the author’s friendship with artist and writer Carlo Levi, a frequent visitor to Alassio.
Each morning, the pastry chefs, guided by the head chef, prepare an irresistible selection of freshly baked brioche, focaccia, breads, cakes, and delicate desserts. Eggs, cheeses, sausages, and smoked meats are sourced from the villa’s trusted farmers.
The property is also home to Nove, a Michelin–starred restaurant and one of Liguria’s culinary jewels. Here, guests embark on a sensory journey through traditional Ligurian and Piedmontese flavors, reimagined by the Chef Antonio Romano with contemporary finesse.
From 12:30 to 6:00, the restaurant offers a delightful array of casual yet refined dishes, such as Caprese, a delectable combination of artisanal buffalo mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant garden basil; the Battuta, a tantalizing dish featuring Fassona Piemontese tartare, confit tomato, burrata, and a burst of pesto. For pasta lovers, the Trofie al pesto and Spaghetti al pomodoro are must-tries.
Wine suggestions: Italian Sparkling Wine S.A. Etna DOC Brut, Palmento Costanzo; Rosato “Costadevigne,” Massimo Alessandri.
In the evening, Three tasting menus, including a vegetarian option, and an à la carte menu highlight the authenticity and innovation of the cuisine. Many ingredients — from herbs to edible flowers — are harvested directly from “I Giardini di Villa Della Pergola.”
We savored an exquisite 8-course tasting menu (€240), paired with an expertly curated wine journey (€190), exploring Sicily, Langa, and Burgundy.
Reverie — A Journey of Identity and Exploration
Cantaloupe Melon — marinated zucchini “scapece”-style, preserved trombette courgettes, zucchini flower pearls, candied pumpkin seeds
Amberjack in Seawater — charred snow peas, green beans, green tomato, Taggiasca olives, lovage
Sea Cucumber — beans, bone marrow, parsley
Plin with Goat Cheese and Apricot Mostarda — red pepper extraction, crusco pepper
Wild Nettle Risotto — barbecue lemon paste, sour butter, suckling pig’s ears, prebuggiún
Veal Sweetbread in Salmuera Seca — peaches, cucumbers, fennel pollen
Coconut Milk Panna Cotta — pickled cherries, buttermilk, coriander
Nove Wine Experience
– S.A. “Quattrocento”, Nicola Gatta
– 2025 Grillo della Timpa, Feudo Montoni
– 2023 Bourgogne Aligoté, Sylvain Pataille
– 2022 Le Bastion Beaune Premier Cru, Domaine Chanson
Villa Della Pergola is far more than a luxury escape — it is a living dialogue between history, nature, and the art of refined living. Each moment spent within its walls or wandering its storied gardens feels like stepping into a world where beauty and serenity reign.
Villa Della Pergola
Address: Strada Privata Montagu 9, 17021 Alassio (SV) – Italy
Instagram: @villadellapergola
Text: Marina Timo
Photo courtesy: EATWEEKGUIDE
