Villa della Pergola
Victorian Anglo-Italian grandeur meets Mediterranean garden retreat. Fin de siècle aesthetics throughout — think high archways, abundant statuary, rich antique furniture — but it never feels stuffy. Quiet, private, and deeply rooted in place.
Book Nove Restaurant at least a few weeks ahead in high season — it's open to non-guests and fills quickly
Why It Matters
The property was saved from building speculation in 2006 by owners Silvia and Antonio Ricci, who restored it into one of Italy's most acclaimed small luxury hotels. The gardens are a Royal Horticultural Society Partner Garden and have won 'Most Beautiful Park in Italy.' Alfred Hitchcock used the estate for his debut film, The Pleasure Garden (1925). Restaurant Nove has held its Michelin star for six consecutive years as of 2026.
Three opulent 19th-century mansions and two smaller houses perched above Alassio on the Western Ligurian Riviera. The 22,000 sqm of restored botanical gardens — the largest wisteria collection in Italy, the richest agapanthus collection in Europe — draw people here first. But the museum-quality interiors keep them: marble floors, dramatic staircases, Victorian watercolors, and 19 individually named suites dedicated to historical figures who once lived or stayed here. Alfred Hitchcock shot his first film on these grounds. Restaurant Nove has held a Michelin star since 2020.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
Casa del Sole
The property's most private option: a fully independent house in a secluded corner of the park, permanently flooded with natural light given its south-facing position. Once a favourite for afternoon tea among the Dalrymple and Hanbury families. It has its own living room, a private patio of 93 sqm, a terrace of 37 sqm, and a private outdoor Jacuzzi. The sheer amount of outdoor space sets it apart from everything else on the property.
1 king size bed · 95 sqm
Elgar Suite
Dedicated to English composer Edward Elgar, who spent part of the winter of 1904-05 in Alassio and composed 'In the South (Alassio)' here. Located in the Villino della Pergola, it has an incomparable view of the bay and a large private terrace of 34 sqm — ideal for breakfast or reading in the open air. The marble bathroom includes a Jacuzzi bathtub.
1 king size bed · 54 sqmRooms and Suites (General)
19 rooms and suites in total, distributed across five buildings: Villa, Villino, Casa del Sole, Casa Wisteria, and Casa Nirvana. Each is individually designed by architect Ettore Mocchetti and named after a historical figure connected to the villa's Anglo-Italian past. Rooms feature wooden floors, English-style antique furniture, watercolour collections, and Victorian-era memorabilia. All rooms have either sea or garden views. There is no elevator and some buildings involve stairs.
Ruth Suite
Named after Ruth Hanbury, who lived in this room for over forty years until 1982. The current marble bathroom was once her private dressing room. A spacious suite in the main Villa building with a generous private terrace commanding a full view of the Bay of Alassio and Capo Mele toward the French border. Two French-style beds give it a slightly different feel from the rest of the king-bed suites.
2 French beds · 58 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Self-guided or guided walks through the 22,000 sqm estate gardens — one of Italy's most acclaimed parks and an RHS Partner Garden. Collections include 34+ wisteria varieties (largest in Italy), 500 agapanthus varieties (largest in Europe), rose gardens, Mediterranean species, and rare exotic flora including tropical plants, palms, and water lilies.
The concierge team can organise cooking classes in the local Ligurian tradition. Oil tastings and wine tastings (Pigato, Vermentino, Rossese) at nearby mills and cellars can also be arranged.
The hotel can arrange diving, snorkeling, and wave-walking in the marine-rich waters around the Gulf of Alassio and near Gallinara Island. The area is part of the International Cetacean Sanctuary — dolphins, sperm whales, and fin whales are sometimes spotted.
The Garlenda Golf Club is a short drive from Alassio, offering an 18-hole course with a total length of 6,085 meters (CR 72.0, SR 133 for men). The hotel team can assist with reservations.
The century-old Hanbury Tennis Club, founded 1923, is just minutes' walk from the villa. It has 7 clay courts, 3 padel courts, and a pickleball court, plus an elegant colonial-style clubhouse. Named after Daniel Hanbury, former owner of the Villa.
A small private museum reserved for hotel guests, featuring rare objects, portraits, paintings, and images telling the story of the villa's aristocratic English families and notable guests across the 19th and 20th centuries.
Panoramic infinity pool at Casa Nirvana overlooking the Gulf of Alassio. Seasonal (open May to October). Sun loungers and umbrellas provided. Adjacent Nirvana Pool Bar.
The hotel's adjacent terraced farm supplies fresh produce to Nove Restaurant. Guests can visit the farm, which is named in tribute to Italo Calvino's 'The Baron in the Trees.' Renzo Piano Building Workshop has a project planned for the garden.
Private yacht hire can be arranged through the concierge team for exploration along the Riviera di Ponente coastline.
The hotel can help organise trekking and biking along the Ligurian coastal and inland trails, including the ancient Via Julia Augusta path from Alassio to Albenga (approx. 6 km with sea views).
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
There is no elevator at the property. Some buildings involve stairs. Guests with mobility concerns should contact the hotel before booking.
Free Wi-Fi throughout the property and in all rooms.
Room service available (24-hour in Casa del Sole; limited hours in standard rooms).
Free private car park available for guests. No reservation required.
Electric vehicle charging available on-site.
The property cannot accommodate pets of any size.
Seasonal outdoor infinity pool at Casa Nirvana with views across the Gulf of Alassio. Open approximately May to October. Sun loungers, umbrellas, and poolside bar service included.
A second pool option within the botanical gardens for guests.
Staff can assist in Italian, English, Spanish, and German.
Laundry and dry cleaning services available.
The hotel team assists with arranging activities, local excursions, restaurant bookings, tennis, golf, transfers, and more.
Hot tub available for guests (location within Casa del Sole suite and/or communal area).
BUILD YOUR VILLA DELLA PERGOLA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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