La Serena

Style

Beach-spying aesthete

Setting

Storied Forte dei Marmi

Tantalising Tuscan resort Forte dei Marmi has lured holidaying aristos for more than a century. Now, there’s a new reason to visit in the form of La Serena; part coastal crashpad, part immersive art gallery. As serene as its name suggests, this boutique bolthole counts debonair decor, sculpture-dotted grounds, an excellent Tuscan restaurant and a picturesque pool among its considerable charms — with the town’s Ligurian-lapped sands only a stroll away.

Facilities

Rooms

21, including 13 suites.

Checkout

11am, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 2pm.

More Details

Rates include breakfast, minibar treats, on-loan bikes and private parking.

Also

Some rooms have been adapted for wheelchair access, with roll-in showers, raised toilets with grab rails, lowered sinks and emergency cords. And upper floors can be accessed via the lift.

Hotel Closed

This seasonal stay closes its doors from 27 October until 23 April.

Fitness Center

Free Internet Access

Laundry

Pool

On-Site Restaurant

Room Service

At the Hotel

Bikes to borrow; landscaped gardens dotted with sculptures and installations; wine cellar. In rooms: free WiFi, tablet, TV, air-conditioning, tea- and coffee-making kit, minibar, bathrobes, slippers and L'Occitane bath products.

Our Favourite Rooms

To bubble away in your own hot tub amid the pine trees, opt for a Luxury Suite. If emerald views are more your thing, opt for the Garden Suite, whose spacious terrace overlooks the forest-flanked Alps. Ideal for larger clans, Family Rooms have two interconnecting rooms and two bathrooms; upgrade to a balcony-toting version for lungfuls of fresh air with your Ligurian screensaver.

Poolside

La Serena’s freeform pool brings the off-duty-artist vibes. Unfurl yourself over a beanbag sunlounger, shaded by a raspberry-gingham parasol, or float across the water in a giant star- or flower-shaped inflatable pool ring, preferably with a glass of something fruity in hand.

Spa

There’s no formal spa at La Serena, but they do have one treatment room for those in desperate need of deknotting. You'll also be able to keep your workout regime on track at the Fitness Center, which features an outdoor area for alfresco sessions.

Packing Tips

Bring Sixties-inspired swimwear and a thirst for wine — La Serena’s cellar is home to more than 2,000 distinguished Italian and international labels.

Also

Honouring the region’s rich artistic heritage, La Serena has a revolving exhibition of artworks and installations, and hosts an inspiring artist’s residence programme. Visits to local studios can also be lined up.

Children

Babysitting can be arranged with 48 hours’ notice (an extra cost applies).

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Secure a spot outside on the sun-dappled terrace, for a slice of la bella vita. On colder days and nights, cosy up indoors beside your favourite painting or sculpture.

Dress Code

Channel your inner Sixties siren/sophisticate, taking Sophia Loren or Federico Fellini at a gallery opening as your guiding scene-setter.

Hotel Restaurant

Lumarea Bistrot & Bar's menu fuses Tuscan cuisine and a coastal spirit. Decorated with eyecatching works by emerging and established artists, the dining space pays colourful tribute to Forte dei Marmi’s artistic and cultural legacy. Additional eye-candy comes in the form of a sleek, Carrara-marble-topped bar, a monochrome tiled floor and abundant pot plants, with shoulder-tickling fronds.

Hotel Bar

La Serena is rightly proud of its 2,000-label wine list; for sips either indoors at Ikon or in the shaded courtyard, your options include crisp Tuscan whites, punchy Puglian reds or the bartender’s latest favourite pour.

Last Orders

Enjoy breakfast until 1pm and dinner until 9pm. Drinks are served until late.

Room Service

Order in-room treats from the main menu during the restaurant’s opening hours.

Planes

The closest airport is Pisa, a 40-minute drive from La Serena. You can also fly into Florence Airport, 90 minutes away by car. The hotel can arrange private transfers for an extra charge.

Trains

Forte dei Marmi train station is just five kilometres away, connecting to noteworthy destinations such as Pisa, Florence, La Spezia, Livorno and Massa. The hotel can provide transfers to and from the hotel.

Automobiles

La Serena has free valet parking; spaces are available on a first come, first served basis.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Go for a stroll in La Serena’s landscaped gardens, admiring the Paola Lenti furniture, plus large-scale sculptures and installations by contemporary makers. The local beach is only 500 yards away; expect brown-sugar sands, glamorous locals and a fleet of parasols and loungers. Borrow bikes (electric or otherwise) from the hotel and explore Forte dei Marmi, wheeling from pasticceria to pizzeria to boutiques to bar/s. The hotel’s concierge can open the door to a table at a sought-after restaurant; a blue-and-gold sailing trip; or even a hit list of inspiring art galleries. A local market on Wednesday and Sunday mornings is your go-to for buon-prezzo linens, leather and cashmere. Label-lovers will enjoy shopping at the resort’s exclusive boutiques. For further-afield adventures, Pisa’s leaning landmark is just 35 minutes away by train and Carrara marble quarries are a 40 minute drive away.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .