Ed.: The Inspired Stays series highlights hotels we love around Italy. Each property is independently reviewed by an Italy Magazine writer, who is generally hosted on a complimentary basis. Our contributors do not accept compensation or gifts in exchange for specific types of coverage. We only showcase properties we would genuinely recommend overall.
Why we love it
Porto Ercole, the legendary village on Monte Argentario, was popular with the 1960s jet-set, but hasn’t had a new five-star hotel open in decades. The fresh boutique hotel La Roqqa remedies that — bringing serious design cred, too.
What to expect
This intimate boutique hotel feels chic and modern thanks to its combination of Scandinavian minimalism and contemporary Italian design. The clean-lined architecture is infused with pops of color and blue chip furnishings by the likes of Gaetano Pesce and Mario Bellini. The culinary programming also leans more modern than traditional. It feels like a welcome break from the typical seaside stereotypes.
Background
The Swedish owners of La Roqqa have been vacationing in Porto Ercole for years and wanted to invest in the destination. This building was a more modest hotel that they spent three years renovating and transformed into a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Location, location, location
Porto Ercole is a seaside escape on Monte Argentario, essentially an island connected to the mainland by a causeway. It’s just 90 minutes from Rome or 2.5 hours from Florence. La Roqqa is located on the main street that connects the port below to the more remote beaches up the hill. Nearby attractions include wineries like Monteverro, lovely beaches and Niki de Saint Phalle’s Tarot Garden.
Where you’ll sleep
The 55 rooms and suites are done up in one of three color schemes: green, blue, or Terra di Siena red and all have terrazzo veneziano tiled floors. My room had a small balcony with a view of the port. I loved the Ortigia bath products and appreciated the complimentary non-alcoholic beverages in the minibar. As an added sustainability measure, every room has a tap with filtered drinking water and a reusable bottle that guests can take home.
Dining & drinks
The rooftop restaurant, Scirocco, serves breakfast and dinner. Lunch is served at Mezzanino and at the beach club, Isolotto. My husband and I had a nice selection of raw seafood and focaccia topped with stracciatella, raw shrimp, and red onion at Isolotto, which, naturally, focuses on fresh seafood. At Scirocco, the chef flexes his creative muscles with unconventional dishes like watermelon tataki with Tuscan Tamari sauce, spring onion and basil. We started with an aperitivo before dinner and appreciated the original cocktails inspired by Caravaggio, who somewhat infamously died in Porto Ercole.
Service notes
The staff is mostly young and eager to share their enthusiasm for the destination, though there is some room for improvement when it comes to communication between the various departments.
Spa time
There’s no spa, but massages and other treatments can be arranged in the rooms or at the beach club.
Family perks
The hotel is family-friendly and offers amenities for kids, but seems slightly better suited to teenagers than small children, as there's not much to keep little ones entertained.
You should know...
The beach club is open to external guests, but hotel guests get preferred spots on the cushy sunbeds. There’s no pool, so having the beach club as an option in summer is definitely a plus. A free shuttle service takes guests there and back.
Accessibility
- Elevator
- ADA friendly rooms/bathrooms
Features & amenities
- Waterfront setting
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Free WiFi
- Free parking
- Garden
- Fitness room
- Rooftop terrace
- Family friendly
- Pets allowed
Contacts
La Roqqa
Via Panoramica 7, Porto Ercole
Tel. +39 05641950290
Website
