The History Of Park Hotel Villa Ariston

Park Hotel Villa Ariston, an elegant and refined historical dwelling in the heart of the Versilia, is the undisputed protagonist of Lido di Camaiore. A prestigious hotel full of unique, timeless charm that has been able to renew and modernize itself over the years without losing its original enchanting beauty.

Its long history began at the end of the nineteenth century, when senator Vittorio Rolandi Ricci, Victor Emmanuel III of Italy’s honorary ambassador, purchased the estate from Mrs Consigli. It was in this estate that Eleonora Duse and Gabriele D’Annunzio had stayed and where the poet concluded the drafting of his work “Francesca from Rimini”.

In the early Twentieth century, the architect Gino Coppedè was commissioned to design what would soon become the senator’s dwelling. The result was the creation of the Regina Castle, the magnificent complex with medieval features that, with its Neo-Gothic style, almost seems to evoke fictional images of times gone by. This splendid estate surrounded by green fruit orchards and overlooking the blue sea and the amber beaches of Lido di Camaiore, has provided accommodation to illustrious personalities over the years. As well as Victor Emanuel III and Prince Umberto, statesmen from all over Europe have stayed here, including Giolitti and Mussolini, not to mention personalities like Guglielmo Marconi and Giacomo Puccini.

With the coming of the Second World War, the golden age of the Rolando Ricci estate was temporarily interrupted and, due to the bombing, some of the buildings were badly damaged, like the turret that characterizes the villa.

In the post-war period it was all rebuilt and the whole property was sold to the Benelli brothers, who initially used it as a family retreat in the summer months. In the mid- 1950s the castle was transformed from a private dwelling into a hotel, taking on the name of Ariston.

In 1986, the Codecasa family, a dynasty of entrepreneurs from the world of sailing, took over the estate, which is still run with passion and professionalism.

A great deal of time has passed and history has taken place under the villa’s great arches, but after more than a century, as you go through the gate of the Park Hotel Villa Ariston, you can still perceive the ancient charm of the splendour, the luxury and the elegance of another time, together with comfort and the most modern services.