Excelsior Hotel SPA & Lido, Pesaro, Italy

A touch of the Hamptons on the Adriatic

There is something unexpected about finding a hint of the American East Coast on the shores of Pesaro. At Excelsior Hotel SPA & Lido, polished wood, pale fabrics, striped details and a love of sailing recall the Hamptons of the 1950s, reimagined for a very different stretch of sea. Designed by architect Andrea Fogli, the five-star hotel has an identity all its own, elegant but never stiff, with the Adriatic slipping constantly into view through windows, terraces and rooms filled with natural light.

Summer here quickly becomes a barefoot affair. Directly in front of the hotel, Lido Excelsior turns a private stretch of Pesaro beach into an extension of the property, lined with white wooden cabins, generous parasols and loungers spaced comfortably across the sand. Two whirlpool tubs sit close to the shore, while shaded areas offer somewhere to retreat between swims. Towels, fresh water and attentive beach service take care of the practicalities, leaving little more to think about than when to head back into the sea.

Upstairs, the mood becomes quieter. Deluxe Rooms and Junior Suites bring in plenty of natural light, with many opening to sea views, while the larger Superior Suites add more space and privacy. The East Coast Superior Suite reflects the hotel’s Hamptons-inspired style with two sea-facing balconies, while the Gatsby Superior Suite takes its cue from the glamour of the 1950s. At the top, the 120-square-metre Excelsior Penthouse feels like a private residence, with two bedrooms, a sea-facing living room and a panoramic terrace overlooking the Adriatic and the Marche hills.