AUGUSTUS HOTEL & RESORT: Tuscany’s Definitive Expression of Slow Luxury
For more than seven decades, Augustus Hotel & Resort has stood as the quiet heartbeat of Forte dei Marmi—an emblem of slow luxury, architectural beauty, and timeless Italian elegance. Nestled in the most coveted stretch of the Tuscan Riviera, this five-star haven offers more than world-class hospitality; it offers a lifestyle shaped by history, privacy, art, and the sensory richness of Versilia.
With its villas, parkland, and deeply rooted heritage, Augustus has long been an undisputed icon of the region. Its story is the story of Italian style itself—a narrative of culture, design, and the refined art of living well. That story began in 1953, when Augusta Pesenti transformed her private residence into a hotel, pioneering what would become the “diffused resort” concept: a collection of villas seamlessly intertwined with nature. Villa Pesenti, a modernist masterpiece by Osvaldo Borsani, formed the beating heart of this vision and remained the only Deluxe hotel in Versilia for more than twenty years.
As the resort grew, so did its constellation of villas. Seven eclectic residences—Villa Franca, Villa Il Conventino, Villa Fiocchi, Villa Fiocchina, Villa Magenta, Villa Rondine, and Villa Rane—rose elegantly among the grounds, each designed by artists and architects personally selected by Signora Augusta. The evolution continued in June 2024 with two new additions, Villa Ala Anita and Villa Ala Bianca, which blend tranquility, exclusivity, and contemporary craftsmanship. In 2025, the historic Villa Radici will join the estate, enriching the resort’s experience while preserving the intimacy of its pinewood landscape.
The property’s architecture is complemented by a jewel-like swimming pool and La Nave, a 1960s modernist landmark shaped by long, terraced walkways reminiscent of cruise-ship decks. This thoughtful fusion of indoor-outdoor living has remained a signature element of the Augustus experience.
Today the resort is owned and masterfully reinterpreted by the Maschietto family, a dynasty of refined Italian hospitality. Through subtle renovations—new suites, refreshed outdoor spaces, modern furnishings, and technological upgrades—they have preserved the enchanting aura of the Dolce Vita, a magnet for cinema legends, artists, cultural icons, and the international jet set since the 1950s.
Villa Agnelli: A Legacy Within a Legacy
Perhaps the most storied jewel of the Augustus estate is Villa Agnelli, now part of the Hotel Augustus Lido. Once the neo-Renaissance Villa Costanza, the home was purchased in 1926 by Edoardo Agnelli, the son of Senator Giovanni Agnelli—founder of FIAT and father of Gianni Agnelli. When it became part of the resort in the late 1960s, the villa brought with it a heritage of exclusivity that remains unmatched in Versilia.
The Agnelli presence helped define the region’s “villa living” culture, attracting aristocrats and the upper bourgeoisie who sought refined summer retreats surrounded by nature. In the 1950s, the family commissioned an underground tunnel connecting the villa’s garden directly to their private beach. The passageway—still reserved exclusively for guests—remains a symbol of privacy and quiet indulgence.
Augustus Beach Club: The Glamorous Soul of Forte dei Marmi
The Augustus Beach Club has long been one of Forte dei Marmi’s most coveted destinations—a refined seaside sanctuary where elegance meets contemporary beach culture. Open to resort guests and outside visitors seeking elevated leisure, the Beach Club features a heated saltwater pool, 74 impeccably outfitted beach tents, two restaurants, and a curated selection of water sports.
Each tent is designed as a seaside suite: expansive, shaded, and outfitted not only with traditional loungers but also a queen-size bed for restful afternoons by the sea. Beneath the zigzag terracotta roofs typical of the region, the cabins reveal intimate lounges where guests can enjoy cocktails or light meals at any hour.
At the heart of the Beach Club is the celebrated Bambaissa Restaurant, an epicurean destination known for its à la carte menus inspired by Tuscany’s seasonal biodiversity. Continually refreshed dishes offer new culinary discoveries each day, and for special occasions, Bambaissa arranges private candlelit dinners beneath the beach tents—a five-star experience framed by the sound of the waves.
La Nave: Wellness Meets Contemporary Design
The resort’s modernist landmark, La Nave, has recently been transformed through a meticulous renovation by the Maschietto family. Its Superior and Deluxe rooms now blend contemporary style with the airy lightness of the coast—white palettes, natural woods, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls opening to the Apuan Alps.
La Nave is also home to a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness center where guests can curate personalized workouts. Wellness extends into the park through outdoor fitness paths and continues at the Day Spa, the restaurant La Sirena e La Fontana, and the lounge bar, each offering dedicated wellness-focused menus.
A Living Masterpiece of Italian Hospitality
Augustus Hotel & Resort is more than a destination—it is a living testament to Italian elegance, design, and the art of slow living. Every villa, every pathway, every story woven into its history reflects the culture and spirit of the Tuscan Riviera. As it continues to grow with new residences and refined experiences, Augustus remains an unparalleled sanctuary where luxury is lived, not displayed—and where time moves to the rhythm of the sea, the pines, and the enduring charm of la dolce vita.
