Looking Around

A Renaissance Palazzo: La Posta Vecchia

La Posta Vecchia, a voluptuous Roman retreat where the Tyrrhenian sea meets the sandy cove. Set on the coastal town of Ladispoli, short distance from Rome, this historic villa lets you peek into its centuries of renaissance romance and offers a treasured memory of Italy.

La Posta Vecchia or “the Old Postal House”, is the perfect blend of the old and new ambiance, décor and artifacts. Located in the town of Ladispoli, a short drive from the Italian capital city, this property possesses a long history of ownership.

From being a seaside resort for Roman imperators, it then served as a Renaissance palazzo for the noble Orsini family in the 17th century, and eventually a home of the American billionaire J. Paul Getty in the 1960s. Finally, with typical Italian passion, Roberto Sciò found La Posta Vecchia irresistible and made it his family home.

Today, Roberto Sciò’s daughter Marie-Louise Sciò, is the Creative Director who retains the rich history of the palazzo and nurtures the hotel with refined style and artful elegance.

The entrance door leads you to a tree-lined drive until the ochre yellow facades of the hotel, where carriages once stopped. Majestic 17th Century tapestries, marble busts of Roman emperors, and an antiquarian map by Giovanni Battista Piranesi welcome the guests into the main lobby.

La Posta Vecchia offers 19 uniquely decorated rooms with spectacular panoramic views either of the Italian gardens or the picturesque sea. The deluxe rooms are spacious accommodations styled with precious 17th-century artifacts that create an old fashion atmosphere, a revival of Getty’s taste. The suites are a step ahead: with extravagant interiors, opulent furnishings, and elegant Carrara marble bathrooms.

Getty Master Suite is a majestic suite overlooking the sea with a Venetian chest and an armchair from Northern Italy, Meissen porcelain on the walls and rich woven carpets on the floors. The bathroom retains the Renaissance atmosphere through antiqued mirrors, lantern lights, ornate copper taps, and all are fitted to contemporary excellence.

Medici Master Suite, a splendid suite in the wing that belonged to J. Paul Getty is a symbol of wealth, art and decadence. Guests live in splendor amidst fine pieces, such as a 17th century De Rosi map of Lazio, a marbled table from Naples and an exquisite ornate hand-crafted bed. Two marbled staircases frame the gorgeous bathroom and an extravagantly deep pink bath is reflected in seductive detail across the room in an ornate mirror.

Ancient wall decor, colorful mosaics, African and Greek marble, crockery, and lamps from the 1st century discovered by the Archeological Authority are stored in La Posta Vecchia’s museum on the lower ground floor. Guests have the opportunity to privately view these valuable discoveries during their stay in the hotel.

La Posta Vecchia also houses an indoor pool, a rambling garden, and a wonderful spa. The elegant gardens include exotic plants and Mediterranean fragrances, and guests can view the horizon from the large terrace overlooking the sea.

The kitchen at La Posta Vecchia is every bit as elegant and luxurious as the hotel itself. The Cesar Restaurant prepares delicacies with fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs raised in the hotel’s organic garden. For those who want a taste, take a trip out for a cool day by the sea. you can dine outdoors on the patio facing the Tyrrhenian Sea. Beneath the terrace, Cesar restaurant is a gastronomic experience by the sea. Tables dressed in white linen and minimalistic glassware, giving center stage to the gourmet cuisine of La Posta Vecchia’s culinary maestro, Antonio Magliulo. Delight yourself with special dishes made with peculiar Italian ingredients like white truffle or a courgette flower, from La Posta Vecchia’s organic garden.