A New Chapter of Wellness

The Excelsior Palace Portofino Coast in Rapallo, Italy has unveiled the first phase of its highly anticipated Eden Spa – Fitness & Wellness, designed by Studio Marco Piva. This milestone marks the beginning of a broader development plan to elevate the hotel’s offerings and bring them in line with the most sophisticated international trends in wellness.

Spread across multiple levels, the spa has been conceived around two complementary principles: the preservation and enhancement of existing architectural elements and the expansion of new wellness spaces. The result is an immersive environment that reinterprets the colours, textures and atmospheres of Liguria’s landscape, seamlessly blending sea, sky and hills into a contemporary architectural language.

Materiality is central to the design. Finishes in Verde St. Denis marble, with veining reminiscent of the Ligurian shoreline, accentuate architectural features and custom furnishings. Travertine-effect coatings recall the region’s sandy beaches, while glass, mirrors, and metals introduce reflections and depth, amplifying the sense of immersion in marine vibrations. Together, these elements establish a zen-like ambiance, harmonising with the natural surroundings.

Inside, the architecture echoes the fluidity of the sea. Grand portals framed in green marble embrace the pool, while reflective glass surfaces extend its depth. A dramatic mirrored dome crowns the double-height volume, evoking lightness and awe. Every element – from arches to furnishings – has been fully customised, balancing aesthetic precision with functional intent.

Light plays an equally critical role. Natural daylight permeates the space, reducing the need for artificial illumination. Subtle perimeter LEDs frame structures, spotlights highlight design details, and an RGB pool lighting system transforms the ambiance with shifting moods.

At the heart of Eden Spa is a 68-square metre pool, conceived as a sanctuary of regeneration. Complete with hydromassage seating and cascading neck-massage waterfalls, the space invites introspection and multisensory restoration. Adjacent areas cater to diverse needs: intimate zones with soft lighting, panoramic couples’ lounges overlooking the sea, and a soaring double-height volume offering uninterrupted ocean views.

Beyond the pool, the spa offers an array of saunas, steam baths and sensory showers, designed to suit varying temperature and humidity preferences. Future developments promise even more innovative experiences, including: a marine salt-inspired relaxation area, reached through a natural rock gallery and enclosed by salt walls radiating gentle heat; and a hypersaline floating zone, where guests will drift weightlessly in a warm, sound-free environment that heightens sensory disconnection and deep relaxation.

With further construction already underway for the saline relaxation area, private spa and additional services, Eden Spa is poised to become a benchmark for luxury wellness on the Italian Riviera – a destination where architecture and nature coalesce to deliver holistic wellbeing.