Set within the pine-scented calm of Forte dei Marmi’s storied coastline, Augustus Hotel & Resort embodies the effortless allure of Italy’s golden age. Since its founding in 1953, this refined Tuscan enclave has been the preferred address for discerning travelers seeking quiet luxury, timeless style and a sense of storied intimacy. With its graceful villas, lush private gardens and iconic beach club, Augustus presents an all-encompassing escape rooted in history, elegance and five-star luxury.
Down the symbolic red-painted driveway, lies Villa Pesenti, a modernist architectural gem designed by Osvaldo Borsani. Once the private residence of Augusta Pesenti, the villa served as the original nucleus of the Augustus story. Surrounded by vast manicured gardens, open-air lounges and an atmosphere of refined discretion, the villa still echoes with the charm of 1950s dolce vita.
Just behind Villa Pesenti, La Nave is their three-story structure which evokes lines of an ocean liner. Hosting a collection of contemporary rooms and suites that look toward the Apuan Alps, guests can begin their day with a personalized fitness session at the resort’s Technogym-outfitted wellness center, followed by yoga in the garden or a bespoke treatment in their spa.
Since their opening 72 years ago, the property has expanded with individually styled villas offering a refined take on the classic villa life. From Villa Franca and Villa Magenta to Villa Ala Anita and Villa Ala Bianca, which were added in 2024, the 10 villas dot the surrounding parkland and define Augustus with architectural individuality and secluded elegance; each exuding contemporary comfort, privacy and Tuscan grace. After a meticulous redesign by Discreet Architecture and Milan-based De.Tales, Villa Radici is their newest offering. Opened just this season, it houses seven individually curated suites and a palette of ochre, green and soft pink, paying homage to both Liberty style and mid-century Italian design.
Just across from Villa Radici, the secluded outdoor pool thoughtfully appointed with sun loungers and shaded pergolas is a place of calm. Whether for a morning swim, an afternoon escape with a book, or a sunset aperitivo, the pool reflects the same understated elegance found throughout the estate, one of luxurious relaxation.
The history of Augustus would be incomplete without Villa Agnelli, the former residence of the Agnelli dynasty and now part of the Augustus Lido. Purchased by Edoardo Agnelli in 1926, the villa helped cement Forte dei Marmi’s reputation as Italy’s most exclusive seaside destination. The Agnellis’ famed private underpass, which still connects the villa to the beach without crossing the promenade, remains reserved solely for resort guests. This glamorous seaside retreat, once the exclusive preserve of Italian nobility and the international jet set, has been reimagined for today’s traveler as a haven of relaxed elegance.
At the beach club, seventy-four beach cabanas—fortemarmino-style and generously appointed—line the sand providing a private space to sip with your toes in the sand and the sea just steps away. The club’s culinary heart is the Bambaissa Restaurant, where every dish celebrates the local biodiversity of Tuscany’s coast. From fresh seafood to seasonal garden fare, the menu evolves daily under the direction of Edoardo Leoni, Executive Chef at Augustus Hotels. In the evening, private candlelit dinners under the cabanas offer a uniquely romantic experience, with the sound of the waves providing the perfect accompaniment.
Here luxury is slow and intentional, steeped in history yet designed for contemporary comfort. An invitation to live the Tuscan life as it was always meant to be.
