Eden Spa – Excelsior Palace Portofino Coast, Italy by SMP

Posted in News on 29 July, 2025

A portion of the new “Eden Spa – Fitness & Wellness” at the Excelsior Palace Portofino Coast in Rapallo, designed by Studio Marco Piva, has been opened.

This marks the first stage of a broader development program currently underway, aimed at enhancing the exclusivity of the hotel’s amenities and aligning them with the most advanced trends in the wellness sector.

Excelsior Palace Portofino Coast, Italy

The large spa, articulated over multiple levels, has been conceived along two complementary design directives: on the one hand, a conservative restyling and enhancement of existing architectural elements; on the other, a spatial and functional expansion of the wellness facilities. The design draws strong inspiration from the surrounding landscape, reinterpreting its forms, colors, and atmospheres to create a contemporary architectural narrative.

The materials used pay homage to Liguria and its unique landscape, nestled between the crystal-clear blue of the sea and the lush green of the hills.

The Verde St. Denis effect finishes, with veining that recalls the reflections and movements of water along the coast, have been applied to highlight certain architectural elements and to custom furnishings, while surfaces treated with a travertine-effect coating evoke the Ligurian beaches.

Large portals framed in green marble surround the pool, while expansive water-effect glass surfaces amplify its visual depth.

The project also incorporates contemporary solutions such as glass, mirrors, and metals, capable of creating plays of reflections and three-dimensionality. These elements enhance the feeling of immersion in marine vibrations, giving the spaces a zen-like atmosphere that restores harmony with the surrounding environment.

The fluid forms of the sea resonate within the interior architecture: large portals framed in green marble surround the pool, while expansive water-effect glass surfaces amplify its visual depth. A majestic reflective mirrored dome crowns the space, accentuating the double-height volume and conveying a sense of wonder and lightness.

From fixed furnishings to the full fit-out, every detail has been carefully conceived and custom-built.

The entire space has been fully customized, based on unifying principles such as the use of arches and coherent material choices, which repeat harmoniously throughout all areas. These elements, however, are reinterpreted with creativity to respond to the specific functions of each zone, resulting in a bespoke project. From fixed furnishings to the full fit-out, every detail has been carefully conceived and custom-built, establishing a unique and cohesive dialogue between aesthetics, functionality, and personalization.

The use of artificial lighting has been minimized by the use of natural light in several areas.

Light was conceived as a fundamental design element, used to shape and enhance the architecture. Thanks to the spa’s architectural configuration, which benefits from natural light in several areas, the use of artificial lighting has been minimized. Perimeter LED strips frame architectural elements, emphasizing their elegance, while focused spotlights highlight significant details. Adjustable lighting intensity adapts to different functional requirements, ensuring optimal visual comfort at all times. The pool is also equipped with an RGB lighting system, capable of creating evocative and ever-changing visual scenarios.

Water, an archetype of life and a symbol of regeneration, takes center stage in the 68 sqm pool, suspended in a rarefied and atmospheric environment. This space is designed as a sanctuary of peace and introspection, where guests can rediscover new forms of well-being. Dedicated neck-massage waterfalls alternate with comfortable hydromassage seating, delivering a deeply immersive and multisensory regenerative experience.

The spa is designed to meet every relaxation need with dedicated and diverse spaces.

The spa is designed to meet every relaxation need with dedicated and diverse spaces. On the pool level, a spacious area with intimate proportions, soft lighting is ideal for those seeking a private and relaxing environment. Adjacent to the pool, a second area unfolds along the water’s edge, seemingly touching its surface. On the upper level, two distinct zones, each with its own identity, have been created. The first is an exclusive panoramic area of contained dimensions, conceived for couples’ relaxation. An elegant day bed faces directly toward the sea, while subtle partitions visually screen the space, ensuring intimacy and privacy. The second overlooks the double-height volume of the pool and opens directly onto the seascape, offering a complete visual and sensory connection to the surrounding landscape, with the breathtaking sea view becoming the focal point of the experience.

The spa also offers a variety of saunas and steam baths, each designed to meet specific temperature and humidity preferences, complemented by sensory showers that amplify the overall wellness journey.

Future features include a marine salt-inspired relaxation area, accessible through a natural rock gallery, leading to a space clad in salt walls radiating 30°C heat, creating a calming environment with a sea view. Another innovative experience will be provided by the hypersaline floating zone, where guests will float effortlessly in a highly saline pool, immersed in a warm, silent, and sensory-free environment.

Construction of the saline relaxation area, private spa, and additional services is currently in progress.

studiomarcopiva.com