Born from a family’s love affair with the breathtaking landscape and charming spirit of Monte Argentario, LA ROQQA and Isolotto Beach Club will debut in full this April, bringing a contemporary and cosmopolitan feel to this special peninsula, connected to the mainland by one piece of land shouldered by two lagoons.
LA ROQQA: a destination within a destination that has been transformed into a chic boutique hotel, and spectacular Beach Club, Isolotto. As the first and only destination beach club on Argentario Island, this vibrant new hotspot will bring a contemporary meaning to Italian resort life in the alluring harbor town of Porto Ercole.
Porto Ercole: The under-the-radar gem of Tuscany
Connected to the Tuscan mainland by one road dividing two lagoons, Porto Ercole lies on the east coast of Tuscany’s Monte Argentario, just 1.5 hours from Rome and 2.5 hours from Florence by car. A geological marvel, this rocky landmass was a true island for millennia until it became connected to the mainland by two long sandbars, and for centuries, has been considered one of the most authentic, charismatic Italian seaside towns. Replete with fragrant maquis, characteristic of Mediterranean coastal regions, interspersed with olive groves and gardens where bougainvillea, jasmine, and citrus trees thrive, Monte Argentario is a world apart, one made even more magical by the lagoon that separates it from terra firma, where flamingos skim across mirror-like waters. Steeped in history, Porto Ercole is protected by La Rocca, the Spanish-era fortress standing above the gate of Porto Ercole’s Borgo Antico (‘Old Town’), the pleasure-craft port, its café- and trattoria-lined waterfront, and the imposing 16th century Forte Filippo on the headland that shelters the bay to the north. Alone among Monte Argentario’s resorts, LA ROQQA combines the advantages of having both a buzzing town and a pristine stretch of coastline on its doorstep.
LA ROQQA: Contemporary Italian design meets 1960s Dolce Vita
Born from the Swedish-born Jonsson family’s love of summers spent holidaying on Argentario Island, LA ROQQA has been transformed following a three-year renovation from its former iteration to create something new and highly unique for this special region. The 55-room-and-suite boutique hotel is perfectly in tune with the surrounding landscape, with a contemporary and cosmopolitan feel by renowned Milanese design house, Palomba e Serafini Associati Studio. The slick and elegant design combines artisanal furnishings with iconic pieces from the 1960s and 1970s, while the color scheme reflects the typical hue of Porto Ercole’s local buildings, creating a sense of harmony with the environment. Blending the past with the future, the hotel is immersed in a vibrant community’s social and architectural fabric, yet still within easy walking distance of one of the area’s few sandy beaches, in a pristine natural beauty. This season will also see the unveiling of the hotel’s penthouse – the jewel in accommodation offerings on the island, complete with a private terrace offering 360° views – as well as a wellness space and artisan boutique. The beating heart of LA ROQQA is the vibrant rooftop restaurant, Scirocco, offering breathtaking views over Porto Ercole and the Corsini Botanical Gardens. Scirocco offers a contemporary take on traditional Tuscan cuisine serving family-style dishes using local and organic ingredients, a passion of Executive Chef, Francesco Ferretti, to celebrate the locality of the region. LA ROQQA also features a Mezzanine Restaurant and laidback drinks terrace where guests can enjoy an array of creative cocktails in a peaceful and relaxed environment.
Isolotto Beach Club: The ultra-chic beachside destination
April 2024 will see the completion of Isolotto Beach Club – LA ROQQA’s destination Beach Club just a stroll away in a secluded bay, with views over the small island after which it is named. Unique to the region’s rocky landscape, Isolotto is the only sandy stretch of coastline on the island and will become the new social hub of Monte Argentario, with two vibrant beachside restaurants serving a fresh and colorful menu of locally sourced fish and seasonal grilled dishes. In true Italian ‘villeggiatura’ style, the shoreline is dotted with chic umbrellas and loungers, and for the more active beachgoer, an open-air gym and yoga pavilion is perfectly positioned on the sloping lawn steps from the shoreline. With complimentary access to hotel guests-in-residence, at Isolotto, one can enjoy a plethora of activities both on land and water – exploring the beauty of the destination by sea on bespoke boat trips to nearby coves, enjoying private pottery lessons, cycling and hiking trails, beachside spa treatments, and more.
