Hidden away in Ladispoli is one of Italy’s most fascinating, historic, and exclusive seaside retreats: La Posta Vecchia Hotel, a 17th-century villa that embodies the most authentic and sophisticated essence of high-end hospitality.

Just forty minutes from Rome, along the historic Via Aurelia in the seaside resort and nature reserve of Palo Laziale, La Posta Vecchia is a magical place where archaeological heritage, Renaissance art, superb seasonal cuisine, and the distinctive lifestyle touch of Marie-Louise Sciò and Pellicano Hotels blend into a unique and memorable experience.

A place that has shaped Italian history—with a charm rooted in ancient Rome, molded during the Renaissance, and reborn through the contemporary Dolce Vita signature of Pellicano Hotels.

The History: A Blend of Art, Emperors, and Patrons

La Posta Vecchia stands as a remarkable witness to Italian history. Built on a seaside site once favored and frequented by Roman emperors, the property originated in 1640 as a Renaissance palace commissioned by the Orsini Princes, before passing into the hands of the noble Odescalchi family.

In the 19th century, it served as a Papal staging post—complete with a customs house and an inn offering refreshments (from which it derives its name)—until a fire destroyed it in 1900, leaving it abandoned until the 1960s.

In 1960, the villa caught the eye of American billionaire and patron of the arts Jean Paul Getty, who purchased it and made it his private residence. Under the expert guidance of renowned art historian Federico Zeri, Getty filled its rooms with masterpieces, exquisite tapestries, and Renaissance furnishings.

In the 1980s, the property passed to entrepreneur Roberto Sciò, who opened it to the public in 1990 as a sophisticated 5-star seaside boutique hotel, preserving its original charm—from the furnishings to the artworks and tapestries. Today, it is led with modern vision, dynamism, and elegance by his daughter, Marie-Louise Sciò, Creative Director and CEO of Pellicano Hotels.

Restoration, the private museum, and the treasures of Alsium

It was during the extensive restoration work commissioned by J.P. Getty in the 1960s that an extraordinary discovery was made: beneath the villa’s foundations, ruins and artifacts from the ancient Roman city of Alsium (dating back as far as the 2nd century BC) came to light. Polychrome mosaics, Roman walls, African and Greek marbles, amphorae, and dishes were preserved and showcased by Getty right within the building’s foundations.

Today, the property’s cellar houses a genuine private archaeological museum, open to hotel guests for a unique journey back in time.

Rooms and suites: artistic sanctuaries with a Fellini-esque atmosphere

The 21 rooms and suites—comprising elegant Superior Rooms, charming Tower Rooms, and spectacular Suites—are all unique spaces where the grandeur of a Fellini film meets the eclectic taste of a collector’s home.

There are many dream-like suites to choose from, such as the sea-view Getty Suite—adorned with period tapestries and a lavish Renaissance-style bathroom featuring copper fixtures and fittings—and the Medici Suite, which boasts two dramatic marble staircases and a deep pink bathtub that echoes the room’s period details.

Ristorante Da Aurelio and Bar Piranesi

The culinary offering is a cornerstone of the La Posta Vecchia experience.

Ristorante Da Aurelio, led by Head Chef Andrea Barcia, serves refined cuisine that interprets the flavors of Palo Laziale, Upper Lazio, and Italian tradition with a contemporary sensibility—all enjoyed on a stunning panoramic terrace overlooking the sea.

Meanwhile, Bar Piranesi—housed in what was once Getty’s private study—offers signature cocktails amidst an elegant, softly lit atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era.

Wellness & Leisure

Opened in 2026, the panoramic outdoor pool is perfectly nestled within the archaeological garden, featuring a sophisticated checkerboard-patterned floor that visually merges with the waves of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Set amidst five hectares of lush parkland, the property offers a wide range of relaxation activities—from a private beach to a wellness center overlooking the heated indoor stone pool—featuring exclusive treatments using natural Seed to Skin Tuscany products.

The Secret

Descending a hidden staircase from the hotel’s lower level, one leaves the world of the luxury resort behind to enter a genuine underground archaeological site. Walking along the cellar’s ​​protected pathways, guests can admire the original remains of a majestic 2nd-century BC Roman villa up close—complete with perfectly preserved mosaic floors and period artifacts—at the very spot where Jean Paul Getty loved to retreat in solitude to study antiquities.

Useful Info

La Posta Vecchia Hotel
Palo Laziale
00055 Ladispoli, Roma
Tel. +39 06 9949501

Rooms: from €400 per night, including breakfast (prices vary based on the season and room type)