A hillside resort

Location: the hills of the western Ligurian coast facing onto the sea, just a few kilometres from Arma di Taggia. Project: the Castellaro Golf Resort, an exclusive four-star hotel designed by the Turin-based architecture firm of Mario Roggeri on behalf of Gruppo Cozzi-Parodi. Here nature and architecture go hand in hand as a result of skilful integration between built areas and the natural landscape. The facility takes the form of a destructured complex consisting of a number of modules set in the green surroundings of a splendid golf course (nine holes and a total length of 2,500 metres). Along with the 64 rooms in the central building there are about a hundred micro-apartments dotted over the hillside like the houses of a Ligurian village, emulating its forms and materials. Single- or two-room apartments are available to cater for couples or families, all perfectly furnished and complete with cooking areas. They also offer the latest technologies including Wi-Fi Internet access and satellite TV. Alongside the hospitality areas there are also a wide range of services. A large swimming pool is set in the green space next to the hotel where guests can alternate sunbathing with a refreshing dip in the water. The restaurant commands splendid views with its large windows that look out over the sea. Guests can relax at a spa which features a covered swimming pool along with a sauna, Turkish bath and a well-equipped gym. Last but not least is the golf course and Club House where members can make use of a bar and a splendid terrace overlooking the golf course. In a secluded area with respect to the hotel is located the 800-seat “Gianni Cozzi” Congress Centre. Special attention was devoted to the choice of materials, particularly those for covering the interior and exterior walkways. The designer, architect Anna Maria Grignuoli, who collaborated with Mario Roggeri on the finishings, opted for porcelain tile (Industrie Ceramiche Piemme), a material that combines aesthetic qualities with high resistance to loading stress and the elements. In particular, the ceramic tiles (“Le Pietre” series) used for the exterior walkways and the internal spa area have a special stone finish effect which fits in perfectly with the aesthetics of the local building tradition and also delivers non-slip performance that is ideal for wet areas. Furthermore, the same series with high abrasion resistance was used in the Club House where members usually wear spiked shoes. For the interior of the hotel and the apartments, the designer opted for porcelain tiles with a softer touch surface and more delicate colours that would go well with the design of the furnishings while assuring resistance and long-term durability (“Astri” series from Piemmegres).