Gio Ponti's Parco dei Principi Hotel
-
A fitting crown tops the Parco dei Principi hotel, Gio Ponti's Sorrento masterpiece.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
Located on the grounds of the 1792 Villa Siracusa, Ponti's 1961 design is set amidst a tropical garden featuring dozens of species of rare and exotic palms. Roberto Fernandes commissioned Ponti to design the 96-room hotel atop the ruins of a nineteenth century English Gothic castle. In many respects, the design feels at once hypermodern (for 1961 perhaps) while maintaining cognizance of its regal heritage—Ponti would write, "For life to be great and full we have to combine the past with the future."Photo by: Sam Grawe -
The lobby gives visitors an immediate sense of the hotel's design vocabulary. With the exception of some wood accents, almost every surface is either blue or white. Thousands of ceramic "pebbles" are set into the walls, adding an almost unbelievable level of workmanship and craft to the interior.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
The lobby's waiting area includes a few vignettes of Ponti's original furnishings, which are clad in their original upholstery (though restored in a recent renovation). This set-up includes the 899 armchair and sofa.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
Although the elevators' interiors were one of the few things to be upgraded in a recent renovation, Ponti's elaborate graphic designs for the ceramic pebble surfaces remain intact.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
Small details—such as the hallway's square overhead lights set at an angle to create a diamond pattern—make the most of the prosaic materials available in post-war Italy.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
The 96 rooms face either the park or the ocean, and they are all outfitted with nearly identical furnishings, including these custom-designed headboards covered in blue laminate. Buttons to the side operate the mechanical louvers and bedside lights.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
Blue laminate is also featured prominently in the built-in cabinetry.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
Our room was also outfitted with this custom designed desk with attached mirror and an iconic Superleggera chair.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
Even the reading light was worth writing home about—and of course fit the color palette.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
A view of the sea through the wrought iron balustrade on our room's balcony.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
Perhaps the hotel's most distinctive features are the 30 custom tile patterns, which Ponti designed; they were executed by a local producer, Ceramica D'Agostino, in nearby Salerno. Our room featured the first pattern he conceptualized, which was purportedly his favorite.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
On a tour, we got the chance to see a number of the other patterns used throughout the hotel. With variations in their placement, almost every room has a unique tile layout.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
Almost all the patterns feature the same shades of blue and white, thought by the architect to produce a calming effect.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
This design was only used in the main dining room.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
A design from one of the park-facing guest rooms.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
By rotating the individual tiles, this pattern alone could create four distinct layout configurations.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
The impression of a 3D relief was overwhelming with this pattern.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
In the lobby, marble frames the laurel-like pattern.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
In this tessellation, crescent moons form circles.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
This starburst pattern graces the downstairs bar.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
The bar itself is faced with more ceramic pebbles with the lobby's color scheme in reverse. One can only imagine how swinging it must have been in 1962.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
The lounge is faced with more sculptural tiles by Fausto Melotti and furnished with a few of the only non-Ponti-designed pieces in the hotel. The seats are the 865 series by Ico Parisi.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
Throughout the first floor lounge and lobby areas, clever lamps made from folded metal are set atop Melotti's tiles.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
Giant pillars in the lobby are reminiscent of Ponti's faceted design for the Pirrelli tower in Milan.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
Even the mailbox is of original vintage. Modernist postcard enthusiasts rejoice!Photo by: Sam Grawe -
One of the hotel's most celebrated features—a free-form pool with a swim-through island and diving board rising from its depths—was closed during our February stay.Photo by: Sam Grawe -
Our view across the Bay of Naples to Vesuvius has been enjoyed since Roman times. Incredible!Photo by: Sam Grawe -
What better way to end the day than with an Amalfi sunset. Ciao!Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!
Photo by: Sam Grawe
Categories:
More
Mid-Century Finds
Too much time has passed since we last checked in with mid-century furniture aficionado Sam Kaufman, whose diminutive gallery on Beverly Boulevard is always stocked with the most wonderful things.
Hotel Missoni Kuwait
Gold. Mosaic. Gold. Turquoise. Gold. Did I mention gold?
The Scandic Grand Central, Stockholm
Greetings from Sweden!
Slumber Party
The latest trend in hotel design is none other than bunk beds.
Add comment