Palo Laziale, Italy
La Posta Vecchia Hotel
An discreet foray into aristocratic grandeur
What it is
An exclusive estate that celebrates legacy and aristocracy.
What it isn't
One of the hot spots on the nightlife circuit.
What we think
American oil tycoon J. Paul Getty spotted, purchased and transformed the former carriage house into an extravagant villa and packed it with all the antiques, art and eccentricities his limitless wealth could afford. Its past as a garage for the postman’s horse and carriage is now solely contained to its name. After Getty’s death, the private estate become a hotel; incredibly, the space feels comfortable in its opulence - there’s no lurking notion that this is a kid playing dress up nor that this is a stiff, dusty museum. It instead carries a dignified sense of aristocracy. Open from March to November, the 19 rooms are, of course, lavishly decorated and the quietly ever-present staff, which seems to continually update its service to the most contemporary sensibility (for example, the electronic gate and the robot guards,) maintains a sense of low-key prestige. The Cesar, the gourmet restaurant, open for lunch and dinner, executes dishes that fall under the “traditional but with a contemporary twist” category, but phenomenally and with a magical view just meters from the sea.
Note: this property is open seasonally from March to November
You're here because
You’re looking for a place that offers an experience that doesn’t limit the height luxury can reach.
The Moment
The concierge, with reserved confidence, informs you that when Getty ordered the building of a pool on the premises, his workers discovered a Roman villa. The ruins are thought to be a retreat of Caesar’s. Wandering across the manicured lawns, you look for the private museum that holds ancient mosaic floors, walls and pottery…feeling quite in the same league as Julius.
Restaurants & Bars
The Cesar - Chef Antonio Magliulo puts a unique twist on fine Italian gastronomy in either the elegant vaulted dining room, the breathtaking, panoramic terrace on the ocean or in the intimate garden.
Location
Isolated, about a 40-minute drive from the Vatican, set beside romantic Odescalchi Castle. From Rome's international airport, it's just under 45 minutes.