Introducing LA ROQQA & Isolotto Beach Club

A Spectacular New Destination in Porto Ercole, the Charm-Steeped Italian Harbour Town on Argentario Island off Mainland Tuscany

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.

February 2024 – Perowne International is delighted to announce its appointment as the global PR representative for 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 harbour 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. For centuries, it has been considered one of the most authentic and 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. It is made even more magical by the lagoon separating 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 and its café- and trattoria-lined waterfront, as well as 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 totally transformed following a three-year renovation of its former iteration, creating 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 created 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 colour scheme reflects the typical hues 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 the social and architectural fabric of a vibrant community yet remains within easy walking distance of one of the area’s few sandy beaches, in a setting of pristine natural beauty.

This season will also see the unveiling of the hotel’s penthouse—the jewel in the island’s accommodation offerings—complete with a private terrace offering 360-degree views, as well as a wellness space and artisan boutique.

The beating heart of LA ROQQA is the vibrant rooftop restaurant, Scirocco, which offers breathtaking views over Porto Ercole and the Corsini Botanical Gardens. Scirocco presents a contemporary take on traditional Tuscan cuisine, serving family-style dishes made with local and organic ingredients. This reflects Executive Chef Francesco Ferretti’s passion for celebrating the region’s local produce.

LA ROQQA also features a mezzanine restaurant and laid-back 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, located just a stroll away in a secluded bay with views over the small island after which it is named.

Unique within the region’s rocky landscape, Isolotto is the only sandy stretch of coastline on the island. It will become the new social hub of Monte Argentario, with two vibrant beachside restaurants serving fresh and colourful menus of locally sourced fish and seasonal grilled dishes.

In true Italian villeggiatura style, the shoreline is dotted with chic umbrellas and loungers. For more active beachgoers, an open-air gym and yoga pavilion are perfectly positioned on the sloping lawn, steps from the shoreline.

With complimentary access for hotel guests in residence, Isolotto offers a plethora of activities both on land and on the water. Guests can explore the beauty of the destination by sea on bespoke boat trips to nearby coves, enjoy private pottery lessons, follow cycling and hiking trails, indulge in beachside spa treatments and more.

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