Built in 1899 as a private villa, the Pensione America is one of the first residences in Forte dei Marmi, a symbol of the emergence of the elite holiday resort on the Versilia coast. In 1922, the villa was converted into a hotel, becoming a favourite haunt for intellectuals, aristocrats and artists. Over the decades, the establishment retained its iconic status as part of Versilia’s ‘Dolce Vita’ right up until the 1990s. After around twenty years of closure and neglect, in 2021 the property was acquired by a Florentine family who also own the Grand Hotel Minerva in Florence, formerly a member of the Locali Storici d’Italia. The new owners have entrusted the restoration project to the architect Piera Tempesti Benelli – the same architect who oversaw the restoration of the Minerva – with the aim of preserving the historic character of the hotel whilst bringing it up to the standards of a five-star luxury hotel. The restoration has brought to light the timeless elegance of Pensione America, retaining the original name and logo, and showcasing bespoke, handcrafted furnishings and accessories. Reopened in April 2025, Pensione America is now an adults-only boutique hotel with just 17 rooms, set amidst a garden of wisteria and lemon trees, just a stone’s throw from the sea. The refined and light-filled interiors tell the hotel’s story through handcrafted details and an atmosphere that evokes the Versilian hotel-keeping tradition. The Pensione America stands as a shining example of the restoration and enhancement of a historic heritage, keeping alive the memory of one of Forte dei Marmi’s first hotels and reaffirming the commitment of an Italian family-run business to preserving the Italian hotel-keeping tradition.