Docking at Italy’s New Riva Lounge
Lounging at Borgo Santandrea just got more luxurious.
When it comes to iconic Italian brands, Riva is in a class of its own. Since its founding on the shores of Lake Iseo in 1842, the company has remained one of the world’s most celebrated and sought after boat makers, with nearly 200 years of history and a clientele that spans celebrities, royalty, and the international jet set.
Yachts aside, the company has focused on bringing its nautical lifestyle to dry land through its prestigious Riva Destinations program. For yacht owners and luxury travellers alike, these include branded lounges and hospitality experiences in the world’s most coveted waterfront locations, be it Mallorca or Monte Carlo, Jeddah or Rovinj.
This summer, Riva added to its covetable real estate portfolio with the opening of its 12th location, at Borgo Santandrea. The move marks the first branded Riva destination of its kind in southern Italy. This five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel, soaring 90 metres above the Mediterranean, sits tucked into the rocky cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, with views of the dazzling blue sea and the quaint fishing village of Conca dei Marini below.
Since opening in 2021 after a multiyear restoration, Borgo Santandrea has secured its reputation as one of the most prominent addresses in Italy. The venue is owned by two families from Ischia who ambitiously reimagined an existing 1960s hotel, turning it into a haven of midcentury design and classic Mediterranean style while ushering in a new generation of discerning clients. Today, it boasts sumptuous guest rooms with spectacular vistas, along with fragrant terraced gardens, a private beach, and a stylish beach club that’s recently been installed with archival photographs of Riva yachts on the water.
The hotel’s buzzing new Riva Lounge encapsulates the yacht maker’s trademark aesthetic, with its lacquered-mahogany finishes, Aquarama furniture, sparkling steel and chrome accents, and aquamarine hues.
Guests of Borgo Santandrea can also partake in a bevy of cruising experiences through the hotel’s private fleet, including a limited-edition Riva Cento. This limited-edition ultraluxe 39-foot open day cruiser is one of just 12 built to date, and among only 100 to be produced in total.
Passengers lucky enough to board the prized vessel depart directly from the private dock and can venture to some of the Amalfi’s most striking coves and stunning coastlines. Dedicated moorings are also available for Riva owners arriving at the hotel by yacht.
Ultimately, the partnership is a coming together of two Italian icons, and one that Borgo Santandrea’s general manager and co-owner Maurizio Orlacchio is proud to be a part of. “Borgo Santandrea and Riva share the same spirit: a devotion to Italian craftsmanship and timeless design that has never chased trends,” he says. “Opening this Riva Lounge here felt like a natural next chapter for us both, a place where the sea, the light, and this kind of heritage all belong together.”
