Art Hotel in Forte dei Marmi: A Creative Retreat at La Serena

La Serena is a five-star boutique hotel in Forte dei Marmi that feels like living inside a contemporary gallery. With curated artworks, an artist residency, a Mediterranean garden and pool, it is a true art hotel on the Tuscan coast for guests seeking a creative, inspiring retreat.

An art hotel in the heart of Forte dei Marmi

Set between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Apuan Alps, La Serena sits in Forte dei Marmi, a seaside town long favoured by artists, writers and Italian families in search of understated elegance. The hotel translates this heritage into a refined, art-led experience while keeping the relaxed rhythm of a beach town.

Architecture and interiors favour clean lines, natural materials and generous light. From the entrance to the leafy garden, the spaces feel calm and intentionally designed, more like a private villa than a large resort. The boutique scale allows the team to offer attentive, discreet service, with a focus on privacy and personalization.

A short distance from the beach clubs and the seafront promenade, La Serena lets you alternate between days at the sea, cultural excursions in Tuscany and slow afternoons by the pool, surrounded by sculptures, pine trees and contemporary pieces.

Living inside a curated gallery

What defines La Serena as an art hotel in Forte dei Marmi is its gallery-like approach. Instead of confining artworks to one room, the hotel curates pieces throughout the building: corridors, lounges, staircases and selected guest rooms become part of the narrative.

Through its collaboration with Tabari Artspace, an influential gallery based in Dubai, La Serena hosts a rotating programme of international artists. Seasonal exhibitions and installations keep the experience fresh for returning guests, who discover new perspectives and visual stories each time they visit.

The hotel also runs a structured artist residency from spring to late summer, currently scheduled between April and August. Selected visual artists are offered a dedicated studio, time, and the tranquil atmosphere of the Tuscan coast to develop new work. During their stay, they produce and exhibit pieces on-site and may open their studios to guests, turning the property into a place of dialogue and creative exchange.

Rooms and suites for quiet creativity

Guest rooms and suites at La Serena are designed as serene retreats where you can read, write, sketch or simply switch off. A soft, coastal-inspired palette, bespoke furniture and carefully placed artworks create an atmosphere that is both contemporary and warm.

Bathrooms feature noble materials such as Carrara marble, a subtle nod to the nearby quarries that have shaped the history of Tuscan sculpture. Many rooms open onto balconies or terraces overlooking the garden, the pines or the rooftops of Forte dei Marmi, offering natural light and fresh air throughout the day.

Whether you are returning from the beach, a studio visit or a day in Florence, the feeling is always the same: stepping back into a quiet, artful cocoon where everything has been considered to make you feel at ease.

Tuscan flavours and convivial evenings

Art and taste go hand in hand at La Serena. The restaurant showcases Tuscan cuisine with a contemporary twist, focusing on local ingredients, fresh seafood and seasonal produce. Plates are composed with the same sense of colour and balance that runs through the hotel’s design.

At the bar, cocktails are crafted with precision and a touch of playfulness, while the wine cellar holds an extensive selection that runs into the thousands of bottles. Guests can explore classic Tuscan reds, elegant whites and a thoughtful range of international labels, guided by the team according to their tastes.

Meals can be enjoyed indoors or on the terrace shaded by pine trees, with the pool and garden just a few steps away. Evenings naturally stretch out into unhurried conversations, whether between friends, couples, families or fellow art lovers.

Creative experiences around Forte dei Marmi

Beyond the property, La Serena is perfectly placed to explore what could be called Tuscany’s “cultural Riviera”. The concierge can arrange visits to the Carrara marble quarries, where blocks of stone have been extracted for centuries, or to nearby Pietrasanta, known for its galleries, foundries and sculptors’ studios.

Day trips to Pisa, Lucca or Florence offer the chance to pair your seaside retreat with world-class museums and Renaissance architecture. Private boat excursions along the Versilia shoreline reveal a different perspective on the region’s light and landscape, often a source of inspiration for painters and photographers.

Closer to home, complimentary bicycles make it easy to explore Forte dei Marmi’s tree-lined avenues, markets and cafés at your own pace. This gentle, slow-travel rhythm – moving between sea, art and everyday Italian life – is precisely what makes La Serena such a compelling creative retreat.

Who La Serena is perfect for

La Serena is an art hotel in Forte dei Marmi for guests who value aesthetics, culture and calm as much as comfort. It suits solo travellers seeking a quiet base to write or create, couples looking for a sophisticated yet relaxed escape, and families who appreciate design and authenticity.

The artist residency, the curated exhibitions, the proximity to Pietrasanta and Carrara, and the easy access from Pisa and Florence all contribute to its appeal. Whether you stay a few nights or a longer stretch, La Serena offers not just a room by the sea, but a thoughtful environment where art, design and Tuscan everyday life come together.

Key facts

• Five-star boutique hotel in Forte dei Marmi, Tuscany
  
  
• Strong art identity with curated contemporary works across the property
  
  
• Seasonal artist residency programme with on-site studios and exhibitions
  
  
• Mediterranean garden with outdoor pool and shaded lounging areas
  
  
• Restaurant and bar highlighting Italian cuisine and an extensive wine list
  
  
• Easy access to Carrara, Pietrasanta, Pisa, Lucca and Florence for day trips
  
  
• Complimentary bicycles and optional transfers from Forte dei Marmi station or Pisa airport
  
  

FAQ

What makes La Serena an art hotel in Forte dei Marmi?
Art is woven into every part of the experience: curated works in rooms and public spaces, partnerships with galleries, and an in-house artist residency. Guests are invited to live with the art rather than just look at it briefly.

Can guests meet the artists in residence?
During the residency season, artists work on-site and exhibit new pieces at the hotel. At selected moments, they may open their studios to guests, offering the chance to see works in progress and engage in conversation, subject to their schedule.

Is La Serena suitable if I’m travelling with someone who isn’t into art?
Yes. While art is central to the concept, La Serena remains a comfortable, relaxed seaside hotel with a pool, garden, excellent food and easy access to the beach. You can enjoy as much or as little of the cultural programme as you like.

How do I reach La Serena from Pisa or Florence?
By car, Forte dei Marmi is around thirty minutes from Pisa and roughly one hour and fifteen minutes from Florence. Guests arriving at Forte dei Marmi railway station or Pisa airport can request a shuttle service in advance directly with the hotel, subject to availability.

When is the best time to book a creative retreat at La Serena?
Summer is ideal if you want the full seaside atmosphere and vibrant Forte dei Marmi lifestyle. Spring and early autumn are quieter, with softer light and fewer crowds, which many creative guests find especially inspiring. For those interested in the residency programme, the period from April to August is particularly relevant.