Grand Hotel Flora Relaunches: Mid-Century Mediterranean Charm Reimagined in Sorrento

On July 31, 2026, Grand Hotel Flora officially reopened its doors after an extensive renovation led by Giuliano Andrea Dell’Uva studio. Overlooking the Gulf of Naples, this Sorrento landmark, founded in the 1960s by Pasquale Ruggiero and his wife Flora, aims to capture the spirit of its origins.

The hotel’s refreshed facade immediately establishes its identity. According to Sleeper Magazine, it's a "sophisticated fusion of architectural rationalism and Mediterranean sensibility." The building's light-colored volume, accented with green tiles, features a geometric composition of staggered, three-dimensional balconies. These elements create a dynamic play of light and shadow, while balustrades with white and sage green stripes introduce colors from the brand's palette, evoking coastal Miami architecture yet harmonizing with the local environment, as Sleeper Magazine notes.

Central to the project is a vision to preserve the unique appeal of 1960s and 1970s Italian holiday resorts—an era defined by "relaxed elegance, socialising and Mediterranean optimism," as described by Sleeper Magazine. This spirit is reinterpreted through contemporary design. The hotel’s historic connection to this period is underscored by its role as a filming location for Mario Amendola’s 1966 film, 'Viaggio di nozze all’italiana,' which immortalized its carefree atmosphere.

The streamlined historic canopy now ushers guests into a lobby that Sleeper Magazine characterizes as a "grand Mediterranean villa—open and light-filled." Tall windows create a sense of depth towards the pool area. A monolithic octagonal granite table anchors the space, featuring 1950s anthropomorphic vases from the C.A.S. workshop in Vietri, highlighting the hotel’s connection to local craftsmanship. Polished flooring, custom-designed with large tiles in blues, light blues, and grays, reflects natural light, creating an "almost aquatic effect that immerses you in the sea of the Amalfi Coast," Sleeper Magazine reports.

Our take: Grand Hotel Flora's commitment to its heritage, reinterpreted through a modern lens, positions it as a significant re-entry into Sorrento's luxury hospitality scene. The careful balance between historical reverence and contemporary design promises an experience that is both nostalgic and current, a feat often attempted but rarely achieved with such deliberate detail.