Your room is majestic, furnished by someone who takes a deep pleasure in beautiful art and historic pieces, indeed it was the room of a man who could afford anything in the world. Here a 16th century Venetian chest, there a 17th century armchair from Northern Italy, on the table a four hundred year old decorative case with an inlay depicting the Judgement of Solomon, walls hung with Meissen porcelain, floors swathed in rich woven carpets.

A splendid suite belonging to Getty and his mistress, a wealth of history, art and decadence. Today guests live in equal splendour amidst fine pieces from the collection such as a 17th century De Rosi map of Lazio, a similar period marbled table from Naples and an exquisite ornate hand-crafted bed. Reclining one seems to float into the sea views that soothed hearts and minds since Caesar rested at this Rome retreat.

Views are either over the Tyrrhenian or Italian gardens. Interiors are aristocratic, fine sheets spill over your legs like a waterfall, antiques and masterpieces abound, a 17th century Madonna or an 18th century depiction of a Rome carnival.

Younger guests love the beach below with rock pools, while corridors echo with the laughter of a family home. Getty’s collection has been preserved intact, rooms are filled with fine artworks. Historic integrity is honoured with beds draped in velvet, cushions in regal fabric and chandeliers swing from chestnut beams on the box wood ceilings. Two Junior Suites overlook the sea through picturesque medieval size windows, they are on the attic floor – reachable by steps only- while one suite, with a view over our manicured Italian style gardens, is on the first floor.

Walking to your room you pass fabulous works of Renaissance art from Getty’s private collection, and as your head touches the pillow you might remind yourself there is a 2BC archaeological site a few floors beneath you. Some of these interiors feature original designs by Federico Zeri for J. P. Getty, and have been updated with the careful eye of your hostess and renowned Italian tastemaker, Marie-Louise Sciò. The handsomely framed sea view is eternally beautiful, a rare pleasure when enjoyed in the fine luxury of this Rome retreat.

Here was a ‘voluptuous seaside retreat’ for Roman imperators, Renaissance princes and the fabled billionaire JP Getty. All the Superior Deluxe Rooms overlook our Italian style gardens. A few of them, located on the first floor and reachable by lift, are decorated with fine art and antiques while some other rooms with classical furniture and more modern bathroom fixtures are placed on the attic floor, not served by the elevator being a 17th century mansion. One Superior Deluxe Room is easily accessible being located on the ground floor.

The rooms are located on the top floor, reachable by steps only, and enjoy a view over the Italian style gardens. A contemporary style makes a fine backdrop for the lavish furnishings and select pieces from the private art collection. You might read by the light of a 19th century gold lamp carved with scrolls and flowers, or dress before an ornate mirror exquisitely crafted 200 years ago. One room features a pair of 18th century canopy beds, another is elegant with a velvet headboard and satin drapes. The interiors represent a pocket collection of the historic riches gathered by Getty. Bathrooms are finished in hand painted Italian tiles or marble. Create your own two bedroom apartment by connecting a Double Standard to a Superior Deluxe Room located on the attic floor, reachable by steps only and featuring picturesque medieval size windows.

Beneath the terrace gentle seas lap the palazzo walls, the same seductive view since sunlight glinted off Caesar’s laurel crown. Tables are simply dressed in white linen and minimum glassware, giving centre stage to the gourmet cuisine of La Posta Vecchia’s culinary maestro, Antonio Magliulo.

Chef Antonio believes, ‘We must be able to eat a dish with our eyes closed and understand everything without looking, where each flavour has its own moment’, a promise immediately fulfilled with a perfect pillow of homemade bread in a crusty case and the most delicately aromatic olive oil.

And so the tour de force begins as he does astonishing things with sea bass, baby squid and crab, Piemontese beef and pioppini mushrooms, or pink breast of pigeon with black salsify.

Every day Chef Antonio is delighted to discover some special ingredients which he presents with gusto for his guests, it may be a white truffle or a courgette flower from his garden, close your eyes to taste the essence of Cesar, La Posta Vecchia restaurant.

Pompeii and Caesar were first among the elite to recognize the cool and calmer atmosphere of this corner of the Thyrennian coast. Our stone pool has reflections of Roman decadence, surrounded by glass with sunlight playing on the water’s ripples. As you glide through the water you can gaze across the wide seas, like some Romanesque beauty anticipating someone’s return.

Our Beach Club is open to non-resident guests in our “Treat for a day” program, including a welcome cocktail, access to our pool with sea front terrace, the calidarium and the tennis court.

Our therapists are not just adept at applying luxurious treatments but seek out each individual’s needs of the moment, relieving stress, relaxing minds, breathing fresh air and energy into your body. Our director of wellness, Barbara, understands that ‘Beauty treatments are like your food, you should nurture your complexion with pure ingredients’. Barbara follows what she terms a farm to spa concept using both the refined organic range Santa Maria Novella of Firenze and ingredients from La Posta Vecchia’s verdant gardens, such as romatic plants, lavander, fruits and vegetables with nourishing, moisturizing, purifying, anti-oxidant properties, combined with oat flour, honey and olive oil.

Santa Maria Novella have been creating natural beauty products since 1612, they cultivate their ingredients on 15,000 sqm gardens above Florence; where lotions are made from iris, rose and broom to refresh, peppermint to soothe and aloe vera to replenish. All applied with sensitive healing hands at our beauty centre. Guests are invited to relax in the caldarium prior to treatment.

By the helipad we have a floodlit tennis court, with rackets and balls available at the hotel. There is a keep fit trail for press ups and roll downs; guests can trim up abs, backs and biceps with a personal trainer. Our garden has a circuit of camellia lined trails, and we offer you complimentary bicycles to tour the grounds or beyond our wrought iron gates.