Since its debut in 1960, Bagno Maitò (Maitò Beach) embodies the elegant soul of Forte dei Marmi—an ageless icon where time seems to have stopped at the golden days of Versilia. Maitò is not just a place but a living page of Forte dei Marmi’s history, a stage of countless events and social gatherings that have marked entire generations. After over sixty years of life, Maitò has undergone a major three-phase transformation. Evolving without losing its authenticity, Maitò Beach now boasts a fresh and contemporary aesthetic that honors its historic past. Discover more.
Maitò Beach Renovation Project
The renovation was entrusted to the Vitaloni+Partners studio, which oversaw the entire process—from the design vision to artistic direction. Michele Vitaloni approached the restyling of Maitò as a balance between memory and modernity, placing the intervention within a narrative and sensorial design journey.
The intervention at Maitò was conceived to preserve the authentic soul of Forte dei Marmi while blending harmoniously with the surrounding natural environment. The design concept developed by Michele Vitaloni stands out for its clean, rational language, grounded in the traditional local colors—white and light blue—which evoke the marine identity and sober elegance of Versilia. The goal was to shape a space suspended in time, where the very concept of “place” dissolves: a space that erases geographic coordinates yet remains deeply recognizable.
“My task was to interpret the clients’ wishes and bring their dream to life,” says Michele Vitaloni – “creating an alchemy between nature, art, tradition, food, and design, giving birth to a magical place.”
Another objective was to emphasize, even from the outside, the grandeur of Maitò, uniting the restaurant, the historic beach club Maitò, and the former Orsa Maggiore structure into one coherent frame, making possible the creation of a swimming pool, a water mirror of approximately 300 square meters.
Design Concept
The guiding idea was to create an environment that evokes a sense of understated sophistication, where design blends harmoniously with the natural setting. The project focused on a color palette inspired by sand, the sea, and Mediterranean vegetation, favoring natural materials and handcrafted finishes.
The pathways, lounge areas, and services were redesigned to ensure a fluid, elegant, and comfortable experience, in which every element-from custom furnishings to scenic lighting—contributes to building a coherent narrative.
Main Interventions
Restyling of the central walkway: a promenade serving as the spine of the project, defined by clean geometry and material details inspired by seaside tradition.
Reorganization of functional spaces: from reception to services, everything was redesigned with a focus on efficiency and comfort, improving usability for both guests and staff.
New lounge and relaxation areas: quiet islands bathed in natural light, featuring technical fabrics, treated wood, and minimalistic seating.
Material choices: teak and lacquered wood, nautical ropes, satin-finished metals, and travertine surfaces were carefully combined to create a refined yet discreet sensory perception.
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The Pool
The heart of the project is the pool, around which fully custom furnishings are arranged—from cabana areas to sunshades, up to dividing elements that allow the space to be experienced as a large open space or, when needed, to be modulated into more private settings. The textures, in teak colored and lacquered wood, give the entire project visual continuity and aesthetic coherence.
The swimming pool is lined with Laminam porcelain stoneware, while a freestanding marble and wood volume—exclusively designed by Michele Vitaloni—features a custom texture developed specifically for Maitò. The fireplaces in amazonite are lit at sunset, creating a unique scenic effect where water, fire, and nature merge. The entire facility was designed to provide an exclusive experience. The 300-square-meter pool includes hydromassage zones, a bar corner, and luxury islands.
The furnishings were designed for versatility: the central sofa was custom-made and designed by Michele Vitaloni, who also curated the textile selection and overall artistic direction. The poolside loungers, designed by Talenti, are paired with custom models arranged under canopies that can be transformed into seats and tables—a dynamic solution that allows the pool area to shift from lounge and relaxation zone to an elegant open-air restaurant.
At the center of the pool, clad in amazonite, a mechanism was integrated that allows the ascent and descent of a stage-platform, designed to host events and performances. This space has already welcomed renowned artists such as Andrea Bocelli and Patti Pravo, with the evocative backdrop of moving water.
The strong point of the landscape design is its ability to dialogue and integrate with the environment through tropical vegetation that visually unifies the outdoor space, creating continuity between various areas and extending to the beach. Bamboo cladding and wavy walls create a rhythm that flows endlessly, like sea waves.
The lighting system was designed in collaboration with Filippo Cannata. Hidden among the greenery, the lighting features integrated fixtures and sharp RGB LED lines that highlight and define the pool’s contours.
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Maitò Beach Interior Renovation
One of the most interesting aspects of the renovation is the interior of the former Orsa Maggiore entrance, whose walls have been covered with stainless steel panelling with brushed brass inserts, creating refined geometries. In addition, a copper sail with a DeNuance finish, custom-made by De Castelli, adds movement and dynamism to the entrance corridor.
The bathrooms, in wood and marble, are enhanced by custom lamps designed by Michele Vitaloni, creating a scenic effect inspired by the movement of the sea: metallic waves in iridescent blue evoke an underwater tunnel leading to the interior spaces.
The access path is defined by a sequence of natural and architectural elements: bamboo and reflecting pools guide visitors along a suspended mesh metal structure enveloped by climbing plants forming a green, immersive tunnel.
At the end of the pathway is the common area adjacent to the beach, featuring a newly designed, elegant bar characterized by glass surfaces, blue-toned rods, teak flooring, and lush vegetation. Small lounge areas, separated by green curtains and furnished with seating by Edra, Driade, and B&B, ensure privacy and elevate the overall experience.
Project Identity
Maitò is a symbolic place for Versilia, representing the silent luxury and natural elegance that made this region famous. The renovation aimed to preserve the soul of the place, enhancing its iconic past while projecting it into the future through a contemporary yet respectful architectural language.
The result is a project that interprets design as both experience and storytelling—where architecture, memory, and atmosphere merge to offer an authentic, evocative, and timeless space.
Photos: ©Diego Laurino Photographer
Vitaloni+Partners Press / La-Kini | PR & Media Relations
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