Palazzo Durazzo Suites, Genoa, Italy
An Aristocratic Palazzo Reviving the Grandeur of La Superba
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A magnificent seventeenth-century Rolli palace restored by one of Genoa’s oldest noble families with exceptional sensitivity.
● Spectacular Baroque frescoes, museum-quality antiques, and contemporary design brought together with remarkable restraint.
● More than a boutique hotel, it has become a symbol of Genoa’s cultural renaissance and renewed confidence.
A Palace with a Purpose
Palazzo Durazzo is more than a remarkable restoration. Built in 1624 as part of Genoa’s prestigious Rolli system of noble residences, the palazzo has remained in the Cattaneo Adorno family for centuries. Today, architect Emanuela Brignone Cattaneo and Giacomo Cattaneo Adorno have transformed their ancestral home into an intimate hotel while preserving its original role as a place of hospitality, culture, and exchange. The project is as much about restoring Genoa’s identity as it is about restoring a building. History feels alive here. Not preserved behind glass.
Baroque Grandeur Meets Contemporary Elegance
The interiors balance magnificence with remarkable calm. Original frescoes by Genoese master Domenico Parodi, elaborate stuccowork, soaring vaulted ceilings, marble staircases, and richly decorated salons remain the undisputed stars of the building. Against this extraordinary backdrop, contemporary interventions—including a sculptural glass staircase, discreet lighting, refined textiles, and carefully selected modern furnishings—bring the palazzo naturally into the present. Nothing feels frozen in time. Everything feels beautifully inhabited.
Twelve Suites, Twelve Stories
Each of the twelve suites reflects a different chapter of Genoa’s extraordinary past. Some overlook the historic harbour, others face the labyrinthine caruggi that weave through the medieval city. Throughout the rooms, museum-quality antiques from the family’s private collection coexist with contemporary artworks, polished parquet floors, sleek bathrooms, and luxurious modern comforts. Whether sleeping beneath Neptune, surrounded by Chinese artefacts, or immersed in the world of Genoese songwriter Fabrizio De André, every suite feels deeply individual. The building becomes the storyteller. Guests simply become part of it.
Living Like a Genoese Noble
The atmosphere remains that of an elegant private residence. Breakfast is served beneath eleven-metre ceilings painted with scenes from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, while evenings naturally drift towards the magnificent salon for Ligurian wines, focaccia, pesto, and aperitivo beneath centuries-old frescoes. A small wellness area, personalised recommendations from the owners, and private boat excursions departing directly from the harbour reinforce the deeply personal character of the experience. Luxury is expressed quietly. Through generosity rather than excess.
Rediscovering Genoa
Perfectly positioned between the Old Port and the UNESCO-listed historic centre, Palazzo Durazzo offers immediate access to Via Garibaldi, the Rolli Palaces, the Aquarium, Renzo Piano’s waterfront, hidden churches, and the city’s endlessly fascinating medieval streets. Few hotels are so deeply connected to the place they inhabit.
Why It Works
Palazzo Durazzo Suites succeeds because it feels authentic in every sense. It is neither museum nor design hotel, but a living palazzo where centuries of aristocratic history continue to evolve. Through extraordinary restoration, thoughtful contemporary design, and heartfelt family hospitality, it reminds visitors why Genoa was once known as La Superba—and why that title still feels entirely deserved.
