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Wellness beside the sea and Mediterranean scrub
reading time: 4 minutes
In Taormina, the Grand Hotel San Pietro has a spa overlooking the splendid panorama. Marble-effect floor coverings that amplify light, walls that resemble karstic rock and salt brick walls provide a natural effect ideal for relaxation.
Boasting a breathtaking view of the Ionian Sea, the Grand Hotel San Pietro in Taormina is the perfect place for relaxation.
The building is a recently restored early-20th century villa designed with a focus on sea views and terraces. In 2020, the spa was renovated by architect Teresa Cammara from Messina, who worked on the basement floor that formed the base of the swimming pool and solarium above, acting as a so-called “foundation apparatus”.
“From the first inspection,” says Cammara, “we immediately noticed that the area overlooks a breathtaking panorama and understood the extraordinary potential of this project. So we decided to group all the wellness activities in the basement rooms.”
The spa covers a small area of 240 sq m: “It was necessary to optimise and design the spaces in order to create a sort of ‘mother’s womb’ – the mother is represented by the dense Mediterranean scrub that gradually thins as its descends to lower altitudes and frames the panorama overlooking Taormina’s Isola Bella.”
All the equipment designed for relaxation, such as the hydromassage and chaise longue, overlook the panorama. “The bathtubs are inserted in the original balconies and immediately come into contact with the vegetation, while the relaxation loungers face outwards, along with the emotional showers, Turkish bath and Finnish sauna.”
In order to give the row of loungers a rhythmic, material look, salt brick walls were chosen. These translucent walls allow light to enter even the most hidden part at the back: the massage rooms. The latter, although shielded, present the other side of the salt walls, helping to create a healthier, more evocative and relaxing environment. The changing rooms and bathrooms are also located in the rear area.
The room is almost totally white. Marazzi’s structured porcelain stoneware Allmarble Statuario slabs, in the 60x120 cm size, reflect the abundant natural light that enters through the large windows. To create rhythm, in the part facing the panorama, Allmarble Lasa decorative panels with two different finishes – lux and satin – in the 60x120 cm size, cut and laid to measure, were produced. “The large slabs allowed me to create an elegant environment, while maintaining the mechanical and hygiene performance required for this type of space. Use of the structured Allmarble version on the floor also guaranteed the anti-slip properties and natural effect that I wanted to achieve.”
Allmarble Frappuccino lux and Allmarble Saint Laurent lux (60x120 cm) were chosen for the wall coverings of the bathrooms, Turkish bath and emotional shower.
“The marble effect that they have created is very evocative. Anyone who uses the showers, inserted in the less panoramic area, feels as though they are inside karstic caves, whose mineral formations compete with the works of a sculptor.”
Ph Daniele Domenicali
