“A yacht owner gets off the plane and, within minutes, on foot, he is already at the shipyard.” With this image, Salvatore Madonna, owner of the Plaza e de Russie in Viareggio, sums up the strength of his 5-star hotel: a luxury property in the heart of the city, designed to meet the needs of yacht owners, captains, and surveyors, and distinguished by its proximity to some of the most prestigious brands in the global yachtbuilding industry.

A hotel designed for those who live yachting
Completely renovated between 2017 and 2019, the Plaza e de Russie today offers 44 rooms, including two spectacular sea-view penthouses, as well as refined common areas enriched with yacht and superyacht models created by Model Maker Group, a world leader in the sector. A distinctive detail that underscores the bond with yachting and makes the hotel a true meeting point for the international yachting community.

The Lunasia restaurant, boasting a Michelin star, is directly accessible from the seafront and represents one of the highlights of the hotel’s offer. Upon request, the chef can also step aboard for private dinners and exclusive events, a service highly appreciated by discerning yacht owners.

Logistics and proximity to the shipyards
The hotel’s location is a key advantage: many shipyards can be reached on foot, eliminating downtime and complex transfers. This is not only a benefit for yacht owners but also for captains, surveyors, and technical teams who often stay in Viareggio for short periods during construction or refit phases.

“The proximity to the shipyards is an operational convenience, an aspect that distinguishes Viareggio from other yachting capitals,” Madonna notes, highlighting how the Plaza e de Russie naturally positions itself as a hub for those working in the sector.

Viareggio, yachting capital with infrastructure challenges
The conversation also touches on the city’s critical issues: the urgent need for dredging in the port, the question of logistics, and access infrastructure. Madonna points out how postponed decisions or misdirected investments have over time slowed down the potential of the “world capital of luxury yachting.”

At the same time, he emphasizes that yachting remains essential for the city’s economy, an industry that supports hundreds of families and requires strategic vision and long-term policies.

An offer tailored to international yacht owners
The clientele of the Plaza e de Russie is predominantly international. While Russian demand has declined due to the war and sanctions, the yachting sector continues to generate high-end flows, particularly in the superyacht segment over 40 meters, which is less affected by U.S. tariff uncertainties.

For Viareggio, and for luxury hospitality, the link with yachting remains vital. Not only for its direct economic value but also for the related industries and synergies with other quality tourism sectors, from Michelin-starred dining to luxury charter.

The Plaza e de Russie is not just a luxury hotel in the heart of Viareggio, but a strategic component in the network of international yachting. With shipyards within walking distance, tailor-made services, and spaces celebrating yachting culture, it stands as one of the most consistent establishments with the profile of yacht owners and professionals orbiting around the Viareggio district.