Relais del Maro is an innovative “Albergo Diffuso” – a hotel spread across three historic houses in the village of Borgomaro, Liguria. This unique setup preserves the local heritage (no new buildings were erected) and allows guests to live among the community, enjoying an authentic small-town Italian atmosphere.

Sustainability is at the heart of Relais del Maro’s philosophy. A proud member of EcoWorldHotel and Green Pearls®, the hotel underwent an environmentally sensitive renovation guided by CasaClima experts. It now runs on solar panels and clean energy, with high-efficiency insulation keeping energy use low. Each of the 14 elegant rooms features vintage furniture restored with eco-friendly paints, and natural fibers in linens. The hotel’s daily operations are green: biodegradable toiletries, zero single-use plastics, and an active recycling and composting program.

They collaborate closely with Borgomaro’s artisans and farmers – from the breakfast’s homemade focaccia and organic jam to the evening aperitivo of local Vermentino wine and Taggiasca olives. This commitment to 0 km food means guests savor Ligurian specialties made with ingredients sourced from within 30 km (like cheeses from Piedmont and olive oil from nearby groves).

Guests can borrow electric bikes to explore olive terraces and Roman bridges, or relax by the natural garden pool knowing it’s cleaned with salt and minimal chemicals. Through its blend of tradition and innovation, Relais del Maro has become a model of sustainable tourism – showing that luxury and responsible travel can go hand in hand, and earning accolades as one of Italy’s best eco-hotels.