In 1897 Gaudenzio Ciana, the first hotelier in his family, arrived in Santa Margherita Ligure from his native Orta San Giulio in the province of Novara, where he had been the owner of the Hotel Belvedere (which he had also built). A century later his great-grandchildren are continuing the honourable tradition that he started with Hotel Regina Elena.

The Hotel Regina Elena in Santa Margherita Ligure has 80 rooms, most of which have sea view. The rooms have balcony, all comforts, safe, minibar, air conditioning, satellite TV, hairdryer, radio and free Wi-Fi connection.

There are two restaurants at Hotel Regina Elena. Chef Giuseppe Lenzo gives a new style to the Restaurant Principessa with his kitchen inventive, natural, gourmet and full of Mediterranean taste and during summer time Restaurant La Conchiglia is open in the private beach of the hotel. Breakfast is served buffet-style on the veranda and, during the summer months, in the open area to the front. The Hotel Regina Elena is accredited by the Italian Celiac Association (Associazione Italiana Celiachia) since it offers, in addition to traditional dishes, a special gluten-free menu.