08 Jul 2014
The aim of “Lifestyle Italy” is to list recent openings of hotels, hotel re-openings, new services in existing hotels, restaurants and shops as well as new flights and transport news. *
Enjoy it!
NEW HOTELS
PORTRAIT FIRENZE (5*) IN FLORENCE,
The Lungarno Collection, owned by the Ferragamo family, opened the latest addition to their collection, Portrait Firenze on 1 May 2014. Located in the heart of Florence with fabulous views over the River Arno and iconic Ponte Vecchio, the hotel styled by Florentine architect Michele Bönan, is inspired by the birth of Italian haute couture that took place in Florence in the 1950s. Each of the thirty-four suites is designed using hand-crafted furniture, exquisite fabrics and fine detailing to reflect the heritage of the Ferragamo family. Each suite features a kitchenette and includes complimentary use of an iPad and state of the art technology with access to a music and film library, a fully stocked mini bar with gourmet products, which can also be stocked in advance with personalised preference. www.portraitfirenze.com
INDIGO ROME – ST. GEORGE HOTEL (5*) IN ROME
The Intercontinental Hotels has inaugurated their new boutique hotel in Rome, the Indigo Rome St George, in Via Giulia, in the heart of old Rome at the beginning of June 2014. The hotel is a mixture of Renaissance and modern design and offers 64 rooms, a spa, a restaurant, a terrace with bar and free wi-fi in all areas. www.hotelindigorome.com
NH PALAZZO BAROCCI (4*) IN VENICE
The old Manin NH Hotel has been totally overhauled and upgraded by the NH Hotel Group and has re-opened in Venice at the end of May 2014. The hotel is located in the heart of Venice facing the RialtoBridge and it is built on the site of the old Teatro Sant'Angelo, dating back to the 18th century. There are 59 rooms all furnished in 5 different style, a bar “Doge” with a truly Venetian atmosphere and delightful garden.
http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/italy/venice/nh-palazzo-barocci.html
NH PARMA HOTEL (4*) IN PARMA
The new NH Parma Hotel opened in May 2014 and is set in the brand-new architectural complex which also includes the renovated railway station. It is strategically located near the historical centre of Parma, offers 120 rooms, restaurant offering local and Italian dishes and 8 meeting rooms.
http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/italy/parma/nh-parma.html
RE-OPENINGS AND NEW SERVICES
RE-OPENING OF VILLE SULL'ARNO HOTEL (5*) IN FLORENCE
The Ville sull'Arno Hotel has been re-opened at the beginning of June after extensive renovation and improvement work. The Hotel offers 45 rooms, a spa, open air swimming pool in the extensive garden, the “Flora e Fauno” Restaurant, Dante's Bar with its 19th century design. The Ville sull'Arno was originally built in the 15th century and it was a country retreat for the Florentine nobility, in the 19th century was used as workshop by the Macchiaioli painters. www.hotelvillesullarno.com
NEW DUOMO SUITE AT THE PALAZZO PARIGI HOTEL IN MILAN
The luxury Palazzo Parigi has inaugurated recently the new Duomo Suite with breathtaking views over the city. The new suite comprises a living area with kitchenette, walk-in wardrobe, main bathroom and second bathroom. The suite can be combined with the interconnecting Suite Prestige and Deluxe Room for a total of 3 bedrooms to form an apartment. www.palazzoparigi.com
NEW VAIR SPA AT BORGO EGNAZIA
The Vair Spa is located within Borgo Egnazia Resort in Puglia, its philosophy is to nurture the client physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing. Built in typical Apulina style, it boasts 11 treatment rooms, a couple's spa suite with private garden and an opulent Roman water therapy suite at the heart of the building. www.vairspa.com
FUTURE OPENINGS
RE-OPENING OF THE EXCELSIOR HOTEL GALLIA (5*) IN MILAN
Starwood hotel and resorts have recently announced the re-opening of the historic Excelsior Hotel Gallia in Milan which is scheduled for November 2014. The hotel will offer 235 rooms and suites, a restaurant and a bar with panoramic terrace on the top floor, a lounge bar and cigar room, a spa, swimming pool and gym, two ballrooms and meeting spaces. www.starwoodhotels.com
JW MARRIOTT (5*) RESORT AND SPA IN VENICE
A new hotel is being re-developed by JW Marriott Hotels in Venice at Sacca Sessola and the opening is scheduled for mid March 2015. The hotel will have 266 rooms.
http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/hotel-information/travel/vcejw-jw-marriott-venice-resort-and-spa/
MELIA SIRACUSA MARE RESORT IN SICILY
The new Melia Siracusa Mare Resort is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2015 in the Sicilian town of Syracuse. It will offer 235 rooms, 140 apartments, sport facilities, 18-hole golf course, swimming pools, spa, private beach and meeting spaces. www.melia.com
NEW RESTAURANTS/BARS/SHOPS
ORO RESTAURANT AT THE BELMOND HOTEL CIPRIANI IN VENICE
Oro is the name of the new restaurant which opened in April 2014 at the iconic Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice. The restaurant overlooks the lagoon, offers 40 seats and it is headed by Chef Davide Bisetto who was awarded two Michelin stars in France. Gold leaf ceiling, handmade Murano glass chandelier, fine Rubelli chair fabrics, three emerald green glass sculptures and blown glass candelabra contribute to create a refined ambiance to taste Venetian specialities re-invented by the chef.
http://www.belmond.com/hotel-cipriani-venice/cipriani_restaurants
RISTORANTE BERTON IN MILAN
Ristorante Berton opened at the beginning of 2014 and it is the brainchild of Michelin starred Chef Andrea Berton. The restaurant is intimate, offering 40 seats and Berton prides himelf in offering traditional and unusual dishes in the a la carte and tasting menus. www.ristoranteberton.com
D&G MARTINI BISTROT IN MILAN
Located in the heart of Milan in Corso Venezia, and reflecting the glamour of the 50's, the new D&G Martini Bistrot, is a unique place to grab a quick lunch, sip an aperitif or have dinner inspired by true Sicilian tradition in typical stylish D&G surroundings. www.dolcegabbana.com/martini
NEW CHEF AT RISTORANTE UNICO MILANO IN MILAN
Felice Lo Basso is the new chef at the Unico Milano Restaurant located on the 20th floor of the WCT Tower in Milan. Intimate atmosphere, breathtaking views over the city, refined cuisine which reflects the past experiences of Chef Lo Basso, combining sea and mountain ingredients, are all elements of this new direction for the restaurant which is now aiming for its second Michelin star. www.unicorestaurant.it
GREZZO RAW FOOD CHOCOLATERIE AND PATISSERIE IN ROME
Grezzo opened in April 2014 in the trendy Monti district of Rome and prides itself to be the first raw food patisserie and chocolaterie in Rome. Raw chocolate without any added fat promises to be not only more healthy and genuine but also delicious, try semifreddo with pears and chocolate, tiramisu' and sachertorte. www.grezzoitalia.it
CAFFE' MARINETTI AT THE MAJESTIC HOTEL IN BOLOGNA
The new Caffe' Marinetti opened in March 2014 at the Grand Hotel Majestic (formerly Baglioni Hotel) in Bologna. The Caffe' s name is homage to the founder of the Futuristic Movement, Filippo Tommaso Farinetti whose Futuristic exhibition was hosted in the basement of the same hotel a hundred years ago. http://grandhotelmajestic.duetorrihotels.com/en/hotel-5-stars-luxury-bologna/caf%C3%A8-marinetti
TRANSPORT NEWS
NEW FLIGHTS FROM THE U.K. and EIRE TO ITALY
Please consult airline's website for more details
Alitalia
Altalia launched 3 weekly direct flights to Catania and Palermo from London Gatwick in Sicily with the summer 2014 schedule.
British Airways
More frequencies from London to Turin : from 26 October there will be 2 more flights a week and from December further two flights will be added bringing the total to 12 flights a week.
Easyjet
Easyjet launched a twice-weekly flight from Manchester to Catania.
Stefania Gatta, Press and Communications, E-mail: stefania.gatta@enit.it
*NB: The hotels, restaurants and other services mentioned in this newsletter are listed for information only and this newsletter is not meant to be interpreted as a recommendation for any particular establishment. The Italian Tourist Board does not have photos or PR contacts for the establishments featured in this bulletin, please contact the hotel/restaurant directly should you need more information.
Information is correct at date of publication.
July 2014
