LIFESTYLE ITALY BULLETIN 2017 –n. 1

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

MASCAGNI LUXURY DEPENDANCE in Rome

The Mascagni Luxury Dépendance, which is an annex located just twenty metres from the main Hotel Mascagni, is housed in a prestigious 19th-century Renaissance Revival building with mosaic floors It opened last July in the Italian capital as part of Space Hotels. Its twelve suites and rooms are located on the building's fourth and fifth floors, offering guests who choose to stay in this “Roman home” both exceptional views of the city's rooftops and the convenience of hotel room. The Hotel offers 24-hour reception desk, room service, tea and coffee facilities. http://www.spacehotels.it/hotel/mascagni-luxury-dependance

HOTEL DEGLI ARTISTI in Rome

The new 4-star Hotel Degli Artisti  is  located in a very quiet street in the heart of Rome, a few steps away to the famous Spanish Steps, Trevi's Fountain and Villa Borghese. The Hotel has 35 "family friendly" rooms, flooded with natural light, spacious and comfortable with views of either the inner courtyard or the beautiful garden of the church San Isidoro. All rooms have been created to give the best standard of service and to ensure a relaxing and comfortable stay. The Hotel offers a spacious lobby, an American bar and a magnificent terrace with solarium and jacuzzi where guests can enjoy a 360 ° Eternal City. http://www.spacehotels.it/en/scheda-hotel/hotel-degli-artisti

FIFTY HOUSE – BOUTIQUE HOTEL (5*) in Milan

The Fifty House Hotel by Louis Vuitton Group has had its soft opening in January 2017 and will be officially opened in Spring 2017. This new boutique hotel is the result of a careful restoration of an historic palazzo in Via Benvenuto Cellini, a short distance from the centre of Milan. It offers 50 luxuriously appointed suites some with view of the internal courtyard, a lounge bar, a bistrot and will also offer in the near future the Courtyard gourmet restaurant and a meeting centre. http://www.fiftyhouse.com/

NYX MILAN –LEONARDO HOTELS in Milan

The NYX Milan was inaugurated at the end of 2016 and distinguishes itself for its urban design and for its “street art” decor. The hotel, located near the main train station, Stazione Centrale, has commissioned some of the most famous Italian street artists to decorate the common areas on each floor with impressive results. The hotel offers 299 rooms, a restaurant, bar and fitness centre. https://www.leonardo-hotels.it/nyx-milan  

HOTEL IL CASTELFALFI (5*) in Tuscany

The Hotel Il Castelfalfi will open on 31 March 2017, the latest addition of the Toscana Resort Castlelfalfi, a medieval hamlet which has been transformed into luxury living. The 5* hotel will offer 120 rooms all equipped with the latest amenities and it is designed to reflect the incredible natural environment of the resort. There will also be a panoramic restaurant, a Spa, indoor and outdoor pools and a fitness centre.

http://www.castelfalfi.com/en/il-castelfalfi-5-stars-hotel/

HILTON LAKE COMO (4*) opening end of June 2017

The new Hilton Lake Como will open end of June 2017 on the western lakefront and it will be the first Hilton hotel in the lake Como area, 3 minutes away from Villa Olmo and 15 minutes from the city centre. The hotel will offer 170 rooms, an infinity pool on the rooftop, indoor pool, fitness centre and Spa area, a restaurant and a sky bar on the rooftop, meeting rooms and ballroom.

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/italy/hilton-lake-como-MXPCOHI/index.html

RE-OPENINGS AND NEW SERVICES

RE- OPENING OF THE TURIN PALACE HOTEL in Turin

The Turin Palace Hotel, housed in an 1872 aristocratic palazzo, has recently re-opened after more than three years of renovation. Conveniently located to easily reach all of the iconic Turin tourist sites, the Turin Palace now offers 127 rooms decorated with works of art by local artists, “Le Petite Madeleines” Restaurant, a Spa with heated pool. A peculiarity of the Hotel is a partially covered terrace with wonderful panoramic views of Turin and the Alps equipped with a bar and a café.  http://www.spacehotels.it/en/scheda-hotel/turin-palace-hotel

SIKELIA HOTEL on the ISLAND OF PANTELLERIA NOW A SLH HOTEL

Known as the 'Black pearl of the Mediterranean', Pantelleria is a perfect escape for adventurous travellers with its natural volcanic hot springs, a rugged coastline, spectacular caves surrounded by the bluest of seas and warm volcanic waters to swim in. The Sikelia Hotel is built out of an ancient dammuso, and decorated with ancient pottery, glazed painted tiles and predominantly dark shades throughout. It offers 20 luxuriously appointed rooms with Frette linens and Hermés products in every bathroom. At the hotel's restaurant, Themá, the chef combines fresh fish and shellfish with vegetables grown in Sikelia's own garden, serving bold flavours from Arabia, Africa and Southern Italy. http://www.sikeliapantelleria.com/

RE-OPENING OF THE LE MERIDIEN VISCONTI PALACE (4*) in Rome,

The  Meridien Visconti Palace in Rome, now a Starwood hotel, has just been re-opened after a major facelift on 1 February 2017. Situated in the Prati district of Rome, centrally located for the Vatican and the main shopping areas, the Visconti Palace is illuminated by warm daylight that streams through floor-to-ceiling windows. It offers 240 guest rooms and suites all appointed with contemporary décor and furniture, free wi-fi, TV and luxurious toiletries. The hotel also offers a fitness area, fine dining restaurant and panoramic bar on the terrace.

www.lemeridienviscontirome.com

RE-OPENING OF THE HOTEL EDEN (5*) in Rome, 1 April 2017

The iconic Eden Hotel, now part of the Dorchester Collection, is going to re-open on 1 April 2017 in Rome after an 18 month refurbishment. Centrally located and affording incredible views over the Eternal City the Eden will offer 98 rooms and suites, a new panoramic gourmet restaurant for romantic dinners and lunches and a state-of-the-art new urban Spa.  https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/rome/hotel-eden/

THE HOTEL AURELIA (4*) NOW A BARCELO' OCCIDENTAL in Rome

The hotel chain Barcelo' continues its expansion in Rome with the opening of its fourth hotel, the Occidental Aurelia hotel, a former XVII century monastery converted into a hotel. Located 3 km from Vatican City with good transport links to the airport and the train station the hotel offers 84 rooms decorated in a modern, elegant style and the hotel offers an outdoor garden where one can enjoy delicious Mediterranean cuisine. https://www.barcelo.com/en-gb/hotels/italy/rome/occidental-aurelia/

RE-OPENING OF CURIO BY HILTON COLLECTION LA BAGNAIA RESORT (5*) in Tuscany

La Bagnaia Resort, an exclusive medieval estate in the heart of the Tuscan country, 12 km far from Siena, re-opens this Spring as part of the the Curio by Hilton Collection brand . The La Bagnaia hotel offers 72 rooms and suites housed in 8 different buildings lovingly restored from the original medieval hamlet. The Resort also offers  two restaurants, a swimming-pool, a tennis court, the Golf Academy, the 18 hole Golf Course, and the Buddha Spa wellness centre.
www.labagnaiaresort.com 

NEW RESTAURANTS

BOLOGNA

SCRAMBLER DUCATI FOOD FACTORY

Scrambler Ducati Food Factory opened last December in Via Stalingrado in Bologna and combines the owner's passion for the Ducati's motorcycles and creative re-inventions of the local Bolognese cuisine. It is hosted in an old industrial building, '50s style with distressed walls, local artists' frescoes, long wooden tables and a Ducati motorcycle to complete the metropolitan look. The food is typical of the city with innovative touches and all products are locally sourced and of the highest quality. http://www.scramblerducatifoodfactory.it/

CAMERA CON VISTA RESTAURANT

Camera con vista is a new Bistrot and Cocktail Bar in the central Piazza Santo Stefano in Bologna, opened in February 2017. Hosted in a 18th century palazzo, the restaurant has been carefully restored and retains many of the original features that contribute to create a Retro feel, such as frescoed painted walls, chandeliers and a magnificent wood and marble bar. The young chef Gabriele de Sanctis worked at Hibiscus in London and proposes traditional French inspired dishes executed with modern techniques. https://cameraconvista.it/

FLORENCE

OLIVIERO RESTAURANT

Oliviero, the celebrities' favourite restaurant in Via delle Terme in Florence, has re-opened on 16 February 2017 under new management, keeping intact the original décor: the revolving door, the piano, the bar made entirely in wood. In the kitchen though the new Chef, Ivan Ferrara (from Enoteca Pinchiorri), injects new life and proposes inventive dishes such as duck breast with Jerusalem artichokes, grapefruit jam and chamomile gelee, or trout with risotto, cauliflower cream and orange, or beef cheek with lard, mushrooms and black cabbage. New website coming soon.

ROME

PIPERO ROMA

Alessandro Pipero, previously of Pipero Rex, has just opened his new restaurant in Via Vittorio Emanuele, in new elegantly designed premises spread over 400sqm. The aim of Pipero is to attain its second Michelin start with the help of his trusted Chef Luciano Monosilio. The menu will offer 45 dishes in total (2 set menus and 12 dishes a la carte) that will reflect both tradition and innovation to be enjoyed either in the dining room or at the bar. http://www.piperoroma.it/en/

TRANSPORT NEWS

NEW FLIGHTS FROM THE U.K. and EIRE TO ITALY

Please consult airline's website for more details

FLYBE AIRLINES

Flybe Airlines will star operating flights from London Southend Airport to Milan Malpensa, starting 1 May 2017 and to Venice, starting 7 May 2017. More info on: http://www.flybe.com/

BRITISH AIRWAYS

British Airways will introduce a direct flight from London City Airport and London Stansted Airport to Milan, operated by an Embraer 190, daily twice a day from Monday to Friday and once a day on Saturdays and Sundays. BA will also introduce a flight from London Stansted to Florence with the summer schedule. More info on: www.ba.com

RYANAIR

Ryanair will introduce three weekly flights from Liverpool to Milan-Malpensa with its winter schedule. As from 1st July the airline is also introducing a flight from London Stansted to Naples. More info on:  www.ryanair.com 

JET2

Jet2 is now flying from Edinburgh to Turin until 25 March for the skiing season. With the winter schedule the airlines is also planning to operate flights from Leeds and Birmingham to Turin, again for the skiing season 2017-2018. More info on: www.jet2.com

BLUE AIR

Blue Air has been operating since 2010 and now flies from Liverpool to Rome and Milan-Bergamo. More info on: http://www.blueairweb.com/

FANCY A REST BEFORE YOUR FLIGHT?

You can now have a snooze, a rest or work in peace while you wait for your flight at the airport in Milan Malpensa and Naples. In Milan Malpensa you can avail yourself of 4 newly installed mini-rooms, 3sqms wide, equipped with a bed, desk, air con, wi-fi and alarm bell. Book on http://www.zzzleepandgo.com/en/

In Naples Capodichino you can find 42 mini-rooms, 4sqms wide, equipped with bed, desk, TV and wi-fi. Book on: http://bednboarding.com/

Stefania Gatta,

Press and Communications Executive

Italian National Tourist Board

E-mail: stefania.gatta@enit.it

*NB: The hotels, restaurants and other services mentioned in this Bulletin are listed for information only and this 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.

February 2017