NEW HOTEL OPENINGS AND LAUNCHES FOR 2021 

New Hotels: Venice, Madrid & Istanbul

New Villas: Lombardy & Tuscany

New Rooms: Lake District & York

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NEW HOTEL: Ca' di Dio, Venice

Just a short distance from Piazza San Marco, you will find the historic Ca' di Dio, opening this spring. The hotel is located in a privileged position, at the entrance to the Arsenale area, known as the Contemporary Art District of Venice, a place linked to the prestigious Biennale. The fascinating history of the building dates back to 1272, and the project has been curated by the studio of the internationally renowned architect Patricia Urquiola, with the aim of creating an original and distinctive concept: a Venetian “house”, linked to the history of the city.

Although contemporary in style, which is unusual for Venice, when strolling through the common areas, guests will be able to admire the bright travertine and perfectly preserved frescoes. The hotel features many places for guests to relax whilst staying in Venice; an 'altana' - covered roof-terrace, common in medieval Venice, which is the perfect place from which to admire the sights of the city, two internal courtyards, which will be home to one restaurant serving light and quick snacks throughout the day, and a spacious reading room. There will be a second, outdoor restaurant overlooking the lagoon, towards the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. The cuisine will be inspired by typical Venetian dishes, revisited with a modern touch yet respecting the seasonality of the ingredients, thanks to the vegetable garden in the internal courtyard. Access to the hotel from the side stream allows direct docking of boats.

Ca' di Dio will offer rooms from €460 per night on a B&B basis, based on two people sharing. v-retreats.com/en/ca-di-dio/

Images: renderings available here

NEW HOTEL: Mandarin Oriental, Ritz Madrid – April 2021

Following the most ambitious and extensive renovation to take place in its 110-year history, Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid will open spring 2021. During the three-year renovation, Spanish architect Rafael de La-Hoz and the French designer duo Gilles & Boissier collaborated closely on the spectacular new design and range of facilities to ensure they appeal to both local and international guests, while preserving the striking Belle Époque character of the original building in keeping with the original spirit conceived by Cesar Ritz.

The hotel will open with 153 luxuriously appointed rooms, including 53 suites. There will also be five restaurants and bars, which have been designed, developed and implemented by celebrated Spanish chef, Quique Dacosta. The historic Palm Court with its signature glass dome, reinstated after more than 80 years, will have a selection of artworks on display that have been inspired by the strong connection between the hotel and this majestic city. The hotel's new leisure and wellness facilities include a heated indoor swimming pool, a vitality pool, experience showers, a steam room and a contemporary fitness centre. The ballroom and function spaces, with their large windows facing the Prado Museum have been beautifully restored and designed to ensure the hotel is once again the venue of choice for weddings, private dinners and parties.

Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid will offer rates from €640 per room per night. mandarinoriental.com/madrid

Images: available here

NEW HOTEL: Mandarin Oriental is also opening on the Bosphorus in Istanbul in 2021, set for May…

NEW VILLAS: Borgo Pignano, Tuscany

Set in the heart of a picturesque 750-acre organic estate in Tuscany, Borgo Pignano is a short drive from the medieval hill towns of Volterra and San Gimignano and only 1 hour's drive from Florence and Pisa. Borgo Pignano has a strong focus on sustainability and is really raising the bar in Italy on the subject. In fact, 100% of their heating and hot water is now produced in-house using renewable energy, with a combination of woodchip-fired boilers, which are fed by timber from the estate, as well as solar panels. The property is also 70% self-sufficient when it comes to produce. They grow heritage varieties of fruits and vegetables, organic olives, cereals from ancient seeds and biological crops. They also make artisanal breads, organic pastas, jams as well as soaps and other toiletries using traditional Tuscan techniques. Additionally, Borgo Pignano produces the finest Millefiori flavoured honey thanks to their bee colonies which play a key role in the ecosystem, helping with the pollination of vegetables and fruit trees. Accommodation is spread over the estate and includes an 18th century villa, which houses 14 rooms and suites, a Hamlet home to ten beautifully restored rustic apartments, La Canonica (The Priest's House), which has two suites, and four individual luxury villas.

Borgo Pignano will launch a new two-bedroom Villa and reopen Villa La Fonte after a significant refurbishment in spring 2021. Additionally, villas Casa del Lago and The Artist's House will have their own heated pools.

NEW Villa La Lavandaia – Located at the top of the hill on Borgo Pignano's estate, the villa features a stunning terrace with spectacular views of the surrounding Tuscan landscape. Guests can take advantage of their own private heated infinity pool and fully equipped kitchen. Rates start from €1,200 per night including breakfast.

Refurbished Villa La Fonte - Five bedrooms all now with en-suite bathrooms, a porch overlooking the lake and a private pool, this farmhouse can be booked in its entirety. Perfect for a large group of friends or a multigenerational holiday. Rates start from €2,500 per night including breakfast. borgopignano.com

Images: available here

NEW VILLA: L'Albereta, Lombardy

La Mongolfiera is a large 15th Century farmhouse positioned halfway up Bellavista hill, amongst the vineyards. Guests can relax in the greenery of the villa's well-kept garden or in the shade of the veranda. The villa's interiors are rustic and authentic, with high ceilings, exposed beams and terracotta flooring. Ideal for a holiday with family or friends, the villa offers the opportunity to take advantage of the five-star services at L'Albereta, but enjoy the privacy of staying separately. Guests can access the hotel's outdoor and indoor swimming pools, gym and wellness centre, tennis court and five a side football pitch, 12 km fitness trail and Sculpture Park, two restaurants and pizzeria just a short walk away. This newly offered villa sleeps 8-10 people and has 4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.

La Mongolfiera is available from €3,000 per night. albereta.it

Images: available here

NEW ROOMS: Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Lake District

Set in the picturesque, spacious and secluded setting of the Lake District, Gilpin Hotel has 19 guestrooms with private external entrances and various access to lounges and dining rooms throughout the property. The Lake House can sleep 12 and be booked for exclusive use, featuring its own jetty and swimming pool. 

Gilpin's newly launched Spa Suites are the ultimate private spa sanctuary for some quality time a deux. With views to the mountains to the west, and tranquil woodlands with a stream to the east, each nestles into a private space with delightful planting behind a beautiful curved Lakeland stone wall, every room has floor to ceiling windows and patio doors opening out onto a gorgeously private south facing decked garden with a stunning 2m² stone-built hot tub, all alongside a huge plunge pond. As part of the Spa Suite experience is a tailored experience designed for couples to revive the senses. Treatments can take place in the atmospheric spa or, in your Suite and for additional relaxation, enjoy the use of your own Japanese massage chair. The fully equipped cocktail bar and wine fridge mean that you can shake up a pre-dinner cocktail in your room to enjoy out on your private terrace whilst watching the sunset.

Guests can enjoy Michelin-starred HRiSHi restaurant, offering fantastic local produce and culinary masterpieces, while at the hotel's more casual restaurant, Gilpin Spice, an open kitchen serves delicious tapas-style pan-Asian dishes.

The Lake District offers plenty of mesmerising landscape to explore by foot or by car. Sail out on the lakes or visit the former home of Beatrix Potter which inspired her fictional works.

Starting rates for Gilpin Hotel are available from £295 per night based on two adults sharing a Classic Room on a B&B basis. The Spa Suites are available from £795 per night based on two adults sharing. Each lodge offers Sonos music in all areas, a 60-inch TV and electric car chargers. Gilpin Lake House is available from £475 per night based on two adults sharing a room on a B&B basis. Treatments at the Jetty Spa cost from £75.  For bookings call 01539 488818. thegilpin.co.uk   

Images: available here

NEW ROOMS: The Alice Hawthorn in Nun Monkton, North Yorkshire is located between bustling Harrogate and the historic city of York. Whilst the pub isn't new, The Alice recently unveiled 12 new rooms for guests to stay in.

The Alice is a much-loved local pub, named after a famous racehorse that galloped to glory by winning the Ascot Gold Vase, the Goodwood Cup and the Doncaster Cup in 1844. Just when it looked as though time was about to be called on the historic inn after a series of failed attempts to make it viable, a surprise buyer rode to the rescue and Nun Monkton resident Kate Harpin bought the pub in 2013 with the sole intention of keeping her local alive. Over the past 7 years she has made many improvements including renovation, a bigger kitchen and a barn for private events, which have helped attract a loyal following. The Alice is well known for its food, and has entries in both the Good Food Guide and Michelin Guide.

More recently, they have reconfigured and upgraded the existing guest rooms in the pub and designed and built new accommodation in the grounds in keeping with the rural surroundings. The project has taken 20 months to complete, and was finished in the first lockdown, meaning that they haven't had their time to shine to I hope we can still consider them new! The now 12 guest rooms are split between the Grade II listed pub and new-build garden rooms which are constructed from home grown Douglas fir and finished inside and out with timber. They were built to mirror three agricultural buildings – one is a stable-style, the other looks like a field barn and the third an agricultural store. The beer garden has also been newly landscaped and a wood-fired oven (imported from Italy) installed where a range of sourdough pizzas will be prepared with toppings including Yorkshire Fettle cheese, chargrilled courgettes, garlic, mint, parsley and lemon.

Pub Rooms at The Alice Hawthorn start from £120 per night and Garden Rooms from £140 per night based on 2 adults sharing on a B&B basis. thealicehawthorn.com

Images: available here

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For further press information, please contact Jessica Smith at ASA Luxury on Jessica.Smith@annscott.co.uk or call 020 7823 9988.