Award-winning hospitality brand The Usual is set to open its first hotel in Florence in Q1 2027. Renowned for blending ESG values with bold design, creativity, and lifestyle, this will be the brand’s third European property, and their first step outside of the Benelux. True to its vision, The Usual is once again selecting a location with character, history, and a creative future. Where Heritage Meets Creative Energy
Lobby's CEO and Elegia's founders presented how AI automation can bridge the gap between guest expectations for instant service and hotels' outdated manual workflows.
Matteo Gentile will join as General Manager of Hotel Savoy in Florence from 3rd November, bringing more than two decades of experience in hospitality. Currently overseeing operations at Lungarno Collection, he has held pivotal leadership roles in iconic destinations throughout his career, including The Beverly Hilton and the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, as well as several Four Seasons properties across Europe, the US, and Asia. In addition, he also founded a Los Angeles-based consultancy, where he advised restaurants and hotels on developing both operational frameworks and creative strategies.
Virtuoso, the leading global network specializing in luxury and experiential travel, has named Claudio Meli, General Manager of THE PLACE Firenze, as its 2025 Hotelier of the Year. The honor was announced during Virtuoso's 37th annual Travel Week in Las Vegas, which brought together more than 4,700 travel industry leaders from 105 countries.
Milu Holding is thrilled to announce the appointment of Angela Focareta as the General Manager for both of its Florence properties, expanding her current role as General Manager of Hotel Calimala Florence to include management of Hotel Milu Florence. This designation marks Angela's latest career advance within the Milu Holdings Group, displaying how instrumental her work has been in elevating guest experiences and operational excellence for the group.
Auberge Resorts Collection is delighted to announce the appointment of Francesco Ascani as General Manager of Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection.
This article examines Florence's tourism industry resilience amidst crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, analyzing key performance indicators such as airport statistics, hotel supply, and operating performance. Despite setbacks, Florence witnessed a remarkable recovery, notably in 2023, with record-breaking Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR). The analysis also highlights investment trends and future challenges, including concerns about over-tourism and evolving market dynamics.
Villa La Massa, has appointed Elisa Peroli as General Manager. Peroli brings with her a wealth of experience in luxury hospitality, gaining strong operational skills working for Four Seasons Hotels across multiple countries including the UK, USA, Qatar, Italy, Greece and Australia. Peroli has a particularly strong background in F&B and events, having previously been the Director of Events at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze and at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens. Both luxury properties fuelled her passion for entertaining and providing memorable experiences for guests, ensuring she is perfectly positioned to take the helm at Villa La Massa, where expanding the hotel's culinary and events programme will be a key focus as she leads the property into the future.
Hines, the global real estate firm, and Blue Noble, an international real estate investment manager, joint investors in the “Future Living” fund managed by Savills Investment Management SGR SpA, confirm that a lease agreement with Starhotels for the management of part of the asset of Corso Italia in the heart of Florence has been finalised.
Have you heard about the little wine holes in Florence (and to a lesser extent in other Italian cities)? It's a cute little story that has emerged out of the pandemic and yet one more reason to visit this illustrious Renaissance cultural nexus. Importantly for you, it demonstrates a critically overlooked principal about selling wine that you can use to rethink your beverage program.
IDeaS Revenue Solutions, the leading provider of revenue management software and advisory services, is pleased to announce one of Europes most historic hotels, the Grand Hotel Baglioni, has chosen IDeaS G3 Revenue Management System (RMS)to optimise revenue performance across its 192-room property.
Autograph Collection Hotels, Marriott International"s distinctive collection of passionately independent hotels, today announced its fourth hotel in Italy with the opening of Hotel Sina Villa Medici, located in the historic heart of Florence. The hotel joins a diverse portfolio of more than 125 Autograph Collection Hotels around the world – all one-of-a-kind properties that champion values of vision, design and craft.
Hotel Lungarno, the quintessential, classic Florentine hotel from the Ferragamo family-owned Lungarno Collection, is now open after a six-month closure for renovations and refurbishments. Designed by internationally renowned interior designer, Michele Bonan who has designed all Lungarno Collection properties.
Villa d’Este Hotels has announced the appointment of Stefano Venturi as General Manager of its Florentine hotel, Villa La Massa. Venturi has over 30 years’ experience in the luxury hospitality sector, working at some of the world’s leading hotels in both Italy and the UK.
This market snapshot presents current data and information on the upscale and luxury hotel and tourism industry in Florence, Italy. In writing such articles, we utilise the expertise of HVS in each market to the full extent by combining our in-house data and research together with published information regarding the examined destinations. A separate publication about the region of Tuscany will follow.
Expanding its international hospitality portfolio further, Leeu Collection (www.leeucollection.com) has acquired its second Europeanproperty, the former Collegio Alla Querce in Florence, Italy.Located in Via della Piazzuola, just 2km north-east of the city's historic heart and 9km from Florence's international airport, thecomplex covers a total area of 13 400m2 plus 15 500m2 of park, which will be transformed into a 70-plus bedroom luxury hoteland gardens, set to open in 2021. Parts of the historic Collegio Alla Querce, which has its own chapel and theatre, were previouslyused as a boarding school and hotel.This latest acquisition echoes the vision of Analjit Singh, Leeu Collection's founder and entrepreneur of Indian origin, of creatingunrivalled escapes and offering visitors extraordinary experiences.For Analjit, giving this project the 'Leeu touch' through redevelopment and renovation is of utmost importance. "We will remain trueto the pillars of our brand: inspiring art collections, distinct architecture and design; manicured and detailed landscaping that reflectsrespect for the environment; superlative service with attention to the smallest detail; spectacular views and an outstanding food andwine experience."Given the Florence hospitality and tourism boom and the improving economic backdrop rejuvenating the European hotel sector,this new development is well timed and complements our existing portfolio. The Leeu Collection team will create an unforgettableexperience in a superb setting.""The acquisition of this formidable historic property will complement Leeu Collection's ethos of extraordinary offerings around theglobe," says Carrie Wicks, CEO of Leeu Collection. "The project foresees the creation of a 5-star luxury hotel and a wide range ofadditional facilities, such as meeting and event spaces, a spa and restaurants."
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that it has closed on the sale of The St. Regis Florence and The Westin Excelsior Florence to Nozul Hotels & Resorts, the owner of The Gritti Palace,Venice and W Doha Hotel, and a wholly owned subsidiary of "Jaidah Holdings" for €190 million (approximately $213 million USD). Starwood will continue to operate the hotels under the St. Regis and Westin brand flags under new long-term management agreements.
Belmond has appointed Emanuele Manfroi as General Manager of Belmond Villa San Michele in Florence, Italy with immediate effect. Italian born Manfroi graduated with a BA in Business Administration followed by a Masters in International Tourism Management. Prior to joining Belmond in 2012 Manfroi built his career in hospitality within in luxury hotels around the world including the Park Hyatt Milano, Park Hyatt Sydney, and Four Seasons Milan as well as pursuing his passion for culinary excellence. Previously Hotel Manager at sister hotel, Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice Manfroi takes up the new role ahead of the new season opening on 8 April 2016.
Rocco Forte Hotels announces the appointment of Giancarlo Rizzi as General Manager of Hotel Savoy, located in the heart of Florence. Mr. Rizzi takes over from Edward Leenders, who was with the hotel for over 4 years and has relocated to Hotel Amigo, the Rocco Forte Hotel in Brussels. His experience spans a career in luxury hotels across Italy and Europe. Previous positions include roles at Four Seasons George V, The Ritz and Le Royal Monceau in Paris, to mention only a few. Most recently he was Hotel Manager at Villa La Massa in Florence and Resident Manager at Villa D’Este in Lake Como and at The Bauer’s in Venice.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced the re-opening of SE-STO on Arno, a new rooftop culinary experience at the iconic Westin Excelsior in Florence. Following a EUR 3.3 million restoration, SE-STO on Arno overlooks the Arno River and offers enchanting views of the city, rooftops, churches, bell towers of Florence, Ponte Vecchio and the picturesque hills of Tuscany.