IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's leading hotel companies, has today announced the signing of its first Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants property in Italy. Joining IHG's fast-growing luxury & lifestyle portfolio, now the second largest in the world, the Kimpton property in Sicily will open in the second half of 2025 and represents a management agreement with partner Società Turistica Alberghiera Taorminese.
Meliá Hotels International continues to grow in one of the key European destinations after the addition of two new hotel projects in Italy. The company is also supporting the international growth of its INNSiDE by Meliá brand, which has accelerated in recent years, with 48 hotels already operating or in the process of opening in major destinations all over the world.
A French family of five were welcomed by the villagers of Sambuca in Sicily on 2 July, after being selected to become temporary residents of the village to help revitalize the community. As part of the 1 Euro House campaign, the family with three children will live in a restored designer historic home and Host guests on Airbnb for one year.
Experienced international hotelier Giacomo Battafarano has returned to Sicily and been named as the new General Manager of Verdura Resort. Battafarano, born in 1974 and originally from Matera, brings a wealth of knowledge with him to the iconic Sicilian resort - a Rocco Forte Hotel - which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
With a solid track record of 28 years in luxury hospitality, Truffelli is a result based professional with both creative and strategic thinking and vision. He is a graduate of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and he holds an MBA from the University of Edinburgh Business School. A passionate and effective team developer and shaper Truffelli started his career with Trust House Forte at the Hyde Park Hotel in London, he later worked at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic and was the MD of The Town House Collection in Scotland before starting an international hospitality management, consultancy and advisory company. From 2014, Marco was General Manager of Borgo Egnazia, in Puglia.
Ivan Artolli was appointed Managing Director at Verdura Golf & Spa Resort after being Director of Operations in the United Kingdom, Belgium and Eastern Europe for the group. He is thus in charge of construction, sales, and operations of 87 luxury villas at the property, he remains a member of the Board of Directors and General Manager at Hôtel Amigo in Brussels.
Luciano has an impressive 28 years of experience in the hotel industry, including 21 years with the InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG). He most recently held the position of Area Director of Operations based in Madrid where he successfully managed 80 IHG properties in Spain, Portugal and Italy. During this time he supervised the development of two golf resort hotels in La Manga, Spain. Other roles within the company include Area Vice President of Operations for Spain, Italy, southern France and Malta; Regional Vice President of Operations for Spain and Italy; Operations Director for France, Italy, Spain and Morocco; Area Director Mediterranean, General Manager, Holiday Inn Madrid and General Manager, Holiday Inn, Bologna City. Prior to joining the InterContinental Hotel Group, Luciano was Executive Assistant Manager at the Crest Hotel Antwerp and Director of Sales for Crest Hotels, Italy and Malta.
Orient-Express Hotels Ltd., owners or part-owners and managers of 50 luxury hotel, restaurant, tourist train and river cruise properties operating in 25 countries, today announced expansion plans in Italy. The Company has signed a binding agreement to purchase two distinctive properties in Taormina, Sicily from The Framon Group subject to completion conditions.