The first spa on Lake Como is due to open in the Spring of 2027.

A hotel with 80 rooms and 160 parking spaces

The Wonders Group recently announced the opening date for the QC Spa, the conversion of the former Redaelli velvet factory in Mandello, for a planned investment of some €20 million. The property, it was reported in the Corriere della Sera newspaper, which was already owned by the company, will be redeveloped and converted into a new hotel with 80 rooms, a spa, and public and private parking for 160 cars.  

Work will start by the end of this year

The project is now in the hands of the Services Conference. Authorization is expected by the end of April, while work is scheduled to start by the end of the year. The opening of Lake Como's first spa is expected in the Spring of 2027.

Is the private equity fund Blackstone ready to sell HIP?

Reportedly ready to sell Spain’s Hotel Investment Partners 

The US private equity fund giant Blackstone is reportedly preparing to sell Spain's Hotel Investment Partners for an estimated €6.5 billion, according to Reuters quoting the Iberian newspaper Cinco Dias.

The company could be listed on the stock market 

HIP currently owns 73 hotels with a total of 22,000 rooms in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, including the Mangia's group properties covered by the partnership agreement signed at the end of 2021 with the Sicilian company. The sale of the shares held by Blackstone in Hotel Investment Partners (65%) could also take place through a stock market listing of the company.

Torino Outlet Village, the prestigious shopping destination with more than 90 top international brand boutiques is celebrating Chinese New Year on 9 February.

Events for all ages and a dragon and snake parade

For the occasion, the village will be transformed into a stage of culture and tradition thanks to a themed set-up that will include evocative Chinese lanterns and a spectacular installation in the shape of a snake, a symbol of the New Year in the Chinese calendar. The celebration is for visitors from all walks of life and will consist of a programme of events for adults and children. On Sunday 9 February visitors will also be honoured with Hong Bao and gadgets, and to further celebrate the event, the iconic village stele will be coloured red, the colour symbolizing good luck and prosperity in Chinese culture. There will be a dragon and snake parade at 3 p.m., together with calligraphy activities and creative workshops in the kids’ area.

Extra sales offers and the discovery of Chinese culture

The Turin Outlet Village is located just ten minutes from the centre of Turin, so it is conveniently accessible and an ideal destination for both residents and tourists, and was designed by archistar Claudio Silvestrin. The village provides its visitors with 5-star hospitality services, designed to make every visit special, and for those wishing to take advantage of additional benefits, the extra sales on Outlet sales are still available, making it possible to combine the discovery of Chinese culture with convenient shopping. Chinese New Year at the Torino Outlet Village is a unique opportunity, and an unmissable event combining culture, shopping and fun.

The Pacini Group's The Smooth Rome has been given a new look and design.

The 58 guestrooms have extensive views

A contemporary style, cozy atmosphere, comfort and functionality: this is the new The Smooth Rome, which has undergone a radical transformation, entirely overseen by the Pacini Group's design department following the renovation process that began in 2024. With 58 guest rooms, distributed over six floors, extensive views and open-air spaces, the top floor can be entirely reserved for a family thanks it its ample space and large terrace.

“A hotel that combines practicality and elegance”

“Thanks to our design department we have created a hotel that combines practicality and elegance, and is quite unique compared to the traditional offerings in the area,” says Emidio Pacini, CEO and founder of the Pacini Group. 

Showers or bathtubs in the rooms

The hotel’s style has been totally renewed with a modern design, from the lobby to the cozy rooms, where the bright white tones are enriched by rubberized wallpaper with a natural wood grain. Scratch-resistant laminate flooring guarantees durability and style, while the modern bathrooms are in ceramic in shades of grey and white, with showers or bathtubs according to type of room.

An outdoor area and two meeting rooms

Breakfast consists of a selection of home-made dishes, and for a break during the day the lobby bar has comfortable relaxation areas. During the warm months a quiet outdoor area is also available for guests, and for business meetings or special events there are two meeting rooms. 

The Forestis Villa is a luxury retreat that has been inaugurated in Bressanone - South Tyrol.

“We breathed new life into the annex”

After meticulous restoration, the villa has been brought back to life and can now accommodate up to ten people. With its large loggias, stone plinth and wooden facades, the villa echoes the traditional Alpine architecture of elegant mountain residences, strongly influenced by European Art Nouveau. “We are delighted with the opening of the Forestis Villa,- said the owners Teresa Unterthiner and Stefan Hinteregger- “This is a new reality in the hôtellerie world in Italy. The restoration of the villa, which had been unused for decades, aimed at rescovering the original character of the historic building. In cooperation with the provincial cultural heritage office and specialized restorers we breathed new life into the annex.”

Lessons in meditation and yoga, and a heated pool

The villa on an area of 1,200 sqm is on several floors and includes an exclusive spa. Inspired by the teachings of the Druids, great connoisseurs of nature, it offers all the richness of the area's natural resources. Instructors in meditation, yoga, Wyda and breathing, experts in Celtic movement geometry and specialized therapists are available for private lessons and massages. The spa also features a large indoor-outdoor heated pool, a massage room with a two-person tub, a large rain shower, a sauna and steam room, a relaxation room with a fireplace and a fitness area.

The villa has concierge, private chef and butler services 

The five spacious bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms reflect the architectural traditions of mountain villas dating back more than a century. The garden with an outdoor kitchen, barbecue area, private herb garden, spring water fountain, swimming pool and lounge area is also available to guests. The stone wine cellar, in addition to a selection of fine wines and speck, houses an event room, which can also be used for exhibitions. The ground floor also has a living room with a fireplace, kitchen, dining room and breakfast room. Beneath the original exposed attic beams, dating back to 1912, there is a large living room with a home cinema and lounge area. The villa can only be booked exclusively: a concierge, butler and private chef are available to assist guests at any time of the day or night.

A new Apulian resort for the Garibaldi Hotels Group which opens the GH Gallipoli Resort.

A new 4-star resort with a large grounds

The company is based in Ostuni in Apulia, and already has properties in Lecce, the Itria Valley and the Salento Adriatic. The Gallipoli property is a four-star resort, surrounded by extensive grounds. Besides a large garden it also has a two centuries-old underground oil mill that can be visited as well as 58 keys, a swimming pool with a solarium, a small indoor gymnasium, two bars and three restaurants and there is a beach with a shuttle service just a few minutes away.

Events will play a major role

The GH Gallipoli Resort also has a large events area. “We plan to open as early as April, focusing on MICE and banqueting which already have a solid base in the property but that we want to further expand,- explains Garibaldi Hotels’ CEO Fabrizio Prete. “The aim is to tend towards a prolonged opening going beyond the classic summer months, in line with our strategy that focuses on stretching the season. For this it is essential we work with foreign markets, on which we are already moving to sign deals. 

“Quality catering will be a plus”

The Apulian hotel chain now has 14 properties, including resorts, clubs, hotels and historic residences. “The new property boosts our resort offer which is fundamental for conquering the medium-high market segment, the target we are aiming at ,- adds the company's president, Egidio Ventimiglia. -We are looking at possible investments in this area and the customization of details that can make a difference on the market. We will also assess integrating further services for increasingly demanding Italian and international clients. One of the pluses of the Gallipoli Resort will certainly be quality catering.”

On 1 February the new five-star lifestyle Hotel Nemi-Nest is to open in Milan. 

Suites with gardens and city views

Located on Via Benvenuto Cellini, in the Cinque Giornate area, a district with historic shops, local markets and artisan workshops as well as new fashion showrooms and design studios, the hotel will have 49 rooms on four floors. These include the Garden Suites, with private gardens and the Milano Suites, with panoramic views over the rooftops and the city’s skyline. There is also an open-air inner courtyard, which is a modern take on the style of the old railing houses typical of Milan. There is also a bar lounge and the Forte Milano Restaurant, with menus that pay homage to Mediterranean seafood traditions.

Guided tours of the neighbourhood

Designed for Nemi by experienced designers and Elesta, the hotel offers many activities that are not just accessory elements of a stay, but a fundamental and significant way to engage with the city. Such as exploring the neighbourhood from the colourful Via Lincoln to the Quadrilatero del Silenzio to discover the musical soul of Milan, which begins at the Conservatoire and includes a visit to a lute-maker's workshop. Then there is the Milan for kids, ranging from an urban stroll around (and inside) the Bagni Misteriosi, to gastronomic tours of traditional Milanese cuisine, ethnic venues, local markets and innovative new restaurants, as well as outings with an expert guide to enjoy the neighbourhood shopping streets and many “secret” corners.

Essential lines and a play of lights

The hotel‘s architectural details are reminiscent of the interweaving of nests, hence the name Nemi-Nest. The exterior façade, with its essential lines, is enhanced by a play of lights, by iGuzzini, that move the surface. The interior design project by Spagnulo & Partners relies on a discreet and refined palette of colours to create an intimate and sophisticated ambience, which, at the same time, projects a youthful mood with ironic and contemporary touches.