The boutique Hotel Torre di Cala Piccola, 15 minutes from Porto Santo Stefano, has reopened under the management of the Erqole team.

The Swedish Group owns other hotels in Tuscany

The property has 53 rooms and suites, most of which have sea views, a restaurant and a bistro with an outdoor terrace overlooking the island of Giglio. The Erqole Group, which is part of the Swedish holding Qarlbo Ab owned by the Jonsson family, which acquired the new property from Cala Piccola s.p.a., is growing. The Scandinavian company is already the owner in Porto Ercole of the Hotel la Roqqa (the completely renovated former hotel Don Pedro) and the Isolotto Beach Club (formerly Le Viste Beach Club and Riva del Marchese). It is also restyling the Fattoria la Capitana in Magliano, in the Grosseto area, acquired at the end of 2022, as well as reconverting the former Cirio - a fish factory inm Porto Ercole that had been abandoned for 40 years - into a hotel, designed by the architect Marco Casamonti of Archea Associati.

“Giving the area back the value it deserves” 

"We are investing in this long-term project to give back to the area the value it deserves, focusing on the highest level of hospitality, and at the same time on sustainability, especially from a social point of view,- says Anton Jonsson, creative director of Erqole and Qarlbo, and a member of the board of directors of Qarlbo. -We have recently appointed Stefano Cuoco as Erqole's new CEO, a professional with 20 years' experience in the luxury hospitality sector, who will support Flavio Bucciarelli, who has become president and hospitality CEO of Qarlbo.” 

In the heart of the city, the B&B Hotel Catania City Center is the third Sicilian property for the Swiss group. 

“We want to be more present in the South and on the islands”

The hotel has 96 rooms and is pet friendly. "This new opening confirms our choice to expand more throughout the country, with particular attention this year to the South and the islands, where we want to be more present,” says Liliana Comitini.

Comfortable, convenient and quality travel experiences

"We are therefore continuing to expand our network with a tight pipeline of openings," continues the president and managing director of B&B Hotels Italy, Hungary and Slovenia. "Our constant commitment is to offer our guests a comfortable, convenient and quality travel experience that reflects our dedication to exceeding customers' expectations.”

A new boutique hotel in the heart of Rome, Palazzo Venere, will officially open its doors on 1 May. 

A new downtown hotel with 12 rooms and suites

Located between the central Via del Corso and Via del Babuino, just a short distance from Piazza del Popolo, the hotel boasts 12 rooms and suites, some of which feature a private terrace with views over the rooftops of Rome. With a timeless atmosphere and contemporary style, the interiors have been designed by the WeConcept interior design studio, under the guidance of architect Carlotta Patti.

The VIP concierge can organize exclusive experiences

Among the hotel's services is the VIP concierge, through which guests can enjoy various exclusive experiences and activities, such as a private visit to the Vatican Museums or a tour of Rome's most precious restoration ateliers, organize cocktails on the city's most beautiful panoramic rooftops, or indulge in some personal shopping in famous boutiques. Additionally, for food enthusiasts, the hotel offers a cooking class dedicated to pasta, where guests can try their hand at preparing one of the classics of Italian cuisine. In addition to this experience, it is possible to book a session with a color analysis expert, while relaxing and enjoying an aperitif.

Both a capital increase and a new financial partner are in sight for Club del Sole. 

A reinvestment in Club del Sole by NB Aurora and partners

NB Aurora, which acquired 40% of the open-air Club del Sole group in 2018 through its subsidiary First Club, has signed a binding agreement to sell its entire stake in the Romagna operator's holding company to The Equity Club. The transaction will have a total countervalue of approximately €109 million, of which some €35 million will be attributable to NB Aurora. The agreement envisages a reinvestment in Club del Sole by NB Aurora, together with other funds managed by the parent company Neuberger Berman and co-investors, for a maximum of €65 million (of which at least €45 million pertaining to NB Aurora). 

The majority of the capital will remain with the Giondi family

The Giondi family, which founded the open-air operator in 1974, will continue to hold the majority of the capital and guide the industrial project, with the transaction expected to close at the beginning of May 2024. The Equity Club is a club deal initiative promoted by Mediobanca together with Roberto Ferraresi and Filippo Penatti. According to some Italian media TEC should end up with 29% of the holding company Club del Sole, while NB Aurora and partners, including Red Circle Investments, would hold 20%. 

Pipero Roma and the team at the fine dining restaurant in The Sense Experience Resort Follonica join forces for an unprecedented fine-dining gastronomic partnership.

Follonica is two hours drive from Florence

Strongly desired by the general manager of the Icon Collection Group Ciro Verrocchi, the new partnership takes shape at the fine dining restaurant Eaté of The Sense Experience Resort in the Tuscan seaside town of Follonica, which is a couple of hours drive north of Florence. The new season, from 11 May, will see this union of two masters of Italian cuisine: entrepreneur Alessandro Pipero and Chef Ciro Scamardella. 

The Eatè Restaurant was listed in the 2023 Michelin Guide

"This collaboration represents an exciting fusion of food and wine talent and creative visions," says Federico Ficcanterri, owner of The Sense Experience Resort. With this partnership the Fine Dining Eatè Restaurant at The Sense Experience Resort, which has been listed in the Michelin Guide since 2023, becomes a landmark for lovers of fine cuisine, offers an unforgettable gastronomic experience directly on the beach of the charming Gulf of Follonica in the Tuscan Maremma. "I am thrilled to bring together chef Ciro Scamardella and restaurant manager Achille Sardiello and our unique style of cuisine and service to Eatè Restaurant at The Sense Experience Resort,- says Pipero. -Together, we will create an extraordinary gastronomic experience that will delight guests and leave them with indelible memories."

The resort has two restaurants and 112 rooms

The Sense Experience Resort is an exclusive 4-star superior resort that opened at the end of July 2020, in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma: nestled in a five-hectare nature park by the sea in the Gulf of Follonica just a stone's throw from the picturesque Torre Mozza area and featuring a private beach. The resort consists of five buildings with 112 rooms including Comfort, Deluxe, Superior and themed Suites, together with the Two Bedroom Suite which has a sea view and outdoor Jacuzzi. There are two restaurants: the central à la carte restaurant Dimora with indoor and outdoor seating, and the new fine-dining restaurant Eaté  which is located directly on the beach in an atmospheric location. The Red Rabbit Mixology Bar completes the resort’s F&B outlets.

The Hotel Massafra will be a new Apulian entry for the Bwh Hotels Italia group. 

49 guestrooms and two meeting rooms

In Massafra in the province of Taranto, near the local marinas, the Best Western Hotel Massafra will be inaugurated in May. The hotel will have 49 rooms on two floors, a restaurant with an outdoor area, and a fitness room. Two meeting rooms will also be available, one for up to 120 people that can be divided into three rooms, plus a second room for small meetings

"The choice of affiliation seemed strategic from the start”

The owners are the Cancro brothers, who have retail businesses and wanted a partner like Bwh Hotels Italia for their debut in hospitality "The choice of affiliation seemed strategic from the start: our objective of diversification passes through agreements with solid companies and well-known brands. Bwh Hotels Italia has both, and will support us in  the management, marketing, communication and design of our new hotel,- says Pio Cancro This is the fourth Bwh in Apulia.

Ciao Italy Tours’ owner says a growing number of US visitors want alternative Italian destinations. 

An increasing interest in alternative locations and in Italy’s culture

"There is an increasing interest in alternative locations as well as in Italy’s culture: from food and wine to motors, and of course history, architecture and art, all of which remain at the centre of what Americans want from Italy,” says Guido D'Ugo, owner of Ciao Italy Tours, the New York-based operator specialized in Italy.  

“The demand for alternative destinations is an unprecedented trend”

"Down the years we have sent many clients to Italy, and they have always returned delighted with their experience. However, for some time now, we have been noticing a significant evolution in demand. The increasing demand for alternative destinations is an unprecedented trend that I am convinced will continue to grow over time. 

Italy is a destination that contains many different destinations

“I have always maintained that Italy is a destination that contains many different destinations, because you can return to Italy twenty times, and each time you are going to discover something completely different.” 

Buone Vacanze is changing its brand to become BV Hotels & Resorts.

Resorts and leisure properties, but also urban and business hotels

This new corporate vision reflects the desire to offer guests increasingly sophisticated and personalized experiences, as well as to position the product not just in the resorts and leisure tourism segment but also as an urban and business operator. The rebranding has also led to the creation of a new logo, while "Value spreads" is the new claim and philosophy of the brand. The colour too changes, making way for blue, a symbol of luxury and elegance designed to embody BV's two souls: business and leisure.

“We provide an unforgettable experience for guests”

"This rebranding represents a new stage for our company,- says President Franco Falcone. -We are excited to introduce BV Hotels & Resorts as our new identity although our mission, to provide an unforgettable experience for guests, remains unchanged. We will continue to focus on excellence, creativity and innovation to ensure that every stay with us is a valuable experience."

Six properties in cities and seaside locations

To date the company operates six properties: three city hotels in Rome, Assisi and Cosenza, plus three resorts in seaside locations in Calabria. In line with the rebranding, the group will also launch a new website www.bvhotels.it, with details on its facilities as well as useful information and tips.

The Tuscan Via Francigena wants to reinvent itself, and the Tuscany Region is charting a new course for the historic road.  

A new body to manage the historical itinerary

Five years after the convention signed in 2020, a proposal has been put forward by  president Eugenio Giani and tourism councillor Leonardo Marras for a new body, run by a regional association, to manage the historical itinerary.  "Tuscany believes strongly in the valorization of the Via Francigena and in the “Comuni in Cammino” project,” says regional president Eugenio Giani. 

“A suggestive way to discover our region”

“Since 2009, the Region has invested over €20 million in the Via Francigena, bringing it to ideal levels of safety for travel on foot, bicycle, or horseback. It is a different, suggestive way to discover our region, its history and traditions, and I am happy that last December the state funds for the candidature of the road as a UNESCO heritage site were finally released. Tuscany is the lead region among the seven regions involved in this project.” 

The Francigena runs through five countries and 16 regions

The Francigena, with its 1,700 kilometres from Canterbury in England to Rome, and another 1,300 in its ideal continuation to Santa Maria di Leuca in Puglia, has been recognized by the European Council as a cultural itinerary. There are five countries and sixteen different regions involved on some one hundred and fifty stages of between 20 and 30 kilometres each. 

In Tuscany the road passes through 39 municipalities 

Religion is not the only dimension of the route, which is a melting pot of cultures and territories, as it is a slow walking, sustainable tourism product.  It crosses Tuscany for almost 400 kilometres passing through 39 municipalities, including Fucecchio, Lucca, Siena and Pontremoli.”

 

The 2022-2023 fiscal year of Hnh Hospitality concluded on 31 October with record revenues and a 15% profits and margins growth.

Heightened demand notably from the United States

The unprecedented figures topped the £100 million revenue mark for the first time. Direct management saw a notable surge, reaching £105.7 million, a 48% increase from 2022. Gross operating margins stood at £16.1 million, equating to 15%, reflecting a one-percentage-point rise over the previous year. Statutory net profit reached £6.4 million. The strong growth in both primary destinations, such as Rome, Milan, and Venice, and secondary cities like Verona, Bologna, and Trieste, was bolstered by heightened demand from foreign markets, notably the United States. 

“New openings have already been identified” 

In addition to the inauguration of Almar Giardino di Costanza in Sicily, 2023 saw the opening of Pullman Almar Timi Ama Resort & Spa in Villasimius, Sardinia, enhancing the luxury segment. 

“We'll remember 2023 as the year we topped the £100 million turnover milestone, but it's not just that,- said Luca Boccato, the company's CEO. -It was a year marked by sales consolidation, with employment levels returning to 2019 levels. However, the average price has soared by nearly 40% compared to the same period. Moreover, with the partnership of Fondo Italiano d'Investimento and Euler Capital, we've bolstered our strengths. This year we want to explore new avenues for growth and pursue diversified commercial development in a multi-brand approach. We look forward to soon announcing new openings that we have already identified.”