Merano’s Imperial Art Boutique & Design Hotel is an ideal choice for a relaxing Spring break.

Springtime, and a chance for new adventures

Easter is a time for celebrating rebirth. Spring, with its awakening, invites you to rediscover energy and vitality. So why not let yourself  be enchanted by the magic of Spring and embrace new adventures featuring art and good food?

Perfect pampering in Merano

The Imperial Art Boutique & Design Hotel is known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere in the heart of Merano, a city which is known as the Pearl of Tyrol for its geographical position and natural beauty. At the Imperial Art Boutique & Design Hotel in one of the most evocative cities in the region, a love for beauty is combined with art, design and refined hospitality. 

The hotel is located in the centre of Merano

The property has been skilfully renovated and combines the charm of the past with contemporary furnishings and décor. Located in the centre of Merano, it is the first art hotel in South Tyrol. It has just 12 rooms, all of which are unique with contemporary décor and antique furniture, in an original and charming setting. 

Ph credits: Dimitri Photo by Tiberio Sevillo

Ph credits: Marcello Jori by Eheim

Ph credits: Ulrich Egger by Eheim​

Ph credits: Elisabeth Holzl by Eheim

Each of the rooms has an original and captivating style

Some examples? In room 11 the white walls with engraved crystals create an elegant minimalist feel. The gold of room 12 exudes energy and evokes a feeling of freedom thanks to the very high ceiling. Room 32, on the other hand, is decorated with inlays of mysterious figures and has furniture with curious shapes, while a huge bathtub in the centre of the room invites you to relax.

The rooms include penthouses with Jacuzzis and hot tubs 

In the Penthouse Thermae the old thermal baths of Merano live again in the armchairs from the 1960s, and you can enjoy a spectacular view from the Jacuzzi on the terrace. The Paradise Loft gives the illusion of floating on clouds, and from the hot tub on the roof you can enjoy breath-taking views of Merano and its beautiful mountains. Prices at the Imperial Art Boutique and Design Hotel start from €223 per night for two people, with free VIP admission to the Merano Thermal Baths.

Cycle paths in Merano

Meininger Hotels has opened its fourth Italian property in Venice Mestre, which joins the one in Rome and two in Milan. 

The new hotel has 112 keys with 434 beds

The seven-story Meininger Venice Mestre building, which previously housed a Wombat's hostel, was partially renovated and completely redesigned by the German group after its acquisition in 2022. The hotel now offers a total of 434 beds, divided into 112 keys ranging from doubles to multiples. They can also be used as dormitories with a maximum of six beds and are designed for families, school trips, groups of friends, and backpackers.  

There are also a guest kitchen, a games area, washing machines and dryers

The new Meininger hotel in Venice Mestre also has a guest kitchen, free baby cribs, large common areas, a games area with a pool table, a lobby, bar service, lockers, washing machines, and dryers. Roberta De Lucia, who is at the helm of the hotel, has been managing and supervising pre-opening activities since 2022. Born in Italy, she trained as a hotel manager in Germany and has successfully led three hotel openings in Venice, including an a&o Hostels and the Wombat's Hostels.  Meininger Hotels continues to expand, and this summer will open its 35th location in Cologne. In addition, an opening is planned in Krakow, which will mark its entry into the Polish market.

Elisa Peroli is the new general manager of Villa la Massa, a hotel in Candeli, on the outskirts of Florence, and part of the Villa d'Este Hotels Group. 

Long years of experience in F&B 

Originally from Italy’s Veneto, region Elisa Peroli has spent her professional career up to now in Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, where she has held positions of increasing responsibility in various locations in Italy and around the world, including London, Los Angeles, Sydney, Doha, Athens, and Florence. She initially started as assistant restaurant manager at the Los Angeles property, as well as a bar manager in Sydney, before becoming the restaurant manager at the hotel in Doha.

Specialized in events management 

After her international experience, Elisa Peroli returned to Italy as the director of catering at the Four Seasons in Florence, a position she held from 2008 to 2018. The following year, to consolidate her experience in the events area, she joined the Astir Palace Hotel Athens as the director of catering & conference services. More recently, she returned to the Four Seasons in Florence as the director of events.

The Romeo Hotel, the 5-star hotel in Naples with 79 rooms and suites, becomes a Collection and a sister property is to open in Rome.

The Naples hotel is in the old Lauro fleet building

The Naples hotel, in the historic headquarters of the Lauro fleet, was designed by the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. And the company behind the Neapolitan property will open another Collection in the second half of this year: the Romeo Roma.

The Romeo Roma will have 74 rooms and suites

In a late 16th-century building belonging to the noble Serroberti-Capponi family, the new Roman hotel will be designed by the Zaha Hadid studio and will have 74 rooms and suites. Located a few steps from the downtown Campo Marzio neighbourhood, Romeo Roma will have both a gourmet and a traditional restaurant, as well as an outdoor courtyard with an indoor and outdoor pool, a lounge and rooftop bar, and Romeo the SPA by Sisley Paris.

Work has begun on The Langham Venice, which is scheduled to open on the island of Murano in 2026, from the conversion of the former Mocenigo casino and a glass factory. 

Original frescoes and a 20-metre swimming pool

The Langham Venice will feature 133 guest rooms, including 30 suites, as well as a restaurant with outdoor seating and an exclusive rooftop bar. There will also be a central courtyard-garden, with meeting spaces both inside and outside, and a 20-metre swimming pool. The operation is being supervised by the Matteo Thun & Partners studio, which is restoring the original frescoes of the casino in The Langham Venice and redeveloping the buildings in the old glass factory, both of which date back to the 16th century.

The Langham in London was the first grand hotel in Europe

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Great Eagle Holdings, Langham Hospitality Group comprises a collection of hotels under the Langham brand, as well as the Cordis Hotels and Ying'nFlo brands. Currently, there are over 30 projects already confirmed or under negotiation in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East. The company is named after the legendary Langham in London, which opened in 1865 and is recognized as the first grand hotel in Europe.

The new gm of the Ludwig House Valpolicella, in the province of Verona, is Philippe Nicolas Gonzalez. 

The launch property of entrepreneur Eugenio Gallina

The Palladian villa in San Pietro in Cariano is the first property of the new brand launched last year by Eugenio Gallina, a hospitality entrepreneur from Brescia. Born in the province of Bologna in 1985 into a family of international origins, Gonzalez spent his childhood in France and then moved to Lake Garda. With his great love for travel, and curiosity for the world, he graduated in East Asian languages and cultures with a specialisation in Japanese, at the Cà Foscari University of Venice. 

From the Hilton Bankside in London to the St. Regis in Venice

His academic path led him to a career in luxury hospitality. First in London, where, among other activities, he dealt with the opening of the Hilton Bankside. He has been in Venice since 2017. Prior to his career in management, he was in the St. Regis Venice where he headed operations during the delicate rebranding stage.

After Fabio Datteroni’s departure Imelda Shllaku will take over at Hotel La Palma on Capri for its reopening. With an almost thirty-year career behind her, the future general manager boasts extensive experience in the luxury hospitality sector. 

Management roles in Europe and the Middle East

After her first role as hotel manager at Sina The Gray in Milan, Shllaku worked for The Ritz Carlton group first in Dublin, then on the Thai island of Krabi. Subsequently, she managed the London and Milan properties of Bulgari Hotel & Resorts for seven years, holding various positions, and eventually becoming director of rooms at the Armani Hotel in Dubai and the One & Only in the Maldives. After a year off, in which she dealt with consultancy for 15 important luxury hotels, she then took over as general manager of the Baglioni Hotel London. Her last role before Capri saw her become global director of rooms & guest experiences for the Kerzner International group.

“We will guarantee guests an impeccable experience” 

“I am enthusiastic about my new role as general manager of La Palma on Capri,- says Shllaku. - I believe that my experience will allow me to lead the team in the best possible way, guaranteeing guests an impeccable experience. We can't wait to open the doors of this special property and welcome both locals and guests from all over the world." 

Right beside Capri’s Piazzetta square

La Palma on the island of Capri, built in 1822 and completely refurbished, is the first hotel project to bear the signature of Francis Sultana. The interior designer collaborated with the best local craftsmen to pay homage to tradition. Just a short walk from the legendary little Piazzetta square, the hotel has a restaurant and a terrace bar, beach club, swimming pool, spa,  gym and three boutiques. The catering will be managed by chef Gennaro Esposito.

The southern Basilicata region has been crowned by Forbes as an ideal destination for all seasons, with two locations among the top five to visit in Italy: Maratea and Metaponto. 

Two charming towns untouched by mass tourism

After presenting itself to the world with the splendid Matera, European Capital of Culture in 2019, Basilicata continues to be at the centre of international interest. Now it is the prestigious US magazine Forbes that has recommended not one but two locations in southern Basilicata to visit: Maratea and Metaponto. The interest in charming Italian towns untouched by the crowds of mass tourism, demonstrates how there is a new focus on authentic places and experiences. And even the international fashion bible Vogue has included Basilicata among the 12 best destinations in the world to visit in 2023. 

Idyllic inlets and swith pale to deep turquoise waters

Maratea and Metaponto, are on different shores of southern Basilicata, which although small has two seas, not to mention the splendid Lucanian Dolomites mountains. Maratea is described as a “splendid seascape bordered by Campania to the north and Calabria to the south. Dotted with idyllic inlets and splashed with pale to deep turquoise waters, this coastline offers numerous beach and club options. A few hours’ drive eastwards, you will arrive at the Ionian coast of Basilicata, with gentler terrain and wide, pale sandy beaches. The town of Metaponto is well located, close to Greek ruins and water. 

Close to Francis Ford Coppola's Palazzo Margherita in Bernalda 

Francis Ford Coppola's beautifully restored Palazzo Margherita in Bernalda, Borgo San Gaetano, is a splendid boutique hotel created in the spaces of an old oil mill using green building techniques and recovering the original materials. It has just seven delightful accommodations, including two-storey suites and one-level cottages, all equipped with every comfort, and an atmosphere of relaxed luxury. Borgo San Gaetano staff are available to organize tours and guided visits with qualified guides. The price for a stay at Borgo San Gaetano ranges from €90-150 for two people per night, with a hearty breakfast included.

A ghost town and the city of the Sassi

The elegant town of Bernalda can be the ideal base from which to explore southern Basilicata, with Metaponto only a 15-minute drive away with its magnificent sea, park and archaeological museum. About forty minutes' drive away is the enchanting Matera, the city of the Sassi that has conquered the world with its uniqueness. Then there is the ghost town of Craco, the villages of San Costantino Albanese and Tricarico, and pushing further north, the province of Potenza with its mountains, the Lucanian Dolomites. Maratea is a little further away, but you must make room for it on a visit to southern Basilicata. 

Air Baltic will add Milan Malpensa and Nice to its network of destinations from its Tampere base from May with two Airbus A220-300s flights per week. 

“We are delighted to add Milan and Nice to our routes”

“We will celebrate the first anniversary of our Tampere base in a few months, and so far, demand from Finnish passengers has exceeded our expectations, - says Martin Gauss, president and CEO of the Latvian airline. - Following this success, we are delighted to add Milan and Nice to our routes, as both are popular tourist destinations. We anticipate that demand will increase further this year, allowing us to launch additional routes to various commercial hubs and leisure destinations in the future.”

More than 70 destinations 

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The Galles in Milan is to join Unahotels on 1 March. The former Best Western Plus Hotel Galles, owned by Filippo Seccamani, will in fact be managed directly by the Una Group’s brand. 

200 rooms and suites and a panoramic restaurant

The Unahotels Galles Milano is a historic 4-star hotel overlooking central Corso Buenos Aires. It has over 200 rooms and suites, the panoramic La Terrazza restaurant on the sixth floor, a wellness centre and a conference centre with six meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 100 people.

The Una Group’s portfolio stands at over 50 hotels

With this new entry in Milan, the number of hotels, luxury apartments and residences of the Una Group in the Lombardy capital area will stand at 12. Following this new acquisition, the company's portfolio will also symbolically surpass the threshold of 50 hotels, thanks to 34 directly managed facilities and 17 in franchising, under the brands Una Esperienze, Unahotels and Unaway.

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