In the heart of Tuscany's lush wine-growing region this sumptuous villa can host up to 22, has an open-air theatre and concierge service, and is close to many of the region's most iconic cities.

L’Albareta turned 30 at the end of September, and the special celebrations will last for a year.

A party that will last for 365 days

In creating L’Albareta Carmen Moretti De Rosa and her father Vittorio Moretti’s aim was to create a home that would welcome each guest in a unique and special way. And at the end of September l'Albereta celebrated its first 30 years with a party that will last for another 365 days.

Special dishes, cocktails and experiences for guests

During the year this Franciacorta Relais & Chateaux will take every opportunity to celebrate its special milestone year, and every 23rd of the month it will be possible to book a stay at an exceptional rate and also to experience a special dish, cocktail, spa treatment, or other experiences tailor-made for the occasion. There will also be the chance to discover and enjoy the rendezvous, parties, and souks that l’Albereta is so fond of and to partake in the many events and celebrations that will be organized on the Bellavista Hill in Erbusco.

Camping Gasparina in Castelnuovo del Garda is the latest new entry of the Baia Holiday brand.

Next door to Gardaland

With the new Camping Gasparina Baia Holiday doubles its offer in the Lake Garda area where its headquarters are also located, in the historical centre of Salò. The only campsite in the resort, the  Camping Gasparina is literally one step away from Gardaland. The complex thus complements the historic Piccola Gardiola concept village in San Felice del Benaco.

“This campsite is important for our business”

Valerio Vezzola

"We have long wanted to have a new property in the Lake Garda area and it is extremely important both for our history and for our business, - says managing director Valerio Vezzola. The Camping Gasparina is perfect for Baia Holiday’s hospitality formula that, in addition to excellent services, encompasses beautiful natural and very green surroundings. “Having this campsite in our portfolio of facilities will also allow us to create new and strategic synergies with the Veneto side of the Benaco.”

A range of facilities for campers

The Camping Gasparina will have maxi caravans alongside the pitches and convenient direct access to the beach on the lake as well as the  La Barchetta Bar, the Oasi Restaurant-Pizzeria, and a market, the water park with a semi-Olympic pool, a whirlpool area, and a children's pool. Camping Gasparina is also pet-friendly.

The Palazzo Ripetta in Rome is one of the ten new Relais & Châteaux entries which also include the brand's debut in Egypt, with the Al Moudira in Luxor.

Palazzo Ripetta has works by famous artists

The Palazzo Ripetta in Rome, founded in the late 17th century, was purchased in the 1960s by the family of the current CEO, Giacomo Crisci, and over the years has been embellished with art and design works including the iconic Sfera by Pomodoro and the works of other great artists like Bruno Liberatore and Giacomo Manzù, and even pioneers of New York street art, including Angel Ortiz. Having undergone a complete refurbishment the hotel now has 78 rooms and suites, five meeting rooms, the San Baylon Restaurant, the indoor Baylon Cocktail Bar, the Piazzetta Ripetta in the outdoor courtyard, and the new and exclusive Etere Rooftop, on the building’s top floor.

“In 2023 we welcomed 27 new associates”

"I am delighted to welcome these ten new residences to Relais & Châteaux, which enrich our current offer,- comments the group’s president, Laurent Gardinier. -In 2023 we welcomed 27 new associates, which demonstrates the dynamism of our network and our desire to consolidate the quality and diversity of the experiences that guests can enjoy in our establishments."

Eight new Relais & Châteaux properties

The other eight Relais & Châteaux new entries are the Cap Maison in Saint Lucia, the de la Gaude in Aix-en-Provence, the Canadian Fogo Island Inn, L'And Vineyards and the Valverde Santar in Portugal, the Casa Chameleon in Costa Rica and the Catalochee Ranch in the United States, as well as the La Tanière Restaurant in Quebec. 

B&B Hotels' adventure in Italy is 15 years old. 

B&B Hotels to close 2023 with 75 properties in Italy

The B&B Hotels group, which now boasts over 700 properties worldwide, currently manages a total of 65 hotels in Italy. By the end of the year these are set to become 70, making B&B Hotels one of the most widespread hotel brands in our country.

"Our vision for the next decade is to have 150 hotels” 

"Our vision for the next decade is to become the hotel chain of reference in Italy with 150 hotels," says B&B Hotels Italy’s CEO and president Slovenia and Hungary, Liliana Comitini. "By the end of 2023 we will have 70, in a record year that has already seen eleven openings: two in Sicily and two in Liguria, including an iconic hotel in Santa Margherita Ligure, one in Veneto, in Piedmont and in Tuscany and the first in Puglia by the end of the year. Added to these are the first two franchise openings in Lombardy. We will pursue our goals by facing the economic challenges of the current moment and the search for suitable properties to continue our expansion throughout Italy."

The Una Group is to open at Portello in Milan with a 176-room hotel in the middle of 2026. 

“We are close to the MICO Convention Centre”

“We successfully secured the tender to oversee the property to be constructed at Portello in Milan, an integral component of a complex comprising two buildings close to the MICO Conference Centre,” says managing director, Fabrizio Gaggio. “The hotel, which will span 21 floors, have 176 rooms and restaurants, bars, and clubs on the fop four levels, will join our portfolio through a long-term lease agreement.”

“We significantly improved margins this year” 

This announcement coincides with a highly positive summer for Una, with volumes surpassing pre-Covid levels and average rates increasing by 13% over 2022.

“We have largely met our budgetary goals. Our initial forecasts were cautious, considering the surge in energy costs in 2022, however, we managed to contain these expenses, significantly improving margins,” says Gaggio. The group's success is fuelled by the strong resurgence of demand from the United States, now the primary market for some of the company's hotel like the Unahotels Trastevere in Rome. “Our F&B has also provided significant satisfaction, especially since we decided to internalize it from the end of 2021, with the notable exception of Bartolini's Restaurant in Milano Verticale.” 

Hotels in Genoa and Puglia are in the pipeline

Looking ahead, the company is interested in the so-called Big 4 cities, as well as secondary urban destinations, starting with Genoa. Another goal is Puglia, where the plan is to expand the offering with new resorts, following the model successfully implemented in Taormina and Giardini di Naxos. Significant renovations are also in the pipeline for the Art by Spanish Steps Una Esperienze hotel in Rome, and in the Unahotels Cusani in Milan, slated to be repositioned as Una Esperienze in 2024.

A tricky path to follow given high-interest rates

“Of course the current high-interest rates pose challenges to the development plans of the entire hotel sector. Even for groups like us, adopting asset-light strategies means that expected returns for investors tend to rise, leading to an increase in rent levels. The idea is to collaborate with those with long-term perspectives, but this is not without its difficulties.”

Toscana Promozione Turistica, is looking to the US, China and South America, said director Francesco Tapinassi, speaking at the WTM.

“Turning the Tuscany spotlight on in markets that were on hold”

"For 2024 we are aiming to boost the promotion of medium and long haul, with the US first and foremost, but also China and Japan, and then South America with Brazil and Argentina,- said Tapinassi.  -This means turning the Tuscany spotlight on again in markets that were on hold over the last few years for one reason or another. Of course we are also working on the domestic market, especially after this summer’s drop in sea and sun tourism, due to the country's economic crisis and rising in costs.  The 2024 target country for Tuscany is Spain, where up to now we have not taken direct action.” 

Tuscany: a region for wellness, wines, food and nature

“We will also concentrate on families, and those travelling with pets, which are a very interesting target for our region. And we will reprise old chestnuts like camper-van tourism, we are the third region in terms of the number of berths.” At the WTM the Tuscany region presented the Benvenuti in Toscana project for women travellers.  “We are also promoting the message that Tuscany is a destination devoted to wellness, wines and food and, of course, nature. In short, all themes for an audience seeking sustainability.”