A Glimpse At New Luxury Hotel Openings In Central Italy

In the coming months, many pandemic-weary travelers will be planning visits to Italy. After a number of closures over the past two years, a spate of new luxury hotels have recently opened their doors or will be doing so in the near future.

All of these properties offer guests a deep-dive into Italy’s rich history and beauty. Because the country is known for its exceptional cuisine, these hotels also tend to showcase the best of regional cooking.

Italy is divided into 20 different regions, each with its own customs, foods and culture. Five of these regions fall geographically in the area that is considered central Italy—Tuscany, Lazio, Marche, Abruzzo, Umbria and Molise.

Here is a glimpse of a handful of the exciting. much-anticipated new hotel openings in central Italy:

The Pavilions Rome, The First Musica

City: Rome

Region: Lazio

This contemporary, five-star wellness hotel is located along the banks of the Tiber River offering breathtaking views of the historic center of Rome. Located close to the designer shops in Rome’s exclusive Prati neighborhood, guests staying at The First Musica an walk to The Spanish Steps and to St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

The architectural design team of Studio Marincola reimagined a 1960s building, infusing it with modern design elements. Most of the 24 contemporary rooms and suites offer floor-to-ceiling windows with lovely river views. Although intimate, the property has different dining options on three levels: Alto, a two-story rooftop bar, and Oliva, a restaurant serving regional specialties indoors and outdoors with views of the Tiber.

The hotel will be offering immersive experiences, including food-themed ones with food tours, cooking experiences, and fine dining as well as family-oriented ones rich in culture and history.

Scheduled opening: Summer 2022

Borgo San Vicenzo

Town: Montepulciano (in the province of Siena)

Region: Tuscany

It’s not surprising that Borgo San Vincenzo, a luxury boutique hotel sited in a town associated with some of Italy’s finest wines, is named after St. Vincent, the patron saint of winemaking.

The 21 studios and suites in this restored 18th-century farmhouse offer a fresh take on traditional Tuscan design, each one uniquely curated based on its location and architecture. The studios all offer king-sized beds, sitting areas, and kitchenettes with Italian linens, Nespresso coffee makers, Acqua dell-Elba toiletries, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

The countryside property has an on-site restaurant and bar and specializes in providing guests with bespoke, authentic, wine-related education and experiences. Guest itineraries include wine tastings, organic olive oil and pecorino cheese tastings at local farms, cooking and cocktail-making classes, and tours of the region by foot, horse, e-bike, Vespa, or hot air balloon.

Scheduled opening: Summer 2022

Anantara Palazzo Naidi Rome Hotel

City: Rome

Region: Lazio

The luxury global hospitality brand Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas announced its first property in Italy, the five-star Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the iconic hotel is centrally located at the heart of Rome’s Piazza della Repubblica.

The building has a fascinating architectural history with original elements commissioned by Pope Clement XI for the Vatican in 1705; its structure is suspended over the ancient Diocletian Thermal Baths, whose excavated fountains, pools, and mosaics are visible through the ground floor. The 238 guest rooms and suites, all with modern amenities, vary in size, configuration, and style; many offer panoramic city views and spacious terraces.

In addition to having one of the largest rooftop terraces in the city, the hotel has five unique indoor and alfresco dining venues. Since taking over the operation of the property, Anantara has been making a series of upgrades and refinements to this classic property, which recently provided a backdrop for House of Gucci with Lady Gaga and Adam Driver. A new Anantara Spa will launch on the top floor, and the hotel is developing a menu of bespoke Anantara experiences to introduce guests to the Eternal City.

Scheduled opening August 2022

Six Senses Rome

City: Rome

Region: Lazio

The hospitality brand that’s become synonymous with wellness is opening a new property, Six Senses Rome, the company’s first in Italy. Part of the Six Senses urban collection, the hotel is located on Piazza di San Marcello in the center of the city, only blocks away from the Fontana di Trevi and the Pantheon.

This restored UNESCO-listed, 18th-century, Rococo-style Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini once served as a residence for cardinals of the Catholic Church. Its main facade and central staircase have been painstakingly preserved and the building will now house 95 distinctive high-ceiling rooms and suites, a restaurant, and a rooftop terrace with 360° city views.

The interior design by Patricia Urquiola respects the individuality of the different room configurations. Integral to the project are the first-floor Six Senses Spa and Roman baths that will serve as a sanctuary of wellness for guests enjoying the city’s sights, nights, and delights.

Scheduled opening: Fall 2022

Palazzo Portinari Salviati

City: Florence

Region: Tuscany

Palazzo Portinari Salviati is located in the heart of the historic center of Florence, between Piazza del Duomo and Piazza Signoria. This magnificent Florentine palace was built in the 15th-century by the Portinaris, a wealthy family with ties to the Medicis.

Ownership of the property changed hands many times over successive centuries. It was purchased by the LDC Hotels & Resorts group, which invested some €80 million over the last three years to meticulously renovate and repurpose it into a luxury hotel.

Now the palazzo has 13 classically-furnished suites, some with double bedrooms that have finely restored Renaissance fresco ceilings The Royal Suite said to be one of the largest in Italy, occupying the entire main floor of the palazzo which includes its frescoed Gallery. The Salotto Portinari Bar & Bistro and the Chic Nonna restaurant, helmed by Chef Vito Mollica, offer locally-sourced gourmet dining. The property also has a gym and spa with a heated swimming pool.

Recently opened

Tenuta Di Artimino

Village: Artimino

Region: Tuscany

Tenuta di Artimino is set in the hills and vineyards of Montalbano, once home to an Etruscan settlement. The property includes an ancient villa (Villa dei Cento Camini) that was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.

Part of the Melia Collection of Melia Hotels International, 36 guest rooms sit in a 17th-century building, Paggeria Medicea, along with a group of 59 lodges dotting the medieval village, each with an independent entrance. The units are designed in Tuscan Renaissance style with terracotta floors, wooden beams, and local sandstone.

The property has its own onsite restaurant, Biagio Pignatta, adjacent to the hotel and only a short distance from the Villa, that serves traditional Tuscan fare. Located less than an hour from Florence, the property is convenient for visits to nearby vineyards and cantinas.

Recently opened