Aperture

🍴 Executive Chef Andrea Sangiuliano leads the revamped Cafè Romano at the Hotel d’Inghilterra Roma – Starhotels Collezione, offering a dining experience rooted in Roman culinary traditions and seasonal, local products. The restaurant now connects to the lobby, creating a welcoming Roman lounge atmosphere. Dishes like Crispy Zucchini Flower with "Cacio e Pepe" and Spaghetti with Mantis Shrimp, Lemon Zest from Terracina, and Chili Oil highlight the local flavors. Pastry Chef Edoardo Volpe and Head Barman Angelo di Giorgi contribute to the café's elevated gastronomic offerings. General Manager Massimo Colli emphasizes the hotel's commitment to Italian taste and hospitality.

📖 AUGUSTO Contract, a general contractor specialized in hospitality and foodservice, has completed the new Panfè Bocconi in Milan, marking the chain's 20th location and the third in Milan. The project, located at via Bocconi 5, was finished in under a month. AUGUSTO Contract managed various aspects, including construction, electrical and air conditioning systems, furniture, graphics, and refrigeration changes. The modern and welcoming design features a large counter, green sage and soft yellow colors, LED-lit key phrases, and wood and metal shelving. To date, AUGUSTO Contract has completed over 260 projects.

🏦 Numa Group, a leading fully digital hospitality platform in Europe, is expanding its Italian portfolio with four new properties in Rome, Florence, and Venice, totaling over 455 units. In Rome's Trastevere historic district, a development with 72 units and 291 beds will open in Q2 2025. Florence's Palazzo Haggis, featuring 6 units, is set to open in Q4 2024, close to major attractions. Venice's Palazzo Orseolo, with 13 units and 34 beds, is being renovated in the San Marco district. Umberto Ottaviani, General Manager Italy at Numa Group, emphasizes the expansion's aim to blend historic charm with modern digital comforts.

🍕 Roadhouse, part of Gruppo Cremonini, expands in Mantova with two new outlets, adding to their 20+ year-old Roadhouse Restaurant. RIC Chicken House opens its third location, after successful launches in Milan and Bologna, featuring homemade marinades and grilled chicken. Billy Tacos, a fast casual Mexican-inspired chain, has opened nearly 100 locations, popular with Gen Z for its customizable "french tacos". The original Mantova Roadhouse Restaurant, opened in 2004, has been fully renovated. The new outlets at P.le Aldo Levoni 11, employ over 40 youths.

🏡 Four Seasons Hotel in New York, closed since March 2020 due to COVID-19, reopens on November 15. Initially, a limited number of rooms will be available, with full 368-room and suite capacity expected by 2025. Property owned by Ty Warner. The Ty Bar and The Garden restaurant will also resume service, featuring a new Italian-inspired menu.

🏠 Bonfanti Design Hotel, a 4-star establishment in Val Pusteria, underwent a significant renovation and expansion by the Bonfanti family, with Paola Bonfanti, hotel director Jan Vlasak, and architect Paul Seeber creating an "alpin chic" design. The hotel now boasts 60 spacious contemporary rooms including Design Room Lux, Royal Design Suite, and an 80 sqm King Royal Suite with forest views. Wellness offerings include a year-round heated outdoor pool and a 300 sqm swim pond, an outdoor sauna, and a -10° snow room. The hotel also features a restaurant with show cooking, an exclusive bistro, a cellar with over 100 fine wines, and a lounge bar. A large playroom caters to children with a variety of entertainment options.

🏠 Numa Group expands its Italian portfolio with four new properties in Rome, Venice, and Florence. Rome's address, scheduled to open in Q2 2025, will offer 72 units and 291 beds. Florence boasts two properties: Palazzo Haggis, near the Duomo with 6 units opening in Q4 2024, and a second in the San Niccolò district. In Venice, Palazzo Orseolo, located in the vibrant San Marco district, is under renovation, providing 13 units and 34 beds. Umberto Ottaviani, General Manager for Italy, emphasizes Numa's commitment to redefining hospitality with historic charm and modern, digital convenience. Numa seeks further expansion in key markets like Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence, Naples, Verona, and Turin.

🏡 Bulgarella Group's expansion continues with the opening of a 4-star commercial "green" hotel in Palermo and the Marinella colony in Sarzana, both in 2025. Additionally, they are working on two hotels in Viareggio. Currently, Bulgarella has 30 properties across 5 Italian regions. Ray Lo Faso, the group's General Manager, stated they are focused on Rome and Milan but have no plans for international expansion. The group aims to cater to up-level clients seeking experiential holidays, as seen in the case of Room of Andrea in Trapani, located in the historical Palazzo Platamone. Challenges for expansion include lack of investments and accessibility in "minor Italy," with seaside tourism notably suffering due to high flight prices and tourist taxes.

🍽 In the heart of Rome, "Stendhal Milano" opens in the historic 1922 Galleria Alberto Sordi, offering an all-day dining experience from executive chef Edoardo Ferrara. The venue reflects the sophistication of Milan in the '80s and '90s with a contemporary twist by architects Claudio Saverino and Tiziano Vudafieri. The two-level restaurant, with 60 seats, blends retro and modern design, featuring "Verde Stendhal" color themes, customized wallpaper, brass, marble, textured glass, and wood. The menu highlights traditional Milanese cuisine, including Risotto ‘giallo’, Mondeghili, and Cotoletta Milanese, complemented by Roman dishes, a wine list of about 150 labels, and signature cocktails.

🏨 BWH Hotels Italia & Malta reported growth in 2024, adding 14 new establishments totaling 817 rooms. After closing 2023 with €365 million in revenue, 4.5 million guest appearances, and 3 million roomnights, the 2024 year-to-date revenue per available room (RevPar) increased by 2.5% compared to 2023. New bookings are also on the rise for the next quarter. CEO Sara Digiesi emphasized the development plan's focus on added value for existing hotels and an upper-upscale WorldHotels offering, while Chief of Development Fabrizio Doria highlighted the brand's diverse portfolio and interest in lifestyle and upscale propositions.