Aperture

🌟 Nicolaus Valtur Group is expanding with several new properties: Valtur Lifestyle in Cervinia opening December 4 with a 5-star rating post-restyling; a second Valtur Lifestyle in Gallipoli this summer featuring 122 rooms with a private bay and DJ-equipped suites. Valtur Maritim in Sibari, a 5-star facility aimed at MICE with a 1000-seat meeting room, complements nearly 1000 rooms across two other Nicolaus properties in Calabria. Efforts to add 15-20 hotels in Gargano are underway. Two new Club Nicolaus openings in Sardinia include the 4-star Nicolaus Club Li Cucutti in Budoni with 120 rooms, and the south's first 4-star Nicolaus Prime in the province of Cagliari at the Villa Resort Castiadas of Santa Giusta.

🏡 Belmond's Hotel Splendido in Portofino, Italy is undergoing a multi-year renovation led by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, with major updates each summer. In 2024, the hotel revealed refurbished rooms and a lobby. The 2023 focus was on the pool area, Splendido Grill restaurant, and La Baronessa suite. By 2025, the main building will be completely renovated, featuring new suites, junior suites, breakfast area, coffee bars, lounge bars, retail area, and a Dior Spa with four treatment cabins and a relaxation area on a panoramic terrace. Villa Beatrice, formerly known as Castello Odero and built by Attilio Odero, will open in July 2025, offering privacy with private sea access and services from Hotel Splendido. Located on Punta Caiega, the villa accommodates up to ten guests with four suites, an additional suite in "La Casetta," and includes amenities like a marble bathroom, a subtropical garden, private sea access, a pool with a solarium, butler service, a full kitchen, a gym, yoga or treatment area, and a large terrace for dining. Belmond acquired the villa in 2021, and restoration work includes original frescoes, ceilings by architect Gino Coppedè, and a mix of antique and contemporary regional art, designed in 1913.

🏠 Sonder, a multinational hospitality company, has launched 38 luxury suites and apartments in Milan's Corso Porta Romana, following the complete renovation of a building from the late 1960s, the former Hotel Lloyd. Angus Fiori Architects designed the project, maintaining existing alignments and complying with landscape constraints. The Unica wood/aluminum windows by BG Legno were chosen for their aesthetic and up to 46 db sound insulation, harmonizing with the historic surroundings and sustainable mobility services offered by Sonder Building.

🎤 Laura Pausini, Italian Grammy Award winner and one of the 25 most influential women of 2024 by People's Iberian edition, covers Freccia's November issue. The star concludes her world tour on December 31 in Messina. Turin's Egyptian Museum reopens Ellesiya's rock temple on November 20, free thanks to FS Italiane. A/R Andata e racconto literary contest winners, for authors aged 16+, include Flavia Forestieri, Jacopo Milani, and Carlo Junior Desgro. Interviews feature Robert Plant and his Frecciarossa journey, Malika Ayane's live series ending in Naples on December 3, and Alessandro Cattelan discussing upcoming projects including hosting Sanremo Giovani. Freccia magazine, available digitally on FS Italiane and in print on Trenitalia's Frecce trains, FRECCIALounge, and FRECCIA clubs.

📍 Minor Hotels announced the official signing of a dual-branded Tivoli and NH project in Yining, Xinjiang, marking the debut of Tivoli Hotels & Resorts and NH Hotels & Resorts in northwest China, set to open in 2025. The project spans 1.6 million square meters, featuring 200 rooms for each brand, alongside a commercial area, cultural performance center, and residential zones. Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels, expects the brands to appeal to both Chinese and international travelers, while Eddy Tiftik, VP of Minor Hotel, predicts a significant boost to Yining's local hospitality market and economic development.

🏖️ During Wtm London 2024, Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè discussed various topics, including sustainability and new trends, with John Whittingdale, British Minister for Media, Tourism, and Creative Industries. Emphasizing a strong relationship between Italy and the UK, Santanchè highlighted Italy's diverse tourism offerings, making it a year-round destination and the top choice for British tourists.

🏖 Sun Siyam Resorts introduces 24/24 all-inclusive access this month, following the success of Siyam World's all-inclusive premium plan. Guests can enjoy 24-hour access to multiple restaurants, drinks, and a variety of activities and entertainment, including snorkeling safaris, dolphin cruises, sunset fishing, spa credits, and water sports, tailored to cater to both relaxation and adventure seekers. The offerings vary across different resorts.

🏨 BWH Hotels Italia & Malta announces the addition of Turin City Centre to its portfolio, marking the group's seventh hotel in Turin. The Sure Hotel by Best Western, housed in a historical building from the 1800s, features 56 elegantly furnished rooms and a meeting room that can accommodate up to 40 people. The hotel is located near Porta Nuova station and offers a covered parking area and functional workspaces. Fabio Borio and Gabriela Cristiani express satisfaction with the partnership, emphasizing quality and strategic support. Fabrizio Doria of BWH highlights the group's commitment to meeting traveler needs and expanding their presence in central locations.

🔵 Alice Ceramica's Form collection features a sinuous and elegant geometry with 13 sink variants, 6 sanitary ware options, and various color solutions. The lavatory series includes ten shapes with three raised-edge, three smooth-fading, and three shallow but taller basin designs, as well as a suspended version and three new built-in models. Their antibacterial aliglaze+ enamel eliminates up to 99.9% of bacteria and is wear and abrasion-resistant, emphasizing hygiene, water-saving, easy cleaning, and noise reduction.

🏨 Turin City Centre joined the BWH Hotels Italia & Malta network as a Sure Hotel by Best Western. Owners Fabio Borio and Gabriela Cristiani express their enthusiasm for the collaboration. The hotel, situated in a historical building from the 1800s, is located near Porta Nuova station in Turin, featuring 56 rooms and a meeting room for up to 40 people. BWH Hotels Italia & Malta now boasts 7 establishments in central Turin, enhancing traveler support and prestigious locations.