Aperture

🍕 "Baccio e i gradini" opened in Rome's Aventino district at the end of 2021, and after 3 years it has become a staple for pizza enthusiasts. Led by Giovanni Lombardi, the pizzeria features Neapolitan-inspired dough with a 36-48 hour fermentation and 72-75% hydration, cooked at 410 degrees for about 2 minutes. The menu includes 6 Margherita variations, classic pizzas, and creative "pizze di Baccio," alongside a new wine list of about 25 labels, priced at 24-32 euros, and a selection of fried delicacies like the signature "Gradini." Founder Fabio Spada also recently opened “Emilio Osteria di Mare” in the same neighborhood.

🏠 Sebastien Bazin, at ILTM, announced Accor's focus on the lifestyle segment by 2025, accelerating Ennismore's global expansion. Gaurav Bhushan, co-CEO of Ennismore, mentioned a significant year of openings in 2024, including the groundbreaking Delano Dubai. In 2025, Ennismore will enter Australia with Hyde, Mondrian, and 25hours; Ireland with The Hoxton Dublin; SLS in Europe; and Mama Shelter in Asia. Notable openings include Mondrian Gold Coast (Australia's first), SLS Playa Mujeres (Mexico), Delano Miami Beach (USA), SLS Barcelona (Spain), Mama Shelter Zurich (Switzerland), and multiple Rixos hotels in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, including the Rixos Montaza Alexandria and Mondrian Abu Dhabi.

✈ Lufthansa reopened its renovated Senator and Business Lounge at London Heathrow Airport, Terminal 2, which is their largest outside Germany at 1600 sqm. Operating daily from 04:15 to 22:00, the lounge can accommodate up to 350 passengers. It features an improved design with upgraded flooring, lighting, and seating, a panoramic view of the runway, and enhanced workspaces with privacy panels. Sven Thaler highlighted over 360 weekly Lufthansa Group flights at Heathrow as part of their commitment to premium customer experience. The lounge offers services such as a buffet, free newspapers, Wi-Fi, a printer, copier, TV, and lockers.

🏠 Six Senses initiated a major restoration of five historic buildings from 1909 in Tel Aviv's luxury White City district, known for the world's highest concentration of Bauhaus buildings. These will be combined with a new 42-story tower to create Six Senses Tel Aviv, featuring 140 rooms and suites plus 55 luxury residences. Set to open late this year, the project is overseen by Preservation Architects Amnon Bar-Or Architects and Yaron Gal, designed by Rani Ziss, and interiors by Orly Shrem. This is the brand's second Israel location after Six Senses Shaharut opened in 2021.

🏖 inViaggi expands inClub family for summer 2025 with three new openings: inClub Capo Peloro in Sicily, inClub Messapia Hotel & Resort in Puglia, and inClub Falkensteiner Funimation Garden in Calabria. Alberto Giorgio, General Manager of inViaggi, highlights exquisite facilities, personalized services, and travel experience freedom. Each club offers unique experiences: Sicilian culture and adventures, Salento's heart relaxation, and dynamic holidays at Sant'Eufemia Bay with a 5,000 sqm pool.

🌃 Tunisia and Puglia are the latest additions to Futura Vacanze's destinations, featuring the Futura Club Caribbean World Mahdia and Futura Club Albatros in Marina di Lesina. These follow the newly announced Futura Club Porto Kaleo in Calabria, bringing the total to 21 Futura Clubs. The new Tunisian property responds to increased demand, while the Puglian resort diversifies offerings in the Gargano region, aiming to boost package deals with train travel, as explained by Commercial Director Belinda Coccia.

🏡 a&o Hostels expands in Europe with the acquisition of a&o Hostels Heidelberg, marking its 43rd property on the continent and 26th in Germany. The company opened four hostels in six months, including locations in Brighton (August 2024), Antwerp (October 2024), and Brussels (December, year unspecified). Oliver Winter, CEO of a&o Hostels, aims to meet growth targets for 2024 and beyond. Heidelberg, with a population of 162,000 and 14 million annual visitors, now hosts the new facility which will offer 118 rooms and 320 beds, set to open by the end of 2026 with construction beginning in spring 2025. The property on Speyerer Strasse 5 was acquired from BHB Heidelberg GmbH. Additionally, a&o Firenze Campo di Marte in Florence, Italy opened in February of the current year, becoming the second a&o Hostels location in Italy with 121 rooms.

🏡 Evok Collection expands beyond France with Brach Madrid, opening a new hotel in Spain, Madrid. The hotel, designed by Jerónimo Pedro Mathet Rodriguez, is housed in a historic building constructed from 1919 to 1922, located at Gran Via no. 20. Brach Madrid, featuring a seven-story structure with a belvedere, stands where Victor Hugo lived from 1811 to 1812. The building served as the home of the Alfonsos family and their photojournalism labs from 1939 to 1990. Philippe Starck spearheaded the renovation and restyling, resulting in 57 rooms including 3 suites, a restaurant, a bar, a pastry shop, and a spa named La Capsule.

🏖️ Autograph Collection Hotels by Marriott launches The Isolano in Cres, Croatia, on March 13, boasting 49 rooms and suites, a sea-view restaurant, two outdoor heated pools, wellness offerings, and direct beach access. Designed by interior designer Kristina Zanic, it reflects Mediterranean life with local Brac island stone architecture. Features include private balconies, locally crafted wooden benches, smart tech, and five infinity rooms with pool access. Unique experiences like mixology workshops are available.

🎓 "The Gentleman’s Journey", launched in January 2025, is a project by Rocco Forte's Hotel de la Ville and Rocco Forte House in Rome, guiding guests through Rome's iconic boutiques and artisan traditions. Curated by style expert Giorgio Giangiulio, the journey features historic spots like Antica Barberia da Peppino, Sartoria Tommy & Giulio Caraceni, Marini Calzature (est. 1899), Brioni, Schostal (over 150 years), Cruciani & Bella, and Campomarzio70 for personalized fragrance consultations.