Aperture

🏡 British luxury liner Queen Anne, operated by Cunard, docks in New York marking its North American market debut during its inaugural world voyage. The ship accommodates up to 3,000 passengers and houses over 4,300 artworks. Cunard President Katie McAlister remarks the event as a historic milestone, heralding a new era of luxury cruising and celebrating nearly two centuries of maritime excellence.

🏠 At the Barawards 2024, Habita79 won "Hotel Rivelazione dell'Anno" for Campania and The Roof Pompei secured a top ten spot for "Barcelò Bar Rivelazione dell’Anno". Riccardo Mantilacci, the General Manager of Habita79, expressed gratitude for the recognition. The event, in its tenth edition, had 600 venues and 530 professionals contending, with over 50,000 online votes. The Roof Pompei is among Italy's top 100 cocktail bars and has recently won Baritalia by Bargiornale in Campania.

🍕 Antica Pizzeria da Michele opens a new location at Via Muratori 15 in Milan's Porta Romana area, joining its existing Piazza della Repubblica venue. The pizzeria spans 250 sqm on two levels accommodating 90 people downstairs and offers a private loft area for special occasions. Including the dehors, the venue seats a total of 130 guests. Partner Stefano Iuliano highlights the choice for Porta Romana to serve both local residents and commuters. Open daily from 12:00 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 23:00.

🏡 In Italy, the 21 House of Stories Navigli, developed by Alessandro and Mauro Benetton, is a hybrid hospitality project near Darsena, Milan. It has expanded its presence in the city with its restaurant Domenica, which offers a creative twist on classic Italian dishes and signature drinks. The hotel also features I Mirador, a two-level venue with panoramic views of Milan, a mixology-focused bar, and sophisticated dining options, including seafood and a curated wine selection; it caters to both guests and the public.

🏢 Rome's Piazza dei Cinquecento, spanning the length of eight soccer fields, unveiled its extensive renovation by FS Italiane Group on January 14, 2025. The project, executed by Anas for the Giubileo 2025 under Commissioner Roberto Gualtieri, includes 80,000 sqm of upgraded surface with 30,000 sqm of marble, and new green areas totaling 10,000 sqm. The makeover features a 12,000 sqm reimagined bus terminal, an 8,000 sqm cobbled taxi stand, and improved pedestrian space. Nearly 91% complete, the central 9% will conclude by summer, ahead of schedule. The €45 million, 540-day renovation benefits visitors and commuters at Rome's primary train hub.

🎸 Palladium Hotel Group partnered with Hard Rock International to bring Hard Rock Hotels and Reverb Hotels to Saudi Arabia, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 to increase tourism's GDP contribution to 10%. Existing collaborations include Hard Rock hotels managed by Palladium in Ibiza, Marbella, and Tenerife. Upcoming projects: a 275-room Hard Rock Hotel in Algarve, Portugal, opening in summer 2026, a 394-room hotel in Malta set for October 2024, and a 1,001-room Hard Rock Genting Highlands in Malaysia, opening in 2027.

🏠 Leonardo Hotels acquired the 4-star Leonardo Boutique Hotel Rome Monti, managed by Castello SGR's Borgia Fund, enhancing its portfolio. Located near the Colosseo in Rome, the hotel spans 5,800 sqm with 80 rooms, a 180 sqm breakfast room, lounge bar, meeting rooms, and a wellness area. The chain, directed by Yoram Biton, aims to include nine Italian properties by 2025, targeting growth in the Italian market, emphasizing quality, innovation, and local heritage.

🏛 Ikos Resorts celebrates its 10th anniversary by debuting Ikos Kissamos in Crete in spring. Located 25 minutes from Chania Airport, near family-friendly beaches like Elafonisos, Falasarna, and Balos. In April, Ikos Olivia Halkidiki in Greece reopens with a new look, involving room refurbishment and facility upgrades, following Ikos Andalusia's 2024 expansion with new villas and four-bedroom penthouse suites.

🎭 The Borghese Contemporary Hotel in Rome, boasting a 97% annual occupancy rate in its first year, opened in July 2023. Managed by Director Marco Graziani, the boutique hotel with 24 rooms exceeded revenue goals. Guest reviews gave a 9.2/9.3 rating; 90% of client expectations were met, matching 5-star hotel sales averages. Looking ahead to 2025, projections show a 15% increase in leisure bookings and a 3-5% rise in corporate travel. The hotel, owned by Romeo Piperno, integrates art with its design, functioning as an art gallery.

🏦 Egnazia Ospitalità Italia, led by Aldo Melpignano, is recruiting hospitality talents for its Italian properties including Borgo Egnazia, Ostuni a Mare, Hotel Santavenere, and two in Cortina d’Ampezzo. In-person recruiting is on February 5, 2025, at Borgo Egnazia, with a virtual event on Zoom on February 7, 2025. Candidates must apply by January 26, 2025, and possess guest-oriented skills, communication abilities, and attention to detail for potential roles in upcoming 2025 openings.