Starwood Hotels & Resorts Debuts First St. Regis Hotel in Florence, Italy

Originally designed in 1432 by Filippo Brunelleschi, the architect of& the Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, the Grand Hotel was the first luxury& hotel in Florence and is considered to be one of the most significant& buildings in the city for its artistic and historical value.
 
"As part of Starwood's strategy to strengthen our brand portfolio in& Europe, Africa and Middle East, we are investing more than $100 million& dollars to renovate and restore some of our most magnificent hotels,"& said Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa& and Middle East. "St. Regis Hotels & Resorts exemplify luxury, elegance& and impeccable service. The re-opening of this historic building as a& St. Regis Hotel is the perfect addition to the brand's sophisticated& portfolio."
 

"2011 marks a moment of unprecedented growth for St. Regis which will& unveil a total of 10 new and restored hotels and resorts in the next six& months, the most the brand has opened in one year since the founding of& The St. Regis(R) New York in 1904," said Paul James, Global Brand Leader& St. Regis and The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts. "We are thrilled& to bring St. Regis to Florence as it was one of the first stops of the& original Grand Tour cities, and to this day, it continues to be one of& the most significant cultural cities in the world."
 
The St. Regis Florence features 81 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and& 19 suites, including a spectacular designer suite by Bottega Veneta.& Reflecting Florence's rich artistic heritage, all the hotel's guest& rooms and suites feature individually hand carved gold leaf plaques& including one of three different color palettes - Medici, Florentine and& Renaissance. With each design concept offering a unique selection of& custom designed furniture, paintings, frescos and crystal chandeliers,& the hotel creates a sophisticated sense of relaxed opulence. In honor of& Florence and its traditions, every guest room and suite is named after& noted Italian artists, benefactors and nobility. The restoration& celebrates Florentine history and culture using authentic local& artisans, product and design elements including custom hand painted& Tuscan and Florentine landscapes in every guest room, historic Italian& engravings as well as decorative antiques discerningly placed throughout& the hotel.
 
Designed by Bottega Veneta Creative Director, Tomas Maier, the Bottega& Veneta suite is a unique and expansive environment created for those who& appreciate quiet luxury, unparalleled service, and a refined& sensibility. The palette of the one-of-a-kind suite is serene and& sophisticated, featuring muted neutrals that create a calm, cool effect.& The suite is utterly unique, furnished with an inspired mix of pieces& from the Bottega Veneta furniture collection, with characteristic& beauty, intelligence and attention to detail. Objects drawn from the& Bottega Veneta home collection add elegance and versatility to the suite.
 
The St. Regis Florence also features what is expected to be one of the& most magnificent restaurant and bar lounges in the city. Etichetta& Pinchiorri, by the acclaimed three Michelin star restaurant Enoteca& Pinchiorri in Florence, offers a truly innovative epicurean culinary& experience combining a prestigious wine list with sophisticated culinary& creations. The restaurant interiors feature picturesque glassed art& ceilings dating back to the 19th century and a spectacular hand-blown& Murano glass chandelier.
 
Situated in the heart of the city, The St. Regis Florence is the perfect& location to experience Tuscany's timeless attractions. The hotel's& inspiring and romantic location on the Piazza Ognissanti, overlooking& the Arno river, offers one of the most enchanting views of the city over& the churches, the hills and the belltowers of the Florence's Oltrarno& with Ponte Vecchio as background.
 
The outdoor library terrace, with views of the Church and Piazza& Ognissanti, is the perfect place to join the Italian ritual of "aperitivo"& and admire the local's Bella Figura walking along the Lungarno.& For private dining and functions, the hotel offers a majestic ballroom& on the mezzanine, or for smaller functions the intimate "Cantinetta", a& 15th century brick vaulted cellar designed for those who love fine wines& paired with original Tuscany flavors.
 
The St. Regis Florence is also the first to feature Iridium^SM& Spa Suites in Europe, allowing guests to renew and refresh mind, body& and spirit with a variety of spa treatments. The Iridium Spa Suites& features three luxurious and spacious spa suites complete with white and& grey Florentine marble enriched with gold and silver walls and custom& designed mosaics. Two of the three suites feature circular& chromo-therapy Jacuzzi tubs and double beds, perfect for couple massages& and treatments.
 
Following in the tradition of the legendary St. Regis New York, The St.& Regis Florence will feature the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels& including the signature St. Regis Butler Service, bespoke guest& experiences and luxury accommodations tailored to meet global& travellers' needs. Trained in the English tradition, the butlers provide& ever-present yet unobtrusive service: anticipating guest needs and& customizing each guest's stay according to his or her specific tastes& and preferences.

Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Reader Comments:

Be the first to leave a comment for this article

Tweet