Latest news with #RoccoForteHotels
Forbes
8 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Rocco Forte's Retreat In Sicily: Verdura Resort
When it comes to choosing a destination for his own family holiday, Sir Rocco Forte, Executive Chairman of London-based luxury hotel company, Rocco Forte Hotels, can certainly go anywhere in the world he desires. Yet each summer, he returns to the same cherished place: Verdura Resort, a five-star haven nestled on Sicily's southwestern coast. Accompanied by his wife, children (all of whom are involved in the business), and their families, Forte finds both joy and rejuvenation at the resort he personally envisioned—and brought to life. Verdura Resort Reflects Its Sicilian Location Tucked away on the coast of Sciacca, approximately 80 miles from Palermo, Verdura Resort stands out as one of the few properties in the Rocco Forte Hotels collection that was designed and developed entirely from the ground up by the Rocco Forte team. Every detail reflects company's signature blend of classic elegance, contemporary style and impeccable attention to detail. Verdura is a serene waterfront sanctuary on the Mediterranean amidst 230 hectares of land dotted with olive groves and citrus orchards. The fragrant scent of orange blossom fills the air. Automobiles are not used on the property as guests either rent a golf cart or use a complimentary bicycle to get around the resort. As with all Rocco Forte properties, Verdura Resort reflects the company's deep commitment to authenticity and offers something rare: a true sense of immersion in place. Every detail at the resort reflects its Sicilian location. The architecture and design incorporate local materials, textures, and colors. Cuisine celebrates Sicilian tradition at Verdura's seven bars and restaurants that showcase seasonal and locally grown produce and regional wines. Most of the staff hail from nearby towns, adding warmth and character to the guest experience. 'We pride ourselves on creating properties that are both luxurious and deeply connected to their surroundings,' explains Forte. 'At Verdura, that philosophy comes through in everything—from the food to the service to the smallest design touch.' Verdura Resort: A Mediterranean Masterpiece While many properties in Sir Rocco's prestigious portfolio—Hotel de Russie in Rome, Villa Igiea in Palermo, Brown's Hotel in London, The Balmoral in Edinburgh, and Hotel Savoy in Florence, to name only a few—are housed in historic and architecturally significant buildings, Verdura is one of the exceptions. A ground-up passion project, it was born entirely of Forte's ambition to craft a luxury resort that features golf in addition to many other activities and amenities. 'I wanted to build a golf resort in the Mediterranean,' recalls Forte. 'There are plenty of world-class golf resorts in the United States, but very few at that level in Europe. So I found a piece of land in Sicily and built one myself.' Developing Verdura, however, was far from easy but the hotelier was determined to see his vision come to fruition. 'This place had a very difficult birth, which started with buying the land,' recalls Forte, who needed to convince 72 different land owners to sell their parcels. Remarkably, they all agreed to sell at the same price. 'Once I managed to do that, I thought, all my troubles were over,' he adds. 'But then I had to get all of the planning permissions which was not easy.' The project was temporarily paused by an environmental group, adds Forte. Verdura Resort's World-Class Golf Building a world-class golf resort on an island where golf is almost unheard of was no easy task. To make his vision a reality, Forte enlisted famed American golf architect, Carl Philipps to design two 18-hole championship-length courses and a 9-hole par 3 course. Forte had one requirement: the course designs needed to respect the land and its natural beauty. In order to construct the golf courses, heavy equipment had to be brought from the mainland. Local workers were taught how to build the courses and also how to maintain them. 'Everybody had a learning curve because they didn't know anything about golf beforehand,' says Alessandro Maria Cardini, Golf Manager at Verdura Resort. 'There was a double task of having to teach the people how to manage golf and how to understand the golf. It really was an incredible adventure.' As grass is not native on the island, the courses were seeded with Bermuda grass—selected because it can handle extreme temperatures during the hot Sicilian summers. But while the two courses feature the same types of grass, they are very different and display Phillips' range of ability, points out Alessandro. The West Course (also known as the Shore Course) plays wider and longer than the East course. It features expansive fairways and finishes dramatically with five holes (14 through 18) situated alongside the sea.. The East Course, a links course, is more intimate in feel, and winds through inland terrain offering a contrasting experience to the West Course. Both feature Bermuda grass, well-suited to the island's warm climate, and fast greens with Stimp readings between 10 and 11. Occasionally, wind conditions can make certain pin positions on both courses considerably challenging. Verdura recently opened a new golf clubhouse complete with a pro shop and lounge where guests can relax after a round. Golf is popular at the resort especially during the cooler months of March, April, May, October and November, with clinics and other programs offered to guests during that time. The summer months of June, July and August are more family-oriented. The courses are well-regarded and highly ranked by Golf Digest, and Golf World Magazine among others. The resort has hosted professional tournaments including the Sicilian Open and the Rocco Forte Open. Verdura Resort Is For Guests Of All Ages In addition to golf, Verdura, which officially opened in 2009, features a wide range of activities and programs for guests of all ages. Its 4,000-square-meter Irene Forte signature spa has eleven treatment rooms, four outdoor thalassotherapy pools of varying sizes, temperatures and salinity levels, an indoor infinity pool, hammams, saunas and a Technogym-outfitted fitness center. The spa features the award-winning Irene Forte skincare line, nutrient-rich natural and organic handmade products inspired by Sicily. A tennis center features a pro shop, six clay tennis courts, Pickleball and Padel courts. At Verdura's beach, guests can relax in private cabanas or partake in such water sports as diving, standup paddle boarding, jet surfing and flyboard. The resort welcomes guests of all ages and features a Kids Club located in its own facility that offers programs geared toward young guests. Here, kids can take cooking classes in a kid-sized kitchen, learn how to do different science experiments in a laboratory or swim in a swimming pool designed just for them. Children up to 12 years of age receive special benefits such as discounts toward food and beverage services. Verdura's popular Academies with the Stars are especially popular among guests as it features weekly workshops run by renowned coaches and sporting stars. Guests, both young and old, have the opportunity to enroll in its soccer, basketball, rugby, tennis, Padel, swimming, karate and even rhythmatic gymnastics taught by professionals. For example, Verdura invites Italian football hero Gianluca Zambrotta and a group of professionals to the resort to hold several sessions in which junior players, aged six to fourteen, can build their confidence on and off the pitch with a mixture of games, friendly matches and technical workshops. Whether it is for a family getaway or a luxurious golfing holiday, Verdura's combination of natural beauty, world-class golf, unspoiled beaches, crystal blue water, and 300 days of sunshine each year is unsurpassed. It is little wonder this five star resort continues to top the list of Europe's finest retreats. Verdura Resort's Guest Accommodations And Owners Villas Every one of Verdura's thoughtfully designed accommodations, including guest rooms and suites, have uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean with many also enjoying views of the golf course. There are a wide variety of suites, including ones with expansive terraces, kitchens and living rooms while a few have a private swimming pool. Every room was recently renovated and offers elegant and comfortable furnishings, with large luxurious bathrooms. Verdura recently developed expansive three and four bedroom luxury turnkey villas on site that are available for purchase and also for guests to book as rentals. Each villa is exquisitely decorated and features its own swimming pool, full kitchen and laundry room. Owners and guests renting the villas can request that the resort's concierge service stock refrigerators with specific food and beverages in advance of their arrival. The resort will also provide a private chef, upon advance request, and as well as provide daily housekeeping and all maintenance of the villa. Homeowners have full access to the amenities offered by the resort, including the hotel's swimming pool, children's programming tennis courts, spa facilities, fitness center. Homeowners are given access to the golf courses and the practice facilities throughout the year, including when the resort shuts down during the off-season. Every villa comes with its own golf cart, as cars are not permitted to be driven on the property (nor are they needed onsite). Homeowners can enroll in a rental program in which the resort will handle all aspects of the rental, from maintenance and cleaning, in exchange for a portion of the rental income. Villas are priced from €3,013,500. Interested owners can also choose to build a customized home with four to seven bedrooms. Getting To Verdura Resort Located 115 kilometers from Palermo Airport, Verdura is easily accessible yet worlds away from the bustle of city life. It is a place where tradition meets luxury, and where one man's vision has created a destination now treasured by discerning travelers from around the world. 'Sicily is one of the most beautiful regions in Italy and it has such a unique history,' says Giulio Polegato, General Manager at Verdura. 'It offers so much from art to food and wine. But one of its best attributes is the warm character of the people who come from this region. This resort reflects all of these aspects.' Most guest stays at Verdura Resort are four or five days in length and they prefer to eat most, if not all, meals on the property. Some guests pair a visit to Verdura Resort with a visit at another Rocco Forte hotel, such as the stunning Villa Igiea, a seaside boutique hotel located in a 19th century palazzo on the Gulf of Palermo and Hotel de Russie, one of the most luxurious and prestigious hotels in Rome that is located between the Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. Several airlines offer direct service from Rome's Fiumicino Airport to Palermo's Falcone Borsellino Airport in Sicily, which is the closest airport to Verdura Resort. Delta Airlines offers seasonal non-stop service between JFK Airport in New York, N.Y. and Palermo.
Travel Weekly
3 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Commission tracker Sion expands supplier partnerships
Travel advisor technology provider Sion is expanding to work with suppliers with the end goal of getting travel advisors commission payments sooner. Sion, a travel advisor-founded company that tracks and recovers commission, this week announced a partnership with Rocco Forte Hotels. With the partnership, Rocco Forte's commissions will be paid in days, Sion said in a release, at "a significant reduction in cost compared to the industry norm. The technology company has also partnered with other suppliers in the process of going live with Sion, including SHA Wellness and Queen of Clubs. By using its technology, suppliers will better be able to manage and distribute commissions, Sion said. That will likely boost direct bookings and strengthen relationships with the travel agency community. "The travel industry has been waiting for this shift," Sion CEO Irving Betesh said. "Sion has already transformed the way travel agents track and manage their commissions. Now, we're doing the same for hotels, giving them the tools to manage and process commissions faster and more efficiently, because when travel agents are paid on time, everyone wins." Jan Arnold, senior vice president of sales at Rocco Forte Hotels, said in addition to streamlining commission payments, the partnership with Sion enables the hotel company to have "complete transparency" with travel advisors. "The travel community plays an integral role in Rocco Forte's commercial success story," Arnold said. "Commission payments are an important element of our partnership, and we continuously strive to improve. When travel agents are happy, they book more, and that benefits everyone." Sion said it expects more hotel groups to sign on in the future.
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Daily Record
Scotland's 'best family friendly' hotels named for summer getaway with the kids
Accommodation in the Borders and the Highlands were singled out. Scotland's "best family friendly hotels" have been named. From the Scottish Borders to the Highlands, hotels up and down the country were singled out. On Thursday, July 24, Condé Nast Traveller published a list of the top hotels in the country for a family getaway. In total, eight accommodation options are featured on the roundup. Among the hotels that were singled out by the experts is The Balmoral Hotel on Princes Street in Edinburgh. Owned by Rocco Forte Hotels, the hotel is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Scottish capital. The Balmoral features a number of rooms and suites specifically catered towards families. According to the Rocco Forte Hotels website, it also offers personalised children's passports at check-in, welcome treats, child-sized bathrobes, slippers and animal cuddly toys. The hotel is also home to the Four AA Rosette restaurant Number One, which specialises in modern Scottish cuisine. Additionally, The Balmoral has a spa where parents can enjoy a wide selection of treatments. Condé Nast Traveller wrote: "Rocco Forte's flagship sits inside an aptly big-boned Victorian building with Gothic accents, putting an elegantly modern take on tradition. Despite the grandeur and Palm Court afternoon tea antics, little ones are welcome to clamber the dramatic staircase, jump on the sumptuous beds in the family rooms and suites and press their noses up against arched Victorian windows for views of the castle. "There's no need to hassle reception for cot sheets, bibs or slip-proof bathmats; true to Rocco Forte form, the Balmoral drums up the necessary (swishy) kit according to age groups before you've even tumbled into your room. Parents can expect all the tot accoutrements (0-3), including cots, bottle warmers, highchairs and monitors." Elsewhere, the experts also selected the Schloss Roxburghe in the Scottish Borders as one of the country's top destinations for a family getaway. Situated a short distance from the market town of Kelso, the historic estate is home to both a luxury hotel and a number of self-catering cottages. The hotel accommodation at the Schloss Roxburghe is comprised of 78 rooms and suites, 20 of which are housed in the historic manor house and have been individually designed. In addition, more than 51 cottages are dotted throughout the extensive estate. The experts stated: "Lairding over the Scottish Borders' watercolour countryside, Schloss Roxburgh draws in as many families as it does golfers, a wee hour-and-a-half drive from Edinburgh airport. They come for the privacy of the self-catered cottages, with all the hotel facilities back at Baronial base, but also for ex-Norland Nanny-run 4-12 Kio Kids club (open Wednesday to Sunday), as well as the reams of estate activities (fly fishing, archery, mountain biking, clay shooting). "What it lacks for in design pitch, (Scottish hotels have a habit of losing themselves in a bright, brassy hinterland between traditional and contemporary) it makes up for with a stellar spa with two family-swim windows in the morning and afternoon and a new driving range with Toptracer facilities for supervised children, where they can master their golf swing." Moving further north, another of the best family-friendly hotels in Scotland, according to Condé Nast Traveller, is The Torridon in the Scottish Highlands. The five-star boutique resort is located in Wester Ross, around a 90-minute drive from the city of Inverness. The Torridon's hotel rooms honour Scottish heritage and feature opulent textiles and bright colours, while activities on offer include falconry, stargazing, and sea kayaking. The resort was applauded by Condé Nast Traveller for its various family-friendly walks and the kids menu at its on-site Bo & Muc Brasserie restaurant. Other hotels featured on Condé Nast Traveller's roundup include The Fife Arms in Braemar and Cameron House by Loch Lomond. The former was noted for its welcoming atmosphere and activities such as pony trekking and wildlife walks, while Cameron House was praised for its castle visits and loch water sports. The full list of the best family-friendly hotels in Scotland can be found on the Condé Nast Traveller website.
Times
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Five supreme spots for a cream tea in Scotland
Afternoon tea is my happy place, especially if it's in a grand hotel. The velvet chairs, the delicate chime of silver on china, the pastries, finger sandwiches and fresh pots of tea — I'm obsessed. Whether you're celebrating or simply escaping normal life, these five splendid spots all do afternoon teas to remember. Team Murray's bouji country house hotel has been given a boutique makeover, and it now does a refined afternoon tea in its light-filled Glasshouse restaurant. A selection of savoury bites, freshly baked scones and indulgent cakes are complemented by an extensive range of Canton teas or Alfie's coffee. Details: £47.50 + £15 for champagne, • New walls, please! Andy Murray's hotel gets a funky makeover Afternoon tea at the Balmoral's Palm Court is a refined Edinburgh tradition. Beneath a striking glass dome and Venetian chandelier, guests enjoy a classic selection of finger sandwiches, warm scones and beautifully crafted pastries, all served with a wide range of premium loose-leaf teas. Service is attentive and elegant, matching the grandeur of the setting. Located on Princes Street, it's a serene escape in the heart of the city. Details: £67.50 + £15 for champagne, Nestled on the banks of Loch Lomond, the Scots baronial mansion hotel's opulent afternoon tea is taken in truly regal surroundings. Served n the elegant chinoiserie-style drawing room, tea comes with uninterrupted views across the loch and landscaped gardens. The menu includes dainty finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, and exquisite patisserie. With more than 20 loose-leaf teas and flawless service, it's a tranquil, luxurious escape steeped in Scottish grandeur. Details: £50 + £20 for champagne, • Cameron House review: how all family hotels should be Step into timeless elegance with afternoon tea served in the stunning Glendevon room, with sweeping views up the glen to the Ochil Hills. Guests are treated to a refined selection of delicate finger sandwiches, handmade pastries, fluffy scones with clotted cream and jam, and an extensive list of teas. As with everything at Gleneagles, tea is impeccably presented, with attentive service that strikes the ideal balance between warmth and discretion. Details: £75 + £17 for champagne, For views alone afternoon tea at this famous East Neuk hotel is hard to beat, served in the conservatory overlooking the 17th hole and West Sands Beach. The menu features delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and an array of handcrafted pastries, accompanied by a selection of premium teas. A children's afternoon tea is also available for £ £40 + £25 for Veuve Clicquot champagne,
Hospitality Net
03-06-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Charlotte Weatherall has been appointed General Manager at Corinthia London
Effective July 1, 2025, Charlotte assumes the role following her tenure as Director of Sales and Marketing at the hotel, where she has led a team to deliver outstanding financial results while enhancing the hotel's reputation for exceptional and memorable guest experiences. Charlotte brings over two decades of luxury hospitality experience across the UK and UAE. She has held senior roles at prestigious brands including Rocco Forte Hotels, Mandarin Oriental, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Langham.
