Historia de diseño

We have thirteen very different hotels in the Group, from the intimate, fashion-focused Hotel Savoy in Florence to the ‘grand old lady’ that is The Charles Hotel in Munich. But thanks to Olga Polizzi, our co-founder and design director, all of them combine their individual character with an irresistible sense of relaxed elegance.

Look carefully and you’ll find our design ethic has signature features. These reflect our passions and Italian sense of style, refined and cherished over four generations in hospitality.

Beautiful, locally made furniture adds individuality to every hotel. A refusal to compromise on craftsmanship or materials creates a sense of indulgence for guests. And a deep-rooted belief that design is about comfort as well as style, makes our hotels easy to embrace – and hard to leave.

Perhaps more than anything, our design approach springs from our belief that designing a hotel is like creating a home: it’s a lifetime project. In the same way that the exterior of a hotel weathers and changes with the seasons, so the interior evolves, too.

Thanks to Mrs Polizzi and her team who are continually curating art, furniture and fabrics, our hotel interiors are never static. They’re enchanting places, created over time, layer by layer. So returning guests always have something new or surprising to discover.

“I might find a hanging at the Decorative Arts Fayre in Battersea; a vase from the Sablon area of Brussels. The art is in combining pieces, colours and materials to keep enhancing the spirit of the space. It’s easy for something to jar or break up the rhythm of the design. A light touch is the key.” Olga Polizzi

As well as our Italian heritage, we often bring a whimsical or mischievous quality to our spaces, but our design is never overwhelming. Its subtle sophistication creates a lasting warmth between our guests and the hotels that become their homes while they are with us.