khabah

Newly signed: the 240-room Visconti Palace in the Prati district will undergo a total renovation and be rebranded upon its completion by the end of 2016 as Le Méridien Visconti Rome. This is a property I can't wait for - 15 minute walk from the Spanish Steps, 25 minute walk from the Vatican and in the middle of it all?

Bring it on.

- K

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Original release in Italian; official announcement imminent.

Source: http://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/...uppo-Toti.html

3rdworldresident

Thanks for this great news.

Keyser

this is great....hope it opens on time....

UKTraveller4Fun

In a way off topic, but would a property close go through the cost of branding itself a LeMeridien unless it had assurances that the brand wasn't going to be closed by the incoming Marriott?

khabah

For all intents and purposes for the time being, Starwood is Starwood and Marriott is Marriott. Both companies will continue to develop their hotel portfolios and even when the merger closes in a few months, Marriott is absorbing every brand and will keep them all for at least a while. Marriott's CEO Arne Sorenson said that the plan is to keep most, if not all Starwood brands alive in Marriott's portfolio as they are strong names and will help diversify and secure the company's offerings, and Marriott will continue to grow the Starwood portfolio. For all we know, Le Méridien is here to stay.

khabah

SanDiego1K

This sounds really interesting. It's hard to find a solid hotel in the center of the city, and even harder to find one where I can use points.

Do you have the address?

giddyforpoints

can't find the potential address either but this is great news!

Medved

Via Federico Cesi 37, Vatican City - Prati, 00193 Rome, Italy
Judging pictures, I hope it is Cat 5. Looks like very Meridianish, not a grand dame of Excelsior or St. Regis scale.
Location is not bad -- lots of things within 10-20 minutes walk.

SanDiego1K

Thank you. It's the other side of the river from the Spanish Steps, roughly halfway between the Steps and the Vatican.

khabah

Official announcement went live yesterday: the hotel is joining SPG by the end of the year once top-to-bottom renovations wrap up to bring the hotel up to Le Méridien brand standards.

Stoked to have such a wonderful new option in Rome. I'm sure the renovations will be spot on.

khabah

***

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Expands Le Meridien Footprint in Europe with Milestone Signing in Rome
Le Méridien Visconti Rome to Open By End of 2016, Unlocking the Destination through The Eternal City’s Cultural Heritage, Historic Architecture and Renowned Cuisine

ROME -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that Le Méridien will open in Rome, marking the brand's re-entry into Italy. Owned and managed by the Toti Group, Le Méridien Visconti Rome is scheduled to debut by the end of this year following an extensive renovation and conversion from the independent Visconti Palace Hotel.

"We look forward to establishing a long-term and mutually beneficial relationship with the Toti Group and thank them for putting their trust in Starwood," said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. "We are excited to re-introduce Le Méridien into Italy and unlock 'The Eternal City' and its rich culture for our guests and curious-minded travelers."

Le Méridien Visconti Rome is ideally located in the Prati district near the Vatican, Castel Sant' angelo and one of Rome's premier shopping streets, Via Cola di Rienzo. The hotel is also within walking distance from Piazza di Spagna, Piazza del Popolo, Villa Borghese, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon.

"We are certain that working with Starwood, which is known for its indisputable experience and capability, will strengthen our know-how in the field of hotel management. Le Méridien Visconti Rome will become a leading example for the hotel industry in Rome, which is a strategic industry for the economic recovery of our country," said Pierluigi Toti, President of Silvano Toti S.p.A., the Financial Holdingcompany of the Toti Group.

Guests will experience signature amenities from the Parisian-born brand including Le Méridien Hub, an innovative reinterpretation of the traditional hotel lobby into an experiential space for creative and curious minded guests to converse, socialize and exchange. The signature Latitude Bar will serve coffee specialties from the brand's long term partner, Illy, as well as light bites by day and Sparkling aperitifs by night.

Each of the 240 modern guest rooms and suites will offer stunning mid-century modern design with spacious work spaces and subtle technology. Bringing the romance of Rome to life, the hotel's curated culinary offerings will include a stunning rooftop terrace, all-day dining restaurant, breakfast room and bar. The fitness centre will provide guests the opportunity to experience an invigorating workout.

"Italy continues to be a key market for Starwood and a much sought-after destination," said Karl Bieberach, Vice President, Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe. "Our Le Méridien brand is an attractive conversion choice for owners and developers, and the brand is a perfect fit for one of the most inspiring and captivating cities in the world."

Starwood has a long history of operations in Italy, with 23 hotels in the country today under five of its design-led brands: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin and Four Points by Sheraton. This new hotel will join four other Starwood hotels in Rome, including The St. Regis Rome, The Westin Excelsior Rome, Sheraton Roma Hotel & Conference Center and Sheraton Golf Parco de'Medici.

Source: http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/g...0/4074478.html

UASPG

They had also originally said that it was a merger of the 2 companies, then, a few weeks ago, Marriott CEO stated: "as you know, we acquired Starwood hotels" in an interview (already giving up on being cautious on the feelings of the Starwood's side).

I think that the point on the cost of branding is valid and that the LM Rome owner(s) must have discussed this with Marriott, either directly or indirectly.

Since "most" Starwood brands are supposed to stay with Marriott, this means that some will disappear or/and that other(s) will be sold.
Le Meridien became a strong brand and its European theme might be tempting for a European hotel chain that recently went into a buying spree. I agree that 'Le Meridien' brand is here to stay, but we will have to wait to see if it will remain under the Marriott's umbrella.

"Tribute Portfolio" is one brand that is widely believed to disappear, as it seems to be the replica of Marriott's "Autograph Collection". But, for the time being, Starwood keeps signing in properties for that brand.

JBD

Regarding its location, if your interest is mainly the Vatican, than it's terrific.

If you intend to visit the rest of the main sites in the Centro Storico, the location is on par with the Excelsior and the St. Regis. All three of these properties are closer to the northern periphery of the area within the Aurelian Walls than Rome's center.

[Wishful thinking/] If only Le Méridien took over the Grand de la Minerve instead. Now that would literally be a centrally located hotel! (It's in the piazza just behind the Pantheon). Or if it had taken over the Hotel Forum and gave that a thorough overhaul! While more on the southern end than central, its rooms and rooftop restaurant have such breath taking views of the Roman forum, Palatine and Capitoline. And you'd be right in Monti. That would have been great. Sigh. [/Wishes Off]

SanDiego1K

Or the Crowne Plaza that was behind the Pantheon. I used to regularly stay there when in Rome on business and thought it a perfect location.

JBD

The Grand de le Minerve used to be the Crowne Plaza.

Here it is on Google:
https://goo.gl/maps/j2WJ23hFNZ12

I've been hoping for years that Starwood or Hilton would take it over! Its location truly is perfect.

SanDiego1K

We are united in our wishes. I won't say more for fear of taking this thread even further off topic, except to say I'd return to Rome more frequently with a Starwood property in such an idyllic location.