Hotel Principe di Savoia - Milan

No stranger to a host of glamorous stars past and present, The Dorchester Collection’s Hotel Principe de Savoia is seen as something of an institution in Milan. Since opening its doors in 1927, the hotel has been graced with the presence of Charlie Chaplin, Eva Peron, and Maria Callas, and more recently George Clooney, Elizabeth Taylor, and Elton John. The hotel was renovated and extended in the 1950s but has undergone more significant changes since the Dorchester Group has taken over. In June 2006 the owners embarked on a comprehensive refurbishment programme that has seen the remodelling of guestrooms and meeting areas, the addition of a Michelin-starred chef in the show kitchen of the Acanto restaurant, and the refurbishment of the Michael Stelea-designed Presidential Suite. More recent enhancements include restyling of the Imperial Suite by Celeste dell’Anna, and the addition of nine new Principe Suites by Francesca Basu. Public areas have also seen a dramatic transformation under the design direction of New York-based designer Thierry Despont. The lobby area has been transformed into Il Salotto with extensive structural work and a colour scheme inspired by Tuscany. “I wanted to make the lobby brighter, friendlier and more colourful,” explains Despont. “To do this we commissioned Italian craftsmen to paint over the panelling in light yellow and green hues, and introduced tinted mirrors that bounce off the light.”

The focal point of the refurbishment is the Giardino d’Inverno Bar, where Despont wanted to create a sense of arrival appropriate to the grandeur of the hotel whilst at the same time respecting its history and tradition. He retained original features such as marble and wood panelling, combining them with contemporary Italian design to strike a balance between classical and innovative styles. High-backed banquettes line the perimeter of the room, with studded dogtooth armchairs and amber upholstered stools providing further seating. The centrepiece of the room is a bespoke banquette that dramatically wraps around a grand piano. Overhead is a custom-made chandelier made of 3,000 pieces of Murano glass designed by American glass artist Robert du Grenier, famed for the redesign of the Statue of Liberty Torch. Despont has also added classical paintings by artists such as Luca Giordano, and the bar is a work of art in itself, sculpted from tinted crystals with a back-lit mirrored wall. The majority of furniture, both in the bar and throughout the hotel are the work of local artisans. “We wanted to use almost exclusively Italian fabrics, materials, artefacts and fixtures,” says Despont. “The fabrics are from Italian mills such as Bergamo, C&C Milano, Cortina Leather, and Rubelli, and the furniture is manufactured by Italian craftsmen.”

On completion, Despont’s vision has brought the Principe bar back to life making it once again a destination of its own in Milan.

Hotel Principe di Savoia
Piazza della Repubblica 17
20124 Milan, Italy
Tel: +39 02 6230 1
Web: www.hotelprincipedisavoia.com

Rooms 401 guestrooms including restyled Imperial Suite and nine new Principe Suites
Drinking Giardino d’Inverno Bar, Il Salotto
Dining Acanto Restaurant
Leisure Spa
Facilities 13 events spaces accommodating up to 1,000