25hours debuts in Italy with Florence opening
25hours Hotels has made its debut in Italy with the opening of a 171-room bolthole in Florence.
Unveiled on the 700th anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri, 25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino is designed around the theme of Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’, which has been playfully reinterpreted by Milanese interior designer Paola Navone.
The journey through the medieval masterpiece begins at reception: should you spend the night in heavenly paradise or in blazing hell? Guests can choose for themselves where they would like to sleep, with the rooms divided into the two styles of Inferno and Paradiso – the former couples intense red with velvet curtains and black bed linen, whilst the latter pairs cloud-white retreats with ethereal blue accents.
The eccentric style of the designer and her team runs through all areas of the hotel. In some parts, it’s easy for guests to imagine they’re in an amusement park; visitors won’t come across special effects, monsters or ghosts, but rather an original selection of vintage furniture sourced from markets and traditional craft businesses from all over the world. Many of the pieces are reproductions of previous designs from the studio, with several elements – such as the tableware used in the San Paolino restaurant – specially designed for 25hours.
What is also striking about the interior design is the diverse mix of materials; marble and mosaic, terracotta and metal, mirrorsand wood or ceramics and glass come together to create a harmonious composition. Navone draws inspiration from her many travels, placing great value on the artisanal traditions of the countries she has visited, coupled with modern influences from the fields of photography, theatre, cinema and art. As such, 25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino forms a colourful potpourri of the experiences she has amassed, familiar design classics and new creative ideas.
The hotel of contrasts is overseen by General Manager Bart Spoorenberg, a native Dutchman who has lived in Italy for over 20 years following a career that took him all over the world to America, the UK, France and the Benelux countries. His roles have included General Manager of Hotel Romazzino on the Costa Smeralda, the Salviatino Collection in Fiesole and Castello di Casole in Tuscany. Thanks to his various posts in Italy, Spoorenberg speaks fluent Italian and is very familiar with Florence, where he has resided since 2011.
The implementation of the hotel project was made possible through a collaboration between investor and project developer Art-Invest Real Estate, new owners Invesco Real Estate and 25hours Hotels as business operator. The total investment cost for the restoration and redesign of the property amounted to over €100 million.
