On the luxurious and ultraluxury ranges, what we see all through the world isn’t just lavish facilities and impeccable service, however a dedication by the manufacturers, builders, homeowners and onsite groups to steward the area people, cherishing its previous whereas responsibly guiding its current for a greater future.

This ardour for tradition, for historical past, for the folks and for the those who give a property its sense of place is just not one thing that may be absolutely quantified in a monetary assertion, and but it’s exactly the rationale for why a lodge is among the greatest on the planet. Name it coronary heart; name it soul. This core dedication to stewardship is mirrored within the morale and demeanor of each crew member, in addition to within the unique experiences provided and, finally, the ADR that the lodge can command.

A quintessential instance of this virtuous circle is Six Senses Rome – the primary city property for this eco-wellness-centric ultraluxury model by IHG. Throughout Larry’s (solely one of many authors this time) final journey to the Everlasting Metropolis, not solely did he have the distinction of staying on this lodge that expertly blends Roman Renaissance with elegant modern design, however he additionally had a second to interview the property’s Common Supervisor, Francesca Tozzi.

A Roman with over 20 years of expertise in luxurious hospitality – each in Italy and overseas – Tozzi joined Six Senses in June 2021 to steer the opening of the 96-key Six Senses Rome. She developed her deep understanding of the guts of luxurious hospitality whereas basic supervisor at Capri Tiberio Palace for 9 years in addition to seven years in Tuscany overseeing the luxurious seaside lodge Il Pellicano and Villa La Massa close to Florence. Earlier than that, we held a number of senior roles at 4 Seasons Lodges & Resorts following a level at John Cabot College in Rome. Her appointment to shepherd Six Senses Rome brings her full circle again to her hometown.

Describe the general story of Six Senses Rome.

At Six Senses Rome, we’ve created a spot that feels actually related to the town – each in its historical past and in the way in which we welcome folks. Restoring a Fifteenth-century palazzo within the coronary heart of Rome got here with its challenges, however for us, it was about hanging the suitable stability between honoring the previous and creating a contemporary, comfy area. We’re not simply one other luxurious lodge; we would like friends to really feel like they’re moving into one thing that’s lived-in, heat and private.

 From the Roman Baths expertise within the spa to the recent, native elements in our restaurant, each element is designed to provide folks an genuine but surprising option to expertise the town. Six Senses is about connection – whether or not it’s between friends and the crew or by way of the partnerships we’ve constructed with native artisans and suppliers. We wish folks to go away not simply having visited Rome however having felt part of it.

 Subsequent, give us an summary of the mission’s genesis.

With its iconic, worldwide-known landmarks and hidden gems, the Everlasting Metropolis is a vacation spot everybody ought to see a minimum of as soon as in a lifetime. Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, which Six Senses Rome calls its residence, was established within the coronary heart of Rome’s UNESCO-protected metropolis heart. Its historic constructing is positioned in a strategic, very central location only a brief stroll from the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Because the model’s first city property in Italy, the mission was designed to mix Roman historical past with fashionable luxurious, creating an area that honors the town’s tradition and previous. Six Senses administration additionally expressed a private connection to Rome, which helped form the imaginative and prescient behind the lodge. Moreover, the town heart had a rising want for luxurious worldwide lodge manufacturers with a medium-sized stock, making Six Senses a pure match.

Inform us a bit in regards to the building.

The restoration of the Fifteenth-century Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini targeted on preserving key historic options, together with 600-year-old columns, a fourth-century baptismal tub and the façade of the neighboring San Marcello al Corso Church. Guided by architect Patricia Urquiola, the mission fastidiously blended the constructing’s authentic Roman structure with fashionable, sustainable design, guaranteeing that its historical past was honored whereas being thoughtfully tailored for the current.

The mission started in 2019 and, regardless of delays brought on by the lockdown, opened in March 2023 – a comparatively brief timeframe given the dimensions and complexity of the work. A major focus was the preservation of archaeological findings and pre-existing architectural constructions, together with:

• Baptismal Font: One of many oldest in Rome, relationship again to the fourth century, it’s seen from the lodge’s floor flooring and is solely accessible from the lodge. It was found throughout renovations within the early twentieth century.
• Monumental Staircase: A defining characteristic of the unique palazzo, constructed from Carrara marble and meticulously restored.
• Round Architectural Components: By Quaroni Micalizzi and built-in inside Urquiola’s inside design, these parts had been preserved as a part of the mental heritage of the constructing’s historic modifications.

By way of this restoration, Six Senses Rome has ensured that the palazzo’s architectural integrity and historic significance stay on the forefront, providing friends an immersive connection to the town’s previous inside a contemporary, sustainable setting.

How is the Six Senses model is infused into the property?

Six Senses Rome blends historic Roman allure with the model’s concentrate on sustainability, wellness and native tradition. The Six Senses Spa reimagines historical Roman bathing rituals with fashionable variations of the caldarium, tepidarium and frigidarium, alongside remedies like sound remedy, biohacking and breathwork, reflecting the model’s holistic wellness strategy. Eating at BIVIUM Restaurant-Café-Bar and at NOTOS Rooftop brings the Eat With Six Senses ethos to life, that includes seasonal, domestically sourced dishes impressed by Roman traditions. Sustainability is central to the mission, with reclaimed supplies and conventional Roman craftsmanship featured all through the lodge.

How has the property been acquired by the touring public?

Six Senses Rome has been warmly acquired by each worldwide vacationers and locals, rapidly changing into a go-to vacation spot for these exploring the Everlasting Metropolis and a wanted spot to expertise the lodge’s spa and eating shops. The property has additionally established itself as an excellent venue for personal gatherings and company occasions, additional solidifying its place inside Rome’s luxurious hospitality panorama.

Who’re the important thing opponents, and the way does the property differentiate itself?

Six Senses Rome shares the same caliber of clientele with the Bulgari Lodge, Lodge de Russie (Rocco Forte Lodges) and Lodge Eden (Dorchester Assortment). Nevertheless, the lodge units itself aside by way of its deep-rooted dedication to wellness, sustainability and native tradition. The model’s signature emotional hospitality ensures that visitor consolation and expertise stay on the core of each touchpoint, making a uniquely immersive keep.

Are you able to give examples of how you’ve gotten built-in the lodge into the neighborhood?

Six Senses Rome has made vital efforts to combine into the area people by way of each heritage preservation and sustainability initiatives. The lodge sponsored the restoration of the façade of the San Marcello al Corso Church, a neighboring historic landmark, demonstrating a dedication to defending Rome’s cultural heritage. Contained in the lodge, the restoration dropped at gentle a fourth-century baptismal tub, which is now displayed below glass flooring tiles in BIVIUM Restaurant-Café-Bar, permitting friends to attach with the town’s historical historical past in a contemporary setting.

Past restoring historic structure, the lodge has integrated reused supplies and conventional Roman artisanal building strategies into its interiors, reinforcing its ties to native craftsmanship. The Earth Lab performs a central function in neighborhood engagement by providing interactive workshops and academic talks targeted on sustainability. These packages permit each friends and locals to study sustainable product-making and environmental conservation. The lodge’s meals and beverage program additionally helps the area people by sourcing elements from native farmers and suppliers.