From left to right: Hylko Versteeg, IHG Hotels & Resorts; Eric Viale, IHG Hotels & Resorts; Philippe Berman, Società Turistica Alberghiera Taorminese; Raffaele Ranucci, Società Turistica Alberghiera Taorminese; Fabrizio Piolanti, IHG
22.02.24 (London, UK): IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has today announced the signing of its first Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants property in Italy. Joining IHG’s fast-growing luxury & lifestyle portfolio, now the second largest in the world, the Kimpton property in Sicily will open in the second half of 2025 and represents a management agreement with partner Società Turistica Alberghiera Taorminese.
The Kimpton signing in Sicily follows six luxury and lifestyle openings and signings by IHG in 2023, demonstrating IHG’s investment and focus on this key market. This included the first urban expression of Six Senses opened in Rome, together with InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace and Hotel Indigo Florence. Two further Hotel Indigo properties are due to open in Turin and Trieste over the coming years, as well as IHG’s first Vignette Collection property, Hotel Alexandra, in Rome in 2025.
Nestled in the hill-top town of Taormina on the island’s east coast, the hotel will harness its heritage whilst embracing Kimpton’s ethos for superlative style, addictive irreverence and design led experiences that are ridiculously personal. The 59-boutique bedroom hotel is expected to feature destination dining that will appeal to hotel guests and locals alike. The breakfast room and bar terrace will also offer panoramic views, spanning from Calabria to the Bay of Isolabella.
Kimpton definition of wellness extends beyond the obvious to permeate the guest experience, from the community-building effects of Evening Social Hour to the healthy options available in the minibar. Continuing this ethos, the Kimpton in Sicily will feature an outdoor Mediterranean garden, 20-metre swimming pool, and a tennis court.
(Mrs) Willemijn Geels, VP Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “Italy has long been known for its reputation of luxury travel, breath taking coastal locations, and vibrant communities – and our growth strategy in the country has been designed to complement this. Following a surge of activity in 2023, which saw us more than double our luxury and lifestyle offerings in this market, we’re now excited to be partnering with Società Turistica Alberghiera Taorminese to further expand our presence in Italy with this boutique lifestyle property on the picturesque island of Sicily. This expansion underscores the demand, and trust, from our owners to embed IHG’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio in one of Europe’s most coveted leisure destinations. We look forward to delivering exceptional experiences to our guests and helping them create unforgettable memories once we open our doors in the second half of 2025.”
Founded in 1981 by visionary hotelier, Bill Kimpton, Kimpton was a pioneer of the boutique hotel and restaurant philosophy now considered commonplace in hospitality. IHG acquired the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants brand in 2018 and has since spearheaded its expansion into Europe and beyond. The Kimpton property in Sicily joins Kimpton’s worldwide portfolio of properties including Kimpton Vividora Barcelona, Kimpton St Honoré Paris, and Kimpton Fitzroy London.
Raffaele Ranucci, Owner, Società Turistica Alberghiera Taorminese, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring the first Kimpton branded hotel to Italy, in Sicily. This new and exciting chapter means we will welcome visitors to this one-of-a-kind destination once we open our doors in 2025, and provide guests with the unparalleled service, amenities, and experiences the Kimpton brand is known for.”
Each Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant is designed to open the door to heartfelt human connections through unexpected, ridiculously personal touches that create a meaningful and unscripted guest experience. Merging a culture of heartfelt hospitality and unique, design-forward hotels for all, every Kimpton property is designed from scratch to create genuine experiences where locals and visitors seamlessly mingle. The Kimpton in Sicily is to be no exception and will introduce the brand ethos to Italy.
The Kimpton in Sicily will be IHG Hotels & Resorts’ 30th hotel in Italy and joins a portfolio of eight Kimpton hotels across the UK and continental Europe, part of Kimpton’s global portfolio of 78 hotels across 12 countries, representing 13,721-bedrooms. In the coming years a further 54 hotels will join the Kimpton brand, seeing it surpass it’s 100 hotels milestone and reach 20 countries by 2025.
