Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will introduce its first alpine resort in the summer of 2025 in the Italian ski resort of Cortina.
The ultra-luxury hospitality company has inked a management deal to rebrand and manage the historic Hotel Cristallo d’Ampezzo, which will close in Q2 2023 for a substantial renovation. The property is earmarked to reopen as Mandarin Oriental Cristallo, Cortina ahead of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The property sits above the most recognised mountain village in the Dolomites, a short walk away from Cortina d’Ampezzo, known as the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’, which features award-winning restaurants, high-end boutiques and local arts and crafts.
Currently, the hotel is understood to operate within Marriott International’s Luxury Collection stable. Online reservations for the Cristallo, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Cortina d’Ampezzo cease in late March 2023.
Hotel Cristallo was built in 1901 in Art Nouveau style and was a popular ski destination in the 1930s for the European cultured elite. After the Olympic Games of 1956, the Hotel entered its “golden era” as a renowned ski destination, hosting royals and celebrities, including Peter Sellers, Frank Sinatra, Saul Bellow and Vladimir Nabokov. In 2021, the property was acquired by funds managed by Attestor Limited, who also owns Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como. Hotel Cristallo will undergo a thorough renovation including a new extension, created by award-winning architects Herzog and deMeuron.
On re-opening, the hotel will feature 83 guestrooms, many with balconies, including 30 suites with views of the Dolomites. The resort will also feature a range of restaurants and bars, as well as an extensive spa and wellness facility, which includes a swimming pool that transverses from inside to outside the building.
James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group said, “We are delighted to be bringing the Mandarin Oriental brand to the beauty of the Dolomites which has long been a destination of choice for skiers and adventurers and will no doubt appeal to Fans of Mandarin Oriental who love alpine pursuits. We look forward to delivering the Group’s exemplary service to the resort and to working with our partners from Lago di Como to create another exclusive property in one of Italy’s foremost regions.”
“We are excited to be restoring this famous property to its former glory in advance of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, while also creating a unique sense of modern luxury for international travellers. Following our successful partnership on Lake Como, we are pleased to add an iconic Italian asset to our collaboration with Mandarin Oriental and look forward to creating an Alpine landmark,” said David Alhadeff, Partner, Attestor Limited.
The property is accessible from Venice Marco Polo Airport, 1.5 hours away by car.
Image source: Cristallo, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Cortina d’Ampezzo
