German Hotelier Adding Presence in Italy

BERLIN-Locally based Kempinski Hotels & Resorts has landed a contract with the Sicilian public company Mediterranea Spa to manage a luxury hotel and wellness center on the island of Sicily. The Giardino di Costanza Grand Hotel & Spa in Mazara del Valla will be Kempinski’s first hotel in Italy.

The hotel is connected to the 19th Century Villa Fontanasalsa, a convention center. Kempinski will open the property in Spring 2004.

Kempinski Hotels & Resorts, Europe’s oldest hotel group, is owned by the Crown Property Bureau of Thailand. Founded in Germany in 1897, its portfolio is now spread throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia. In August, the company announced eight new management contracts on four continents, taking the company’s portfolio to over 50 owned or managed properties for the first time in its history. Eight Years ago, the company had less than 20 hotels in its portfolio.