Cortina: the historic Hotel de la Poste has been acquired by Alberto Vacchi’s family
The historic hotel, overlooking Piazza Roma, is being taken over by Cortina Holding, a company wholly owned by Alva, the entrepreneur’s holding company
After more than two centuries of history, one of Cortina d’Ampezzo’s most iconic hotels is passing into the hands of the family of Alberto Vacchi, chairman of Ima, the leading packaging company based in Emilia. The historic Hotel de la Poste, overlooking Piazza Roma, is being taken over by Cortina Holding, a company wholly owned by Alva, the entrepreneur’s family holding company.
The transaction finalised today, 22 October, concerns 100 per cent of the share capital of Hotel de la Poste Srl, acquired by the Manaigo and Esposito families. The value of the transaction has not been disclosed, but it is known that UniCredit is the financial partner in the deal. A new chapter is now beginning for the hotel, founded in 1804: an ambitious refurbishment project designed to elevate it to the five-star luxury category.
The project aims to transform the hotel without erasing its identity. The current 73 rooms are set to be reduced to around 55, comprising larger rooms and suites: a reduction in accommodation capacity that already reflects the direction of the investment, which is geared towards a more exclusive hospitality experience. The plan, which is still being finalised, includes the restoration of the historic Bar del Posta, two restaurants, a spa and venues dedicated to private events. The aim is to combine the building’s architectural heritage with a contemporary offering capable of attracting an international clientele.
Leading this transformation will be Gregorio Minelli Vacchi, Alberto’s son, who is to take up the chairmanship of the board of directors at Hotel de la Poste. A graduate in architecture from the Politecnico di Milano, he has already overseen restoration work on properties belonging to the family. “We remain deeply committed to the industrial sector, but we believe that redeveloping this historic hotel is an undertaking full of challenges and opportunities – not just financial ones,” emphasises Alberto Vacchi, entrusting his son with a project which, he adds, will require “energy and innovative ideas that can only come from young people”.
In the meantime, the hotel will continue to operate as normal until work begins, retaining its current management and staff. The future hotel operator, however, has yet to be identified: the owners have appointed Savills on an exclusive basis for this task, through its Italian Hospitality & Leisure team. This decision signals a desire to establish a recognisable brand presence in overseas markets as well. According to Dario Leone, head of the Savills team, Cortina is undergoing “a phase of profound transformation and repositioning towards the high-end segments of the market”, accompanied by interest from major international investors and operators. The acquisition forms part of this trend, presenting the challenge of modernising a historic landmark of Ampezzo’s hospitality sector without losing its character.
