Rome, the Mandarin Oriental luxury hotel will open in the Villini Sallustiani

Rome's vibrant hotel market is preparing to welcome Mandarin Oriental. The indiscretion, published at the time in Sole24 Ore, dates back to late 2021. Since then, talks and contracts have been going on between Merope Asset Management, which bought from Colony Capital the former Villini Unicredit, ten properties dating back to the 19th century where the hotel will open, and the hospitality group that is part of the Jardine Matheson Group.

Thus, a unique luxury structure will open in the second half of 2026 as it is arranged in several buildings surrounded by a centuries-old park. In the heart of Rome, just a few steps from Via Veneto and the Spanish Steps, the ten Villini will be renovated to create an urban oasis with 108 rooms and suites on more than 18,000 square metres, of which more than 40 with private gardens or terraces.

"The Villini Sallustiani want to become a highly attractive destination in Rome," says Pietro Croce, founder and CEO of Merope, "in a location that lends itself to extending guests' stays. Inside the complex there are six restaurants and bars in different settings. The Mandarin Bar, in particular, will occupy a large panoramic terrace to offer a view over the city. A spa with indoor and outdoor swimming pools surrounded by greenery will be built in two buildings. The resort, which as mentioned will be completed by 2026, will be the fifth Mandarin Oriental property in Italy, after Milan and Lake Como, and the forthcoming openings in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Porto Cervo. The Group is now an international brand that manages 38 hotels and 11 residences in 25 countries.

"The project will bring the Villini Sallustiani back to their original splendour, preserving their historical value, but with the ambition of transforming them into one of the most iconic accommodation facilities in our country and internationally," says Croce. Merope, who owns the building where the Cipriani is located in Milan, among other things, purchased the Villini for one hundred million euro and invested the same amount in the redevelopment and restoration work. The proposed exemption building permit has only recently been approved by the Capitoline Assembly, so there has been a change of use from residential to hospitality.

"We will take the same meticulous approach in Rome as we have done for our other historic properties, ensuring that we honour and respect local craftsmanship and Roman heritage, while incorporating the finest luxury," comments Laurent Kleitman, CEO of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.