Meliá Hotels International and Generali Real Estate are delighted to announce that they will be partnering together in a unique project in Milan: a new Gran Meliá hotel opening in the city centre in 2023.

This announcement confirms both players' confidence in Milan and their recognition of the investment opportunities within the city, as the travel industry recovers following the pandemic.

The 5-star hotel will be the result of the complete refurbishment and restoration of the historic Palazzo Venezia, one of the most recognisable buildings in Piazza Cordusio, just a few metres from Piazza del Duomo in the centre of Milan. The building owns its name to Generali's Venetian roots: it was designed in the late XIX century by architect Luca Beltrami, built by the Generali Group as its headquarters in Milan, and hosted the Generali offices until the move of the Generali Tower in CityLife. The transformation of the building into a luxury hotel will be the perfect transition owing to its monumental architecture and innate elegance, coupled with state-of-the-art, world-class hospitality.

After the renovation, the building will comply with the criteria required to obtain the LEED Gold certification, an international sustainability recognition that is particularly remarkable in the case of a historical building. Furthermore, as a hotel, the building will be accessible to the public for the first time in its history.

Thanks to its unique location, the new Gran Meliá hotel will set a new benchmark for luxury travel, providing the perfect base from which to explore Milan for leisure and business travellers alike. It is ideally situated to discover the city of fashion and design, the artistic and cultural monuments, whilst also being within easy access of the business and financial hubs. After an extensive renovation, the building - property of a fund managed by Generali Real Estate SGR - will preserve its majestic historical façade and will house 70 luxurious rooms designed to offer guests the most unforgettable stay. True to any Gran Melia experience, the hotel will offer unparalleled food and drink experiences, offering gourmet travellers a selection of the finest Italian and international cuisine. The building will also feature a rooftop bar and terrace, offering breath-taking 360° views of the city from a unique viewpoint, under the characteristic dome.

Another of the brand's hallmarks is its variety of "exceptional experiences", a unique collection of experiences to help guests discover and enjoy the destination and designed for travellers who wish to explore the true essence of the city. This hotel will be a new addition to the exclusive Gran Meliá family, an exceptional collection of premium hotels located in the most desired destinations in the world and defined by elegance in every detail and rooted in Spanish style. The brand exudes sophistication and aesthetic refinement, values that fit naturally with the Milan ambience.

The addition of the Gran Meliá hotel in Milan is a further example of Meliá Hotels International's commitment to growth in Italy, and in particular, in Milan, where it already operates hotels under three of its brands: Meliá Milano, ME Milano Il Duca and INNSIDE Milano Torre Galfa.

In addition, the company also has hotels in Rome and Genoa. "Italy is one of the world's greatest tourist destinations and it is a privilege for us to offer iconic hotels such as the Gran Meliá in Milan, which bring even greater recognition to our brands", commented Gabriel Escarrer, Vice President and CEO of the hotel company, who also assures that "thanks to our efforts to raise the quality of our portfolio, we will be in the best possible condition to face the recovery and once again attract demand in the most competitive destinations in the world."

“With this important investment, we confirm our confidence in the strength of Milan and its come-back among the most important business and travel destination, after the pandemic crisis", commented Aldo Mazzocco, CEO of Generali Real Estate. “As a long-term investor, we selected a world-class and forward-looking partner such as Melia, which shares with us a 'Mediterranean' root and style, to both preserve and transform one of our most iconic buildings into a high-end hotel".​​​