Status Hotel Named for House of Savoy Owner Dorchester Collection | Location Milan, Italy Construction started April 6, 1927 | |
Architectural style Neoclassical architecture | ||
Hotel Principe di Savoia, or simply referred to as The Principe, is a five-star hotel in Milan, Italy. The hotel has long become one of Milan's Landmarks. Founded by the name of "Principe e Savoia" in 1927, a time when Milan had already established its position as financial center of the country, it soon became a home for businessmen. With time, celebrities of all kinds chose The Principe for their Italian stays: Edward VIII, Erich Maria Remarque, Aristotle Onassis, Evita Peron, Maria Callas; and in recent years Madonna, David Beckham and George Clooney, among others.
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In 2003, the hotel became part of the Dorchester Collection, a group of luxury hotels owned by the Brunei Investment Agency. Located on Piazza della Repubblica, The Principe houses 301 rooms with 44 suites throughout ten floors.
History
The hotel originally opened in April 1927 as Principe e Savoia, developed by S.A. Acquisto ed Esercizio Alberghi Savoia. Its neoclassical architectural design was developed by Milanese architect Cesare Tenca. Following the Great Depression in the 1930s, the hotel was acquired by CIGA Hotels Group in 1938, which also managed hotels including Danieli and Gritti Palace in Venice. During World War II, Principe became a headquarters for the Germans, and later it was used as an American headquarters. The hotel, which was not badly damaged during the war, underwent renovations in the 1950s adding two wings: Principe Rosso and Metallico.
In the 1980s, CIGA renamed the hotel “Principe di Savoia,” the proper way to refer to the Italian royal family, House of Savoy, of which the hotel is named for. Starwood Hotels and Resorts bought the controlling interest in CIGA Hotels in 1984.
In 2003, Principe was purchased from Starwood by the Dorchester Collection, joining a group of five star hotels that also includes hotels such as The Dorchester, Plaza Athénéé and Hôtel Meurice.
Overview
Principe di Savoia is located close to Garibaldi, Centrale and Cadorna stations, as well as the La Scala theatre. The hotel features classic Italian and art deco furniture, statues and decor throughout the building. The entrance showcases a stained-glass domed ceiling while mosaics and chandeliers decorate common areas and guest rooms. The famed Presidential Suite, located on the tenth floor, features luxurious amenities including a Pompeii style private spa with fresco walls, Turkish bath, antique furniture and fireplace, three bedrooms, full dining room, library and terrace. Guests that have stayed in the suite included Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Woody Allen, President George H. W. Bush, Bill Gates, President Vladimir Putin and more.
The Principe has two restaurants and the Principe Bar renovated in 2009 by architect Thierry Despont. Il Salotto is a casual lobby lounge, while Acanto is the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant headed by executive chef Fabrizio Cadei. Club 10 is a 1,000 square meter fitness and beauty centre located on the top floor of the hotel. It includes a full salon, indoor heated pool, sauna and other amenities.
Notable guests
Since its opening, Principe di Savoia has been known to host notable guests and celebrities such as Charlie Chaplin, Josephine Baker, The Aga Khan, David Rockefeller, Elizabeth Taylor, Henry Ford and the Prince of Monaco.
Other notable guests of the hotel have included Madonna, George Clooney and David and Victoria Beckham.