Villa d’Este Hotels has announced the appointment of Mr. Davide Bertilaccio as CEO of the group. From April 2022, Bertilaccio will lead the prestigious group, and its four properties; the iconic Villa d’Este on Lake Como, the newly-refurbished Villa La Massa in Florence on the River Arno, as well as Palace Hotel and Hotel Barchetta Excelsior in Como. Bertilaccio will be based at Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Lake Como.
Born in Friuli Venezia Giulia, northwest Italy, Bertilaccio’s impressive 30-year career began with a degree in Tourism & Hospitality from the Travel Institute Volta in Udine, which he later integrated with a formation at the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University in New York. Since then, Bertilaccio has spent over two decades working and living across continents with Four Seasons Hotels, Rocco Forte Hotels, Armani Hotels, Starwood Group and Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. His illustrious career has included managerial roles in destinations such as Beverly Hills, London, Paris and Sardinia. One of Bertilaccio’s highlights was a move to Eastern Africa where, as Area General Manager of FRHI Hotels & Resorts, he oversaw three Kenyan properties, including the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi.
Bertilaccio joins Villa d’Este Hotels following a series of high leadership roles at Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. Most recently, he held the position of Regional Vice President, leading the operational development of the brand’s European collection. Properties and projects within the portfolio included HoÌtel de Crillon, Rosewood London and the re-branding and reopening of the Rosewood Hotel Villa Magna in Madrid in 2021. Whilst in this role, Bertilaccio also maintained his position as Managing Director of Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, awarding the property and impressive record of achievements, and establishing a name for the hotel within Italian hospitality.
Bertilaccio takes the helm at Villa d’Este Hotels during a significant milestone year. In 2022, Lake Como’s grande hame, Villa d’Este, will celebrate its 150th season when it reopens on 3rd March.
Under Bertilaccio’s experienced leadership, Villa d’Este is set to host a prestigious calendar of events for guests to enjoy, including the hotel’s first festive season, a historical photography exhibition as well as an unforgettable anniversary gala and performances from Teatro Sociale di Como throughout the season.
“I am overjoyed to be announced as CEO of Villa d’Este Hotels,” says Bertilaccio. “To join the team during such a historic and celebratory year is a sincere privilege. While I aim to continue to respect the traditions for which Villa d’Este Hotels is famed and adored, I also plan to carry forward graceful innovations of the properties.
“To be trusted with Italy’s most prestigious hotels is the greatest honour of my career thus far and I am looking forward to joining this very special team in the spring.”
