Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has signed a long-term management agreement with Attestor Limited to rebrand and manage the historic Hotel Cristallo in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The property will undergo a substantial renovation after closing in the second quarter of 2023, re-opening as a Mandarin Oriental resort in the summer of 2025, ahead of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Mandarin Oriental Cristallo, Cortina will be the Group’s first alpine resort and expands Mandarin Oriental’s presence further in Italy. The property sits above the most recognised mountain village in the Dolomites, a short walk away from Cortina d’Ampezzo, known as the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’, which features many award-winning restaurants, luxury brand boutiques and local arts and crafts.
Hotel Cristallo was built in 1901 in Art Nouveau style by the Menardi family and was a popular ski destination in the 1930s for the European cultured elite. After the Olympic Games of 1956, the Hotel entered its ‘golden era’ as a renowned ski destination, hosting royals and celebrities, including Peter Sellers, Frank Sinatra, Saul Bellow and Vladimir Nabokov. It has featured as a backdrop for a number of award-winning films, maintaining its historical charm as an early 20th century grand hotel. In 2021, the property was acquired by funds managed by Attestor Limited, who also own Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como. Hotel Cristallo will undergo a thorough renovation including a new extension, created by award-winning architects Herzog and deMeuron.
On re-opening, the hotel will feature 83 guest rooms, many with balconies, including 30 spacious suites with beautiful views of the Dolomites. The resort will also feature a range of restaurants and bars, flexible spaces for entertainment and events, as well as an extensive spa and wellness facility, which includes a swimming pool that transverses from inside to outside the building.
The resort will provide a picturesque backdrop from which to enjoy a broad range of experiences from skiing to golf, cross country walking and hiking, tennis, ice skating, mountain climbing and a Kid’s Club equipped to match the needs of various age groups. Due to an extensive investment in artificial snow systems, the Dolomites are among the few Alpine resorts with guaranteed snow throughout the season and feature 1,200 kilometres of interconnected slopes.
“We are delighted to be bringing the Mandarin Oriental brand to the beauty of the Dolomites, which has long been a destination of choice for skiers and adventurers and will no doubt appeal to Fans of Mandarin Oriental who love alpine pursuits. We look forward to delivering the Group’s exemplary service to the resort and to working with our partners from Lago di Como to create another exclusive property in one of Italy’s foremost regions,” said James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
“We are excited to be restoring this famous property to its former glory in advance of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, while also creating a unique sense of modern luxury for international travellers. Following our successful partnership on Lake Como, we are pleased to add an iconic Italian asset to our collaboration with Mandarin Oriental and look forward to creating an Alpine landmark,” said David Alhadeff, Partner, Attestor Limited.
