The Virtuoso Luminaries, Legends & Leaders Awards Honor The Premier Hospitality of Lake Como
Valentina De Santis Named "Hotelier of The Year 2022"
Global luxury travel network Virtuoso has honored Valentina De Santis as ‘Hotelier of the Year' in this year's sought-after Virtuoso Awards during the evening gala closing the 34th annual Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas.
For nearly 50 years, Valentina and her family have been an integral part of Lake Como's history, as owners of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo since 1973, now continuing paving the way for luxury hospitality with the June 2022 opening of their latest passion project, Passalacqua.
Each year, more than 4,000 of the industry's top travel advisors and partners gather at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas to reward the ‘Luminaries, Legends and Leaders' of tourism and hospitality, celebrating individuals and brands alike who demonstrate unconditional passion for this sector. Announced on August 18th, the awards are considered the gold stamp of the travel industry.
Of the 12 recipients of the prestigious Virtuoso 'Hotelier of the Year' awards - the Oscar of Hotellerie - this is the fifth time that an Italian hotelier will be receiving the award, an incredible honor for the country, and only the second time that an owner of an independent hotel has been recognized in this category.
"This amazing award tells a great story of love and family," says Owner Valentina De Santis. "It is an incredible recognition for us that belongs first and foremost to my parents, who created something magical and taught me to love it unconditionally, to my husband who always supports me in every situation, and to my children who are always waiting patiently for me at home to fill my heart with their hugs. Above all, this award belongs to my extended family, the incredible teams at Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Passalacqua, who approach every day with passion to ensure every dream come true - theirs and ours. They are the legends, the true winners."
About Valentina De Santis Bio: As a third-generation entrepreneur with a great passion for her heritage and the field of hospitality, Valentina De Santis was born in Como in 1982. After earning her degree in Economics for the Arts, Culture and Communication followed by a specialization in General Management, Valentina began her career in Bain & Company, a strategic management consulting firm, mainly dealing with projects in the field of fashion and luxury.
In 2010, the centenary year of Grand Hotel Tremezzo, acquired by her grandfather in 1973, she began to immerse herself in the family business with a focus on developing the sales & marketing strategy for the hotel. With a fresh perspective on the industry and generations-long talent, Valentina pursued a new career following in the footsteps of her parents and in keeping the perfect balance between honoring tradition and infusing innovation, all with inspiration drawn from Lake Como.
In 2014, Valentina was nominated among five finalists as Best Hotelier of the Year. In 2019 she was ranked one of the 100 most successful Italian women for Forbes and in 2021 she won the Patrizio Cipollini Award as "Italian Hotelier of the Year" during Duco, a luxury travel show dedicated to Italian excellence.
About Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Boasting unparalleled views over Bellagio and the rose-tinted Grigne mountains, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, a family-run business for over a century of history, is a symbol of the warmest Italian hospitality. Built in 1910, it combines fabulous period décor characterized by vibrant colors and reflecting the exuberance of times past with contemporary luxuries.An Art Nouveau Palace sitting adjacent to Villa Carlotta's famed gardens with its 100 windows overlooking either the lake blue waters or the flowering greenery of the garden, the Hotel features 75 rooms and 15 suites and multifarious array of world-class facilities. The brand-new lakefront sandy lido, fully restyled to immerse you in the glamor of the Italian riviera during the 1950s and 1960s, is a place to live the real dolce vita. Two private Venetian motor launches, Ruy and Batt, await to show you the lake and its borgos. The three breathtaking pools - one of them floating on the lake -, along with the fitness center and two-hectare secular park with floodlit clay tennis court allow unlimited ways to while away the hours. The three-level T Spa with an exclusive product and treatment line by Santa Maria Novella Italian brand. The hotel boasts five bars and restaurants: La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi, featuring the Maestro of modern Italian cuisine's dishes, L'Escale Trattoria & Wine Bar, offering Italian cuisine with a twist in a casual atmosphere, T Pizza, the pizzeria immersed in the greenery of the park, Giacomo al Lago, the perfect bond between the breathtaking location of the Palace's beach and the fish recipes by Giacomo Milano, and the T Bar, for signature cocktails from aperitif to after-dinner. Visit www.grandhoteltremezzo.com/en/home/
About Passalacqua
Built on land originally owned by Pope Innocent XI, Passalacqua was constructed in the 18th Century by Count Andrea Lucini-Passalacqua, who worked with architect Felice Soave and designer Giocondo Albertolli to bring his vision of making one of the largest villas on Lake Como come to life. In the years that followed, the villa became a gathering place for some of Italy's most prominent figures. Vincenzo Bellini made Villa Passalacqua his home in 1829, composing two of his most famous operas, Norma and Sonnambula. The De Santis family has worked diligently with local artisans and small, generations-old Italian companies, drawing on their personal relationships to ensure that a sense of place, heritage and high-quality craftsmanship resonates throughout the property. The 21st Century iteration of Passalacqua features 24 suites spread across three accommodation offerings - each with their own distinctive character and charm. The main historic residence, the Villa, features 12 sumptuous suites, which celebrate the grand Italian baroque style and original frescoes, including a double height balustraded music room, where Bellini played the piano. The Palazz or ‘ancient stables', comprises 8 suites with centuries-old, exposed beam work, glossy damask walls and a striking spiral staircase. The majestic, terraced gardens, which overlook Lake Como are simply extraordinary, featuring private hideaways and more than 15 enchanting water fountains. A Spa is located in what was the cow's manger, with two treatment cabins offering Barbara Sturm treatments, a relaxation area, sauna and steam bath within the secret tunnels of the villa. Down by the lake, the intimate Casa Al Lago is ideal for exclusive use, with four suites, each appointed with a private garden - all sharing a beautiful dining area and fireplace. Visit www.passalacqua.it/en/
About Virtuoso Travel Network
Virtuoso is the exclusive network of leading global agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel that connects more than 20,000 luxury travel advisors with the world's best hotels who work together to create bespoke holidays for discerning travelers. Founded in 1951 in the US, it partners with over 2,200 of the world's best companies such as hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, and more, from 50 countries, finely selected under invitation and with a yearly sales volume of about 30 billions dollars that allow their élite travelers to make their dreams reality perfectly tailoring the experiences to the guests. Visit www.virtuoso.com/travel
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