IHC Tuscany & Courmayeur Blog
Our Italian Adventure with The Italian Hospitality Collection by Rakesh Joomuck
Andrea, Sarah and I got to travel to Courmayeur, Aosta Valley in June for a site inspection of Le Massif which is within the Alps overlooking Mont Blanc and part of Italian Hospitality Collection. The eco-friendly Le Massif brings a unique concept with its two stunning locations: the hotel in the centre of the village and the chalet La Loge du Massif located in the heart of the ski slopes with stunning views over the Mont Blanc area. Le chalet offers a restaurant which is ideal for private events, a bar for the apres-ski entertainment, ski-club and a heated ski room and your very own ski butler.
The hotel offers 80 rooms and suites, all with a modern Alpine aesthetic with spectacular views of the mountains. The hotel opens during the ski season from December to March and also in the summer, so it’s ideal if you are looking for corporate getaways during the ski season or to enjoy some adrenaline activities during the summer months. The hotel is very flexible and would consider privatisation and buyout for corporate events in or outside of season. The Hotel has event spaces with breathtaking views of the mountains and Mont Blanc. We also visited Skyway Monte Bianco which is located 5mins drive from the hotel and we were amazed by the meeting spaces which are the highest in Italy. There are also stunning outdoor event spaces for the ‘out of the box’ creative meetings and events.
Le Massif is also affiliated with The Leading Hotels of the World and is also a member of the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts lodging programme.
We then travelled down to Milan for an overnight stay in the city before starting our journey to Pisa the next day where we checked-in at Bagni di Pisa. This is a splendid eighteenth-century residence just outside Pisa, close to Lucca. Bagni di Pisa Palace was the former Summer and spa residence of the Grand Duke of Tuscany in the 18th-century with frescoed vaulted ceilings and on-site hot springs. The historic thermal baths of Bagni di Levante, the wonderful, frescoed ceilings, and the view of Pisa and the Leaning Tower will leave you breathless. We were very lucky to get to experience the spa with an amazing full body massage with healing techniques which left us wonderfully relaxed. We also experienced the thermal grotto which is an exclusive experience and the ancient thermal baths; built on a natural hot spring, a fascinating and unique place to organise private events. The event days are combined with the relaxation and well-being of the spa, with the thermal cave, the treatments, the whirlpools, the architecture, and all surrounded by the marble of the ancient baths.
We walked to the top of the hills within the landscape of the property, which features stunning architecture and space for a cocktail reception or event with views of Tuscany and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Bagni di Pisa is a perfect choice for events and timeless meetings where you will find the perfect combination of work and wellness. The hotel has 61 rooms and 9 Suites and 3 individual meeting rooms with a capacity of 8 to 70 theatre style.
We then travelled to Grotta Giusti for a site inspection the next day. Grotta Giusti is a beautiful nineteenth-century villa located in Monsummano, Tuscany between Florence, Pisa, and Lucca. Originally a countryside residence for the family of poet Giuseppe Giusti, today it is a prestigious resort immersed in the greenery of its ancient parkland. Grotta Giusti has the charm of history, with a special atmosphere created by its architecture, the surrounding nature, and the spectacular natural thermal grotto. At Grotta Giusti, the meeting and conference area is designed as a creative booster full of positive energy. It is a flexible area that can offer different experiences, from hosting private or corporate events to workshops and meetings of all kinds, and even hosting concerts or receptions. This property feature 68 Rooms & Suites and 3 restaurants and bars.
The last part of our journey was an overnight stay at Fonteverde located in San Casciano Dei Bagni, Siena, Tuscany. A palace born from a Renaissance-era portico, right on a mineral spring. The portico, commissioned by Grand Duke Ferdinando I de’ Medici, lies in the heart of the Val d’Orcia, amid rolling hills, cypress woods and small churches. The spectacular panoramic pools as well as the ones used for treatments and relaxation are filled with the natural heat of the thermal springs. Fonteverde is a jewel and a timeless haven where you can discover a new dimension of well-being and reach a higher level of harmony with the equilibrium method. This property features 78 Rooms & Suites, 7 Thermal pools with waterfall and hydro massages and even a thermal pool for pets! The Spa and thermal pool area is another level with a total area of 5000 sqm. We all got to experience a wonderful spa treatment at Fonteverde.
And so ended our tour and site inspection of the wonderful properties of the Italian Hospitality Collection and we are very excited to showcase these properties to our clients as well as support our clients on their next event to Italy.
