The hotel group has signed a management agreement with Attestor Limited to take over Hotel Cristallo in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
It has been announced that Mandarin Oriental will rebrand and manage the historic hotel in the Dolomites. The existing site will close for extensive renovation works in the second quarter of 2023 before reopening in summer 2025, ahead of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. The presence of artificial snow systems in the area permits skiing all year round at the resort.
Architectural agency Herzog and de Meuron will carry out the renovations on Hotel Cristallo. The works will include the addition of a new extension to the structure.
Once reopened, the renovated Mandarin Oriental Cristallo, Cortina will have 83 rooms, including 30 suites offering views over the surrounding mountains. The group’s first Alpine resort will feature restaurants, bars, event spaces, and a spa and wellness centre, complete with swimming pool.
Originally built in 1901, the Art Nouveau hotel has been a popular ski resort since the 1930s and hosted many of the glitterati of the 20th century such as Frank Sinatra, Peter Sellers and Vladimir Nabokov. It has also appeared in several films over the decades. In 2021, the property was acquired by Attestor Limited.
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.
David Alhadeff, Partner at Attestor Limited
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.
James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group