Arsenale Spa, part of Gruppo Barletta, secured a new partner to invest on the luxury Italian hospitality market. Being a major partner of the Orient Express project in Italy, it will allow further development around the brand.

Gruppo Barletta has been working and investing in hospitality since 1985 with the opening of its first hotel in Italy. In 1993, the group created a Hotel Development and Management Company. 30 years later, Gruppo Barletta is one of the partners with Accor S.A., Trenitalia-Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato and Fondazione FS to open the first Orient Express Hotel in Roma.

Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. decided to invest 300 million euros alongside with the Italian group and its dedicated company Arsenale Group created in 2020 to develop its activities in the Italian luxury hospitality sector. Orient- Express Hotel de La Minerva in Rome will be part of the properties supported by the new investor.

While launching this new partnership in December 2021, both Arsenale S.p.A and Accor’s CEOs were enthusiastic.

Paolo Barletta, CEO of Arsenale S.p.A explained: “It is a great honour and privilege to work with Orient Express, one of the most prestigious luxury brands in the world. This agreement marks a new stage for our La Dolce Vita trains – a mark of trust and esteem that enrichces the Italian tourist offer. We will take travelers to discover new itineraries, to unique places where they will be able to live a ‘Made In Italy’ experience with a warmth entirely our own. The journey itself becomes the destination and Italy has never been so close and sensational.”

Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO Accor, added: “At Accor, we consider it an immense privilege to re-launch the historic Orient Express brand for passionate and discerning travelers. These trains offer a new vision of luxury travel that is beyond our imagination. Our association with Arsenale Group has opened up new horizons in perfect harmony with the heritage and philosophy of Orient Express and marks our constant desire to keep moving forward.”