German hotel group Oetker Collection has announced plans to open its first ‘Masterpiece Hotel’ on the Italian island of Capri. This marks the group’s 11th hotel in its luxury portfolio, and follows the announcement of the opening of The Woodward in Geneva in Spring 2021.
The group will collaborate with owners Reuben Brothers to reinvent Capri’s first and oldest hotel, Hotel La Palma, which was originally built in 1822 as Locanda Pagano. Following an extensive renovation, the property will reopen in April 2022 and continue to pay homage to the ‘dolce vita’ lifestyle.
The transformation will see the room count decrease from 80 to 32 rooms and 18 suites, all of which will feature a private balcony or terrace. The hotel will also include a private beach club in Marina Piccola on Capri’s southern coast, a newly built pool deck, a spa with three treatment rooms and a fitness centre, and three fashion boutiques.
Hotel La Palma is located steps away from the renowned La Piazzetta in Capri Village, and situated above the famous nightclub Taverna Anema e Core, which is also owned by Reuben Brothers. The rooms and lobby interiors will be designed by Rome-based firm Delogu Architects, while New York-based Tihany Design will oversee the design of the pool, spa, restaurant and beach club.
Interiors will marry classical and heritage elements of the building with more modern design elements, featuring a colour palette of terracotta, lime green and blue. Materials such as ceramics and textiles will also be sourced in the local area.
Dining facilities will be led by Michelin-starred chef Gennaro Esposito and will include authentic Italian restaurant Gennaro’s, rooftop terrace restaurant and bar Bianca, and dining at the hotel’s private beach club La Palma Beach Club in Marina Piccola. There will also be a pool bar which “pays homage to the ‘classic Capri’ of the golden age”.
Timo Gruenert, CEO of Oetker Collection, commented on the news:
“I simply cannot think of anything more exciting than the outlook of opening a true masterpiece hotel in one of the most beautiful and glamorous destinations in the world, the island of Capri. It will be an homage to La Dolce Vita and the legacy of this legendary location – the first hotel in Capri – while reinventing Hotel La Palma to once again be at the epicentre of the island’s vibrant social scene. And as with all our masterpiece hotels, we are truly committed to creating a sense of timeless hospitality, deeply rooted in family spirit and genuine kindness.”
Jamie Reuben of Reuben Brothers added:
“We are thrilled that Hotel La Palma will be joining the prestigious Oetker Collection portfolio of hotels; a group that has, for so long, upheld the very highest standards in refined hospitality. When we acquired the property we saw its potential to become a truly world-class hotel, a vision shared by Oetker Collection. We have no doubt that Hotel La Palma will be right at home next to some of the world’s most legendary hotels and part of this glittering hotel brand, and similarly that Oetker Collection will breathe new life into this history-steeped Italian icon.”
Oetker Collection has a portfolio of luxury properties across Europe, the UK, Brazil and the Caribbean which include Le Bristol Paris, The Lanesborough in London, and Eden Rock-St Barths. Last year we reviewed Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, the collection’s renowned property in Antibes:
