View of the coastline of Capri
“There are two ways of seeing the world: one is traveling and the other, sitting on the terrace of the La Palma hotel and waiting for the world to pass in front of you”. The phrase belongs to Prince Francesco Caravita di Sirignano (1908-1998), better known as Pupetto, a high-born, handsome, friendly and spendthrift Neapolitan who, as confirmed by his epitaph, “never did anything important, but he never did bad to no one He had fun.” And Pupetto –a curious note: he was the cousin of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, the author of the Gatopardo–, who knew a bit about enjoying himself and knowing places to do it, couldn't be more right.
Lying a few steps from the main Piazzetta of the town of Capri and surrounded by lemon trees, Hotel La Palma has always been the best place on the island to enjoy watching life go by.
It was founded by Giuseppe Pagano, a notary from Capri who, according to what they say, liked to talk to people and exchange opinions and views so much that he was always willing to open his house to anyone who showed good conversational skills. If Don Pagano had lived in the 21st century, he would have turned his house into an Airbnb, but we are in 1822 and what he did was open a bed & breakfast, the Locanda Pagano, which history recognizes as the first hotel in Capri. It immediately became very popular among the artists of the time. Musicians, novelists, poets, painters, especially Germans, gathered around his large communal table in the dining room. and gave free rein to their creativity under the complacent Mediterranean sun. As grateful influencers of their time, many of them recorded their stay at the hotel in their works and others even left their art printed on the walls of the property.
This will be the terraces of the new rooms of the hotel La Palma de Capri.
But let's face it, the hotel La Palma had been surviving for decades from the income of its bohemian past and racking up disappointments on TripAdvisor.
This latest chapter, however, is also a thing of the past as the La Palma hotel** has been acquired by the multi-millionaire Reuben brothers,** owners of one of the largest fortunes in the United Kingdom, and It has just been announced that it becomes part of one of the most aristocratic families in the hotel ecosystem: the Oetker Collection, to which belong accommodation as special as Le Bristol in Paris, the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, on the Côte d'Azur, or The Lanesborough in London.
After the necessary set-up, Spritzes and bellinis will once again be served on the terraces surrounded by lemon trees on La Palma from April next year, just in time to celebrate its second centenary with new doses of glamour.
The seaside restaurant of the La Palma hotel beach club.
As he confesses to us Timo Gruenert, CEO of Oetker Collection, To Condé Nast Traveler, the company is excited about the new acquisition and plans to reimagine La Palma. They have long wanted to include an Italian hotel in their exquisite collection. “I can't imagine anything more exciting than the prospect of bringing back a gem of hospitality like this, in one of the most beautiful and glamorous destinations in the world.
The new La Palma it will have considerably fewer rooms – from 80 they will be reduced to 50 – and much more space. Eighteen of them will be suites with a balcony or terrace. Its transformation is now in the hands of the Italian Francesco Delogu, from Delogu Architecture, who will also decorate the lobby, while the New York studio Tihany Design will do the same with the restaurant, the pool, the spa and the beach club.
The Beach Club of the Hotel La Palma, located in Marina Piccola, on the south coast of the island, and open to everyone, is set to become what would have been Prince Pupetto's new favorite place to watch life go by, to anchor the yacht and go ashore for a leisurely lunch and cocktails until sunset.
The person in charge of transforming the rooms of the La Palma hotel is the Italian architect Francesco Delogu.
That the new La Palma and its beach club are essential stops on the gourmet route of Capri the chef will take care Gennaro Esposito, with two Michelin stars in his Torre del Sarracino . For the restaurant and the terrace of Gennaro's he has thought of an ** authentic Italian cuisine, without pretensions, with which he will transport us to the Capri of the 50's. **
More modern and more glamorous will be the proposal of the bar and restaurant Bianca, who will stay open late on the rooftop so that the views of the sea and the town of Capri compete with that of the starry sky.
The Bianca bar and restaurant will be on the rooftop.
As the CEO of the Oetker Collection tells us, the new La Palma it will be a tribute to la dolce vita and to the legacy of its iconic location, and the goal is once again to be the epicenter of the island's vibrant social scene.
Seen with the eyes of today, the social life of that time seems even more distant. But Gruenert sees the future with optimism. “Like me to many people, this pandemic has reminded us of what really matters and that is not spending our lives in airplanes and airports, but enjoy quality time with the people you love. We know that this current difficult situation will have long-term effects on the hospitality industry, but I think we should see this as an opportunity for our industry. Sincerity and genuine kindness are qualities that are regaining their true value and maybe from now on, hopefully, building meaningful connections is going to be more important than "the next big thing."
The bathrooms of the new La Palma are pure Capri.
For Gruenert, the future clearly points towards conscious, sustainable travel, “That connect us with family and nature and improve our well-being” and continue towards “The return of the great classics. After these uncertain times travelers will want to return to their favorite places of all time instead of spending their money and their vacations in a hotel that they are not familiar with. We will prefer to stay in hotels of brands that we trust, brands that provide them with safety and the highest standards of hygiene and service”.
The acquisition of La Palma and the beginning of the reform It is not the only novelty of Oetker for this season. As we advanced you weeks ago in What's new? The hotels that will arrive in 2021, this spring we will see how The Woodward, in Geneva, has turned out after the meticulous renovation to which the famous designer Pierre-Yves Rochon has subjected it.
Façade of The Woodward, in Geneva, part of the Oetker Collection chain, which will reopen this spring.
"Is about a hotel in post-Haussmann style dating from 1901”, Gruenert explains. “It is located on Quai Wilson, right on the shores of the lake. Beyond the historic facade, guests of The Woodward will find classic and contemporary interiors, an ultra-stylish sanctuary with spectacular lake and mountain views from all 26 guest rooms, two world-class dining experiences (L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Le Jardinier) and a spa, the Maison Guerlain Wellness Institute, with the largest indoor pool in Geneva”.
Sure Prince Pupetto would have loved to see the world from here too.
Aerial view of the La Palma hotel beach club