Beyond the stay: inside Rocco Forte Hotels’ world of thoughtful luxury

Words: Agatha Zarzycki

If anyone has perfected the art of sincere and refined service, it’s family-managed Rocco Forte Hotels. Its Suites & Beyond programme is less about grandeur (though there’s plenty of it), and more about generosity, with a warm and genuine guest experience that makes you wonder, is this even possible?

It starts with distinctive design in every suite that captures a city’s heart and character, thoughtful touches such as personalised gifts (we’re talking limited-edition silk scarves and signature scents), and rare local discoveries you couldn’t come across elsewhere – such as designing your own tartan eveningwear at The Balmoral. Everyone is included and valued: there’s even a Throne Away from Home programme for four-legged companions.

Here’s why Rocco Forte Hotels and its Suites & Beyond programme is everything we need right now.

Family knows best

With a noble lineage in hospitality that dates back to 1911, Rocco Forte Hotels has a greater understanding than most of what it takes to create a stay that feels like an act of individual care. In 1996, Sir Rocco Forte and his sister Olga Polizzi (now the Director of Design) first established Rocco Forte Hotels with The Balmoral in Edinburgh, gradually and painstakingly accruing other properties across Europe that met their exacting standards of location and luxury. Today, the family-run business (which includes Sir Rocco Forte’s daughters Lydia and Irene and son Charles) looks after more than 15 exquisite hotels across Europe – all of which (unsurprisingly) make you genuinely feel as if you’re part of the Rocco Forte Hotels family.

Exceptional design

From Villa Igiea in Palermo to The Charles Hotel in Munich, each Rocco Forte Hotel is a distinct reflection and curation of its city. The Suites & Beyond programme takes this to the next level, pairing magical, meaningful moments with suites designed so thoughtfully that they’re exceptional experiences in themselves.

Take the Nijinsky Suite at Hotel de Russie in Rome, where goddess-like statues in the entrance and bold red walls mirror the interiors of an aristocratic Roman residence. Also in Rome, a private elevator leads to the spectacular Suite de la Ville with Terrace at Hotel de la Ville, where guests enjoy sole use of two beautiful outdoor terraces with stunning views. Just like the people who spend time in them, no two suites (and no two stays) are ever the same.

Moments that transform into memories

Thoughtful touches are everything, and the Suites & Beyond programme makes sure of it. Like a beloved relative, guests are greeted with a drink on arrival – Champagne, an aperitivo, a cup of tea (depending on preference). For travellers flying in early, coffee and breakfast are warm and waiting, and there are light bites for late night arrivals.

Upon entering your suite, the joyful gestures continue, from handwritten notes to freshly cut flowers perfuming the intimate space. Topping it all off are personalised welcome gifts, such as beautiful pillowcases embroidered with guests’ initials (it doesn’t take long to wonder if you actually do live here).

Emotion-centred experiences

Playing a large part in the Suites & Beyond programme is the rich discovery of culture and connection: Brown’s Hotel in London grants VIP access to the Royal Academy of Arts. Hotel Savoy in Florence collaborates with Teatro del Maggio Musicale, so guests can enjoy performances at one of Italy’s leading opera houses. Also on the cards are private exhibition viewings and concerts, breakfasts at Unesco World Heritage Sites and one-to-one experiences with artisans.

Return to your hotel for an afternoon tea ritual with a twist (imagine traditional tea and scones, and the added sparkle of Champagne). Come nighttime, there might even be a book of local poetry or stories to take home waiting by your bed.

A breadth of benefits

The Suites & Beyond programme is split into two tiers: Suites and private apartment-like Forte Suites. The first tier offers a one-way airport transfer and in-suite check-in, and there’s no need to even unpack – that’s what the wardrobe concierge service is there for. A gorgeous breakfast is included daily, with the option of enjoying it from your elegant suite, or the social buzz of the restaurant, plus there’s a complimentary in-room bar.

Bespoke cultural immersion – theatre tickets, museum access – awaits grownups, while tiny and teen jet-setters also receive family perks, from the adorable Teddy Turndown Service at Brown’s Hotel in London, to a thrilling bespoke treasure hunt across Brussels at Hotel Amigo.

Think it can’t get better? The Forte Suite tier offers all the above and return airport transfers, a bespoke drinks selection and next-level cultural and lifestyle experiences, spanning everything from personalised spa treatments to a private three-hour guided tour of the Prada Foundation (with an aperitif, naturally) at The Carlton in Milan.

Win a two-night stay for two at Brown’s, a Rocco Forte Hotel, in London, worth more than £5,000

Agatha Christie, Theodore Roosevelt and Emperor Haile Selassie are just a few A-lister guests of Brown’s Hotel – the oldest in London, time travelling all the way back to the 1830s. Set in luxurious central Mayfair, this elevated and welcoming five-star stay combines 11 Georgian townhouses, and has history in spades. Discover the original stained-glass window at the Donovan Bar (named after celebrity photographer Terence Donovan) and the Alexander Graham Bell room, where it is said the first telephone call in London took place.

Behind the room designs is Olga Polizzi: expect lively pops of colour, stylish local art and modern comforts. Each suite is a decadent dream, but a favourite is the two-bedroom Clementi Suite, which celebrates Italian-born pianist and composer Muzio Clementi.

Picturing yourself basking in classical European grandeur? Enter to win a two-night stay for two in the Clementi Suite (or any other Forte Suite), with daily breakfast at Charlie’s restaurant, worth more than £5,000. City breaks perfection.
Promoter: Rocco Forte Hotels

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