GABRIELE FEDELI, CORPORATE F&B DIRECTOR OF LUNGARNO COLLECTION, DESCRIBES THE VISION OF THE LUNGARNO COLLECTION: BETWEEN ITALIAN STYLE, TAILORED HOSPITALITY, AND THE TIMELESS CHARM OF FERRAGAMO HOMES.
Lungarno Collection and the Portrait brand are synonymous with style and elegance. How do you build such a high-profile international reputation?
With vision, consistency, and unwavering attention to our guests. Every detail—welcome, service, tone, cuisine—expresses our vision of hospitality: Italian at heart, yet capable of speaking to the world. Only through consistency, listening, and a tailored approach can we consolidate our position of excellence.
Michele Bönan's hotels are unique. How much does design impact the guest experience? Design is a defining language. Bönan's spaces reflect the spirit of Lungarno Collection and contribute to the F&B experience: captivating spaces, exquisite materials, and a harmonious balance of light and volume. Beauty becomes an essential part of the narrative.
How do you manage leadership in a luxury reality like this? I believe in leadership that values people. I work to build motivated, responsible, and engaged teams. In luxury, it's not enough to meet standards: they must be reinterpreted every day. Our task is also emotional and cultural: those who feel part of the brand convey authenticity.
Luxury today is discreet and personalized. How do you interpret it? Today, luxury is about time, attention, and authenticity. Thoughtful gestures, refined settings, attentive yet unobtrusive service. It's the human connection—a smile, a word, a thoughtful gesture—that transforms a stay into a memorable experience.
How do you select and train the professionals who represent the brand? We seek attitude, empathy, and passion before experience. Training is ongoing and focused on the individual. We value a sense of belonging, attention to detail, and customer service: this creates an authenticity that guests immediately perceive.
What experiences have influenced your view of hospitality? My career has been—and continues to be—a fascinating journey, with each stage enriching my vision of hospitality. I've been fortunate to work with outstanding professionals from the very beginning, who have taught me the importance of detail and personalization. Among my most formative experiences: the Ritz in London, where I learned the value of international engagement; my 12 years at the Four Seasons Florence, which taught me to manage complex operations with absolute care; and the task forces for the openings in Dubai, Seoul, Casablanca, and Athens, which introduced me to truly global hospitality. For five years at Lungarno Collection, I've interacted daily with diverse environments—from the Michelin-starred restaurant to the rooftop bar—contributing to a contemporary vision of hospitality. Opening Portrait Milano was an exciting challenge, allowing me to refine a concept of modern, inclusive luxury consistent with the brand's DNA.
How did your hotels' lifestyle offerings come about? It stems from the desire to bring the hotel to life as a destination. Every bar and restaurant is integrated into the story of the place. From the Michelin-starred excellence of Borgo San Jacopo in Florence to the contemporary cuisine of 10_11 in Milan, every offering is the result of a collaborative effort: concept, design, service, and storytelling are perfectly aligned with the brand.
From fragrances to in-room items: how do you choose tailor-made amenities and services?Every detail speaks the language of authenticity and quality. We select excellent, sustainable, and locally sourced partners. Whether it's spirits, chocolate, or amenities, nothing is left to chance: the goal is to offer an experience consistent with our style, transforming your stay into a treasured memory.
