The private beach of Borto Santandrea on the Amalfi Coast.

Courtesy Autentico

Authentic has become a buzz word in the travel industry in recent years as visitors increasingly seek unique and immersive experiences, the search for truly new itineraries, as travelers reevaluate what they see and do, where to dine and most importantly, where to go have to do stay. This pursuit of the authentic, among other changes in travelers’ tastes, has meant a renewed interest in hotels with strong ties to their local culture, which may include historic structures and historic buildings that are often privately owned.

If you are planning a trip to Italy in 2022 (or earlier) you can find some of the most adorable of these sites by looking at the hotels that are part of the Authentic (autentico means authentic in Italian) collection. Founded in 2015 by Beatriz Gimeno and Mario Cardone, who held leading positions in iconic properties such as Porto Ercoles Il Pellicano and Ischias Termi Manzi, the now 18-strong network includes locations from the Italian Alps to coastal paradises such as Amalfi and Sardinia. “We decided to put together a group of properties that share certain values ​​and characteristics,” explains Gimeno, why she and Cardone founded Autentico. (The company provides sales and marketing agencies to its members.)

Hotels have to be family owned to be part of Autentico, says Gimeno. “Most of them are in Italy. But many don’t have time to market or advertise. Based on our experience with luxury real estate, we understand how these hotels work. “

The Ca ‘Nigra Lagoon Resort in Venice.

Courtesy Autentico

A deluxe room at Ca ‘Nigra.

Courtesy Autentico

The properties must also offer luxury service (five or 4 star superior rating), a good location, wellness or fitness options, and a little more intangible assets such as the ability to make guests feel at home and to offer what Gimeno calls a “wow experience”.

Breakfast on a terrace with sea views in Borgo Santandrea in Amalfi.

Courtesy Autentico

A bedroom in the Borgo Santandrea.

Courtesy Autentico

What excites a guest is of course different and many hotels can arrange memorable experiences, but Autentico members come up with some tempting offers. Staying at the new five-star Borgo Santandrea on the Amalfi Coast allows you to spend an afternoon on the property’s private sandy beach (a nice perk as some of the beaches along the coast are pebbly) after taking a boat to the Grotta dello Smeraldo. When you visit Relais Il Falconiere & Spa in Cortona, Tuscany, a 17th one Michelin star winery. In Genoa, the hotel was able to arrange a very special afternoon tea during a stay at the Grand Hotel Savoia – with a marquess in the Palazzo Cattaneo-Adorno, one of the Rolli palaces that have been declared a World Heritage Site.

The Relais Il Falconiere & Spa in Cortona.

Courtesy Autentico

The restaurant was recently awarded a Michelin star.

Courtesy of Autentico

Autentico not only offers a range of urban and rural destinations, but also a selection of small and large properties. For example, the Martius Private Suites in Rome has eight accommodations, while the Grand Hotel Savoia in Genoa has 117 rooms. The newest Autentico member, the 19th-century Grand Hotel et Di Milan, is one of the larger hotels in the collection, with 95 rooms plus suites and a rich history reflecting the city’s rich cultural heritage. The location can’t be beat – it’s just a short walk to the Quadrilatero d’Oro or Golden Quadrilateral shopping district with shops from leading Italian labels, the famous Galleria and the Teatro La Scala. Given this proximity to the large opera house, it is not surprising that the composer Giusppe Verdi and the legendary soprano Maria Callas once stayed here.

The pool of the Golfo dei Poeti Relais & Spa in Montemarcello.

Courtesy Autentico

Before the pandemic, Gimeno said the majority of Autentico’s clientele were from abroad. This year, she said the hotels had “many domestic guests as well as customers from Central and Eastern Europe and France. For European travelers, the numbers were good as many of them were able to travel by car, ”she explains. But she was also pleased that the hotels “had more Americans than expected who went to the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany and Rome. In general, it was a good summer, also for city hotels, with some properties hitting the 2019 records. “

The roof of the Château Monfort in Milan.

Courtesy of Autentico

To further personalize the guest experience, Gimeno says Autentico is working on a number of itineraries that span the different hotel locations. “We call them inspirations,” she says. “They can be modified according to the needs of the traveler. Soon we will start the routes for the winter season in cities and in the mountains. “

Gimeno says that Autentico’s goal in the future is to remain a manageable size. “We don’t want it to get too big,” she says. The maximum – 20 to 25 properties – would be ideal. We want to be big enough and small enough to offer great destination services. “