Rome, September 4, 2024 – A historic icon of hospitality in Taormina has changed ownership. The Villa Diodoro Hotel, part of the Gais Hotel Group and owned by the Bambara-De Luca family, who have been hoteliers for four generations, has been acquired by the Barletta Group, a company led by CEO Paolo Barletta.
With this acquisition, the Barletta Group, which recently saw an investment from the Rovati family’s FIDM Holding, plans to undertake a significant renovation of the Villa Diodoro Hotel. Currently rated as a 4-star hotel, it will be transformed into an ultra-luxurious 5-star establishment featuring 72 rooms, equipped with every modern convenience and comfort for its guests. The hotel was originally built in the late 19th century by Giuseppe and Isabella Bambara, who were among the pioneers of hospitality in Taormina. Over the years, Villa Diodoro has been closely tied to the city’s growing reputation as a high-end tourist destination, attracting discerning visitors from around the world.
The operational management of the hotel will remain under the Bambara-De Luca family until the end of January 2025, after which the Barletta Group will begin the renovation process. The group is committed to maintaining the high standards for which the hotel is known, while also investing in innovations to further enhance the guest experience.
“I would like to thank the family and Gais Hotels Group, who have carefully preserved the heritage of Villa Diodoro over the years,” said Paolo Barletta, CEO of the Barletta Group. “Our goal is to enhance assets in strategic locations across Italy by converting them into luxury hotels, thereby expanding the high-end offerings in our country. We value the regions in which we operate, creating synergies that act as a catalyst for growth and development. Sicily is rich in art, nature, and history and deserves a top-tier hospitality sector. Taormina, with its extraordinary location, is well-positioned to support the expansion of the region’s hospitality industry. Our growth strategy in Sicily involves similar projects, which will also create future synergies with our ‘La Dolce Vita Orient Express’ offering.”
This acquisition aligns with the Group’s mission to enhance Italy’s finest hospitality assets and will allow the Barletta Group to further strengthen its presence in the luxury hospitality sector. The group will initiate an investment plan to improve the facilities and services offered, integrating the hotel into its portfolio. This new milestone is part of an ongoing expansion effort, which also includes Arsenale—a company in which the Barletta Group holds a majority stake—active in the sector through its two divisions, “Hospitality Hotel and Resort” and “Travel.” The “La Dolce Vita Orient Express” project, set to launch in the second half of 2025, will feature itineraries that include Sicily.
