ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME

The architects took the bold and contemporary Italian style typical of the jeweller, and fused it with local sensibilities. You see the use of Italian marbles such as breccia medicea in the lobby; trevi travertine in the guestrooms; complemented by green onyx from Iran in the Bulgari Spa. Designer Italian brands such as Maxalto, Flos, Flexform and B&B bring a touch of home, along with Enzo degli Angiuoni cashmere blankets and wild-wool Beni Ourain rugs from Morocco. There are Bulgari design codes, with subtle references to Roman heritage, such as the Maglia Pantheon mesh screens in the lobby; the signature eight-pronged star at the lobby entrance; and the green and real gold mosaic of the spa’s vitality pool that recall Rome’s Caracalla baths, which inspired Bulgari’s Divas’ Dream collection. Then there are the archival drawings, snapshots of celebrities in the Dolce Vita era, and vintage advertising within the rooms and the hallways. “It’s all about evoking the magic of Bulgari,” said Ursini. The resort is joined by six residential buildings of 173 sea-facing apartments and 15 private mansions, as well as Bulgari’s firstever Marina and Yacht Club with 50 berths, recreating the seaside feel of a Mediterranean village. “We want the resort to not only be a place for travellers, but also the local community to come and enjoy the spa and the restaurants, where people dress up for the evening to see and be seen,” enthused Ursini. Both Italian and Emirati conviviality is cultivated at the dining table, and the options here include Il Ristorante by three Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito who blends modern with classical Italian flavours; Il Café for Italian favourites and Arabian mezze; La Spiaggia on the beach for light meals; and the Yacht Club Restaurant for a seafood-focused Italian menu; along with six independent restaurants to open this year along the marina promenade. Among its many highlights, what made our stay truly memorable was the impeccable hospitality, especially the breakfast crew at Il Café with the simplest things such as remembering my preference for juice instead of coffee, or my favourite breads. Next stop for Bulgari Hotels & Resorts: Shanghai in March and Moscow in 2020; while Rome, Paris, New York, Beverly Hills and Tokyo are on the cards. Just like us, architect Patricia Viel is looking forward to a Roman property. Her vision: “It should be in an existing 1930s building overlooking the river—because Rome was probably the most modern city in Europe then.” We like the sound of it already.