Dusit spa to open in Florence

"It is of great importance to us to bring to Italy the famous tradition of hospitality and kindness of Thai culture. We believe the combination of our two cultures will generate extraordinary levels of beauty and service which will make Il Salviatino a unique property," said Marcello Pigozzo, CEO of Italian hotel chain.

Chanin Donavanik, CEO of Dusit International, has recently signed a management contract with Mr. Pigozzo today. Pigozzo said the group bought the old castle and turned it into the hotel for 2.3 billion Baht. All luxury hotels in Europe offer a spa experience, so competition will be tough, he said. "The group wants to stand out from the others by offering Thai hospitality and service and Dusit International is the right partner."

The hotel, now called Il Salviatino, snuggles in the hills of Fiesole, seven kilometers from the center of Florence, in a vast, 50,000-squaremeter Tuscan natural park. With views of Florence and the Tuscan hills, it features 61 rooms and suites - each designed with luxury amenities and facilities and furnished in comforting colors.

The Devarana Spa at Il Salviatino occupies 600sqm with five fully equipped treatment rooms and suites, and 14 Devarana Deluxe rooms specially designed to bring personalized luxury and comfort of spa services to the hotel rooms. "Dusit International wants to build the best spa in the best hotel in Europe. It is part of our long-term investment in the continent," Chanin said.

Wipawadee Sirimongkolkasem, managing director of Devarana Spa, said Devarana has established an exceptional reputation within Thailand and Asia for operating deluxe spas and Italy is a selected destination for the group.

Devarana Spas are already doing business in Dusit International's five-star hotels in Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai (dusitD2) and Manila.

The next spa will appear in Cairo in Egypt this year.