The Excelsior Hotel Gallia Milan, one of Katara Hospitality’s flagship international investments, has been awarded a prestigious Italian tourism industry award for its pioneering design and architecture.

The hotel, which is currently undergoing a major renovation and expansion, won the “Tourism for Italy” in the “New Hospitality Structures” category which was announced at the Expo Italia Real Estate exhibition in Milan last week. The award recognises the leading tourism projects in Italy and was accepted by Studio Marco Piva, the architecture and design firm overseeing the hotel refurbishment.

Chief Executive Officer of Katara Hospitality, said: “This is a wonderful endorsement of the unique work we are currently undertaking with our partners Studio Marco Piva to further enhance this iconic hotel in Milan.

“We take our responsibilities very seriously when it comes to refurbishing well-loved properties, respecting the heritage of the local community that is often  reflected in these landmark buildings. This award recognises our vision for what will become one of the city’s leading five-star luxury hotels.”

The Excelsior Hotel Gallia Milan first opened in 1932 and is one of the “youngest” hotels amongst Katara Hospitality’s growing international investments.

Merging the architectural style of La Belle Époque of the original building, the hotel facilities are expanded by incorporating a nearby building displaying the slick design of the 21st century.  With a sophisticated contemporary Italian interior decoration, the hotel will be the perfect fit for the world’s fashion capital when it opens in the latter part of this year.

The refurbished hotel will consist of 235 rooms and suites, wellness facilities, a variety of exclusive dining options and unique conference capabilities covering over 1,000 square metres of function space.

Studio Marco Piva, a leading Italian architectural and design firm, won the bid for both the architectural plans as well as the interior design of the hotel.

Working in partnership with Katara Hospitality, Studio Marco Piva will deliver a balance between the old and the new, creating a dynamic relationship of shapes, spaces and materials that will see the hotel return to its past splendour.

“The new Excelsior Hotel Gallia complex is a tribute to the Milan lifestyle, to the unique set of dynamic elements that have always been a feature of this special city,” said Marco Piva following the award win.

“The hotel will offer an unceasing interaction of the local culture with the most diverse range of other cultures, combined with an emphasis on newness, beauty, fashion and industrial design. The project also confirms the international standards of quality and distinction of Katara Hospitality that will make the new Excelsior Gallia a benchmark of Italian luxury hospitality.”

Last week’s recognition in Italy follows a run of success for Katara Hospitality, who also announced other hotels within its portfolio have won major awards. Its Raffles Singapore property has been recognised as the Best Hotel in Asia in the ULTRA – Ultimate Luxury Travel Related Awards for the sixth consecutive year and Doha’s SharqVillage and Spa has been named among the top best 100 hotels in the world.