A summer holiday of mosaics and memories

Design destinations and the ultra-chic holiday spots favoured by the world’s celebrities generally go hand in hand. This summer, as we get into the holiday mood we are taking an armchair-style whirlwind tour of the top destinations around the globe and checking-in at some of the iconic hotels where Fantini Mosaici’s handcrafted mosaics set the spaces apart and add to the aura of refined sophistication.

Palazzo Versace - Grand Lisboa Palace hotel complex Macau, China

One of the latest projects in Fantini Mosaici's hospitality portfolio is the new Palazzo Versace at the prestigious Grand Lisboa Palace hotel complex in Macau. The grand opening of the third Palazzo Versace on the Chinese resort island was attended by leading figures from the world of fashion.

Upon arrival, one is greeted by scintillating mosaic floors and walls, all handcrafted by Italian master mosaicists using ancient techniques. Guests are immersed in a surreal world of handcrafted mosaic tiles in various shapes, sizes and colours, epitomising the contemporary spirit of Versace. From the elaborate floral pink reception area to the five-star bedrooms, guests enjoy a unique celebration of artisanal mosaic artworks. One of the star attractions is the magical spa, where rejuvenating treatments are offered in rooms lined from floor to ceiling with jewel-like mosaic tesserae, enhancing the ultimate pampering sensation.

The two indoor and outdoor swimming pools are similarly adorned with thousands of mosaic pieces, creating a powerful Chinese pattern designed to generate good luck and longevity.

1, Place Vendome, Paris, France

Earlier this year, luxury jewellery group Chopard opened its first hotel, called 1 Place Vendôme, in the heart of Paris, featuring artisanal mosaics. Originally built in 1723 by Pierre Perrin, the 15-room property underwent a no-expenses-spared multi-million Euro renovation by interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon to create an exclusive and intimate private club reserved exclusively for the clientele of the luxury jewellery maison.

The lavishly decorated interior features a mesmerising mosaic wall mural by Fantini Mosaici in the glass-roofed Winter Garden. Fantini’s master artisans created an exquisite handmade accent wall depicting a colourful jungle scene of peacocks, butterflies, monkeys and other animals in a luscious natural setting. Inspired by Chopard’s ‘Animal World’ collection, the rich and colourful mosaic features thousands of hand-cut jewel-like tesserae in a kaleidoscope of shades including sapphire, ruby and emerald.

Splendido Hotel, Portofino, Italy

Experience the epitome of bespoke handcrafted Italian surfaces at Splendido, a renowned Belmond Hotel in Portofino, the premier holiday destination on the Ligurian coast of Italy. Master craftspeople have collaborated with esteemed designer Martin Brudnizki and renowned Italian landscape architect Marco Bay to create a stunning 370-metre pink pebble stone pool terrace. This relaxing space is adorned with strategically placed hand-cut mosaic designs featuring seashells, hippopotamuses, starfish and dolphins. Join some of the world’s most glamourous VVIPS at the Splendido poolside this summer and marvel at the beauty of the mosaic and pebble stone craftsmanship that adds an extra touch of class to the iconic summer destination.

Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice, Italy

A legendary retreat located on the Venetian island of Giudecca, Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, is enjoying a new romance with the world’s celebrities, following a major renovation orchestrated by the American architect extraordinaire Peter Marino – the world’s most sought-after architect for luxury brands.

Since its opening in the late 1950s, Hotel Cipriani has remained synonymous with the high life, offering an abundance of luxury and elegance. This latest renovation of the property by prolific designer Marino includes extensive flooring handcrafted by Fantini Mosaici to further enhance the typically Italian interior, where Venetian glass chandeliers, silk carpets and the world’s finest Italian fabrics have been combined to create a truly indulgent environment.

Fantini’s master craftspeople created traditional elegant Venetian terrazzo flooring for the hotel suites, and also hand-cut and placed each piece of mosaic in the more avant-garde, boldly coloured restrooms in the public areas. The wavy pattern on the floors conjures up images of Venice – such as the waves of the Grand Canal and the shiny black gondolas that crisscross the waters.

Hotel Cipriani is the perfect place to enjoy happy hour peach Bellinis in the Casanova Gardens, where the legendary lover courted his lovers, or an unforgettable dinner in Oro, the one-star Michelin restaurant, in the company of contemporary celebrities like George Clooney. Additionally, you can become more familiar with the bespoke surfaces by Fantini that contribute to the experience…

Hotel Villa Làrio resort, Pognana, Lake Como, Italy

The opening of the all-suite Hotel Villa Làrio in Pognana, on the eastern shore of Italy’s Lake Como, brought a chic new flair of modernity and heritage to the area, which is favoured by global celebrities including George and Amal Clooney. Fantini Mosaici is much coveted for its craftsmanship and expertise in the creation of majestic flooring for palatial Italian properties.

Guests at the luxurious Villa Làrio complex, a trio of three properties including two exquisitely renovated 19th-century Patrician villas – Il Palazzo and Villa Bianca – have been treated to a refined new look – which is enhanced by beautiful handcrafted inlaid mosaic floors, mostly featuring classical patterns with rosettes and floral accents, in the suites and public areas. The fresh new artisanal mosaic surfaces add to the refined atmosphere that is a blend of contemporary and classical architecture and which exudes throughout the picture-perfect properties.

In winter or summer, this is a dreamy vacation haven where art and hospitality coexist in one harmonious environment.

The Red Room, The Connaught Hotel, London, UK

One of the top bars in the British capital is The Red Room at The Connaught in the heart of Mayfair. Renowned for mosaic and terrazzo surfaces in the luxury hospitality sector, Fantini Mosaici was enlisted to create and install marble mosaic floors and columns in hand-cut and hand-laid creamy mosaic, complementing the colour palette of soft creams, blush pinks and pearl blues. Designed by well-known interior architect Bryan O’Sullivan, The Red Room provides guests with a unique ambience in which to enjoy an apéritif or post-dinner nightcap.

Faena Miami Beach hotel, USA

Powerful and evocative hand-cut mosaics by Fantini Mosaici are the main feature of the extravagant lobby of the Faena hotel in Miami Beach. From the outset, owner and modern art collector Alan Faena had a clear vision to give the 1940s beachfront property a theatrical makeover. He commissioned 'Moulin Rouge' director Baz Luhrmann and his wife Catherine Martin, an Oscar-winning costume and production designer, to design the premises.

Decadent red, turquoise and gold fixtures and accessories are found throughout the Art Deco-meets-Broadway interior, including specially handcrafted mosaic features for the jaw-dropping lobby. The Italian-made mosaics create a bold pathway between the enormous gold columns, while elaborate marble mosaic wall murals line the large space. Fantini also created the iconic Faena ‘F’ logo in mosaic for the main entrance.

Since opening in 2015, the Faena in Miami has shaken the local hospitality scene with its theatrical approach, attracting many visitors who come just to appreciate the art collection, including the mosaic wall murals. The Faena Miami Beach continues to win hospitality awards and most recently it made its presence on the Oprah Daily’s Hotel O-Wards with Oprah naming it as one of the world’s top resort further adding to its popularity among the celebrity set.

Palazzo Versace Dubai hotel and resort, Dubai, UAE

The top spot for the fashion-forward set in Dubai is the Palazzo Versace Dubai, which offers stunning views of the Dubai Creek. The 215-room hotel, designed by Donatella Versace as a tribute to Gianni Versace, features mosaics inspired by 16th-century neoclassical architecture, all made exclusively by Fantini Mosaici.

The masterpiece of the five-star hotel is the breathtaking 1,000-square metre lobby floor, made entirely from artistic mosaic in the exuberant classical style favoured by Gianni Versace. Throughout the lavish property, guests experience the brand’s signature style, from the Giardino Restaurant to the spa, all embellished with bespoke Italian mosaics.

Additionally, Fantini Mosaici created the hardscaping at the main entrance, complete with a pebble stone rendition of a Medusa, synonymous with the famous fashion maison. The interior of Palazzo Versace Dubai was inspired by the world’s first Palazzo Versace on the Australian Gold Coast, where Fantini Mosaici’s artisans crafted elaborate mosaic works for one of the world’s first luxury hotels created by a fashion designer.

ME Milan - Il Duca, Milan, Italy

Upon entering the designed-focused five-star hotel, ME Milan - Il Duca, close to the Duomo, guests enjoy handmade terrazzo floors designed by Fantini Mosaici artisans. The soft beige and ecru interior provide a soothing palette for this trendy lifestyle hotel. Designed by Italian architectural firm Arassociati, the project pays homage to the masters of Milanese design. The elevator lobbies on each floor have unique rug-like patterns featuring handmade mosaics. Terrazzo flooring is a significant feature in the lounges and bar areas, which all feature a relaxed, cosmopolitan vibe.

Four Seasons Hotel, Milan, Italy

The Zelo bistro and restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel in Milan is another destination in Milan where guests can savour Italian cuisine in the presence of Fantini Mosaici flooring. Located on the grounds of a former 15th-century convent, the luxury hotel is in the centre of Milan's fashion district and is regularly frequented by the world's top designers. Having first restored the floor for the inauguration of the Four Seasons’ European debut in 1993, Fantini Mosaici was recently invited to yet again revive the Venetian terrazzo floor, which is embellished with hand-cut mosaic inserts, making it a stand-out space for design-savvy clientele.

Villa Casa Casuarina, USA

Villa Casa Casuarina, the opulent, mosaic-embellished former mansion of the late fashion designer Gianni Versace, has since his passing been transformed into a luxurious boutique hotel. The highlight is a spectacular swimming pool featuring over one million gold mosaic tesserae.

In the early 90s, Fantini Mosaici was commissioned by Versace to decorate the villa with a lavish, palatial feel. The most elaborate feature is the ‘Million Mosaic Pool’, based on a scarf designed by Versace. Thousands of 24-karat gold mosaic tesserae were imported from Italy and laid in the pool in the Mosaic Garden. Scarf patterns selected by Versace were also recreated by the mosaicists for the floors of three bedrooms. The dramatically decorated rooms, courtyards and reception areas were extensively adorned with mosaics, pebble stone and Venetian terrazzo. Versace’s Medusa logo, in mosaic and pebble stone, is prominently featured throughout.

Today, the hotel is one of the most photographed ‘homes’ in the United States and certainly one worth visiting this summer.