The agreement, made official on November 22, 2025, brings the first private Italian hotel group to operate in Switzerland for the first time, opening a new chapter for one of the region's most iconic structures.
Immersed in over 25 hectares of natural park on the hills overlooking Lugano, the Collina d'Oro Resort & SPA For years, it has been synonymous with refined hospitality, well-being, and connection with nature. A place characterized by a particularly favorable microclimate, celebrated even by Hermann Hesse, who found inspiration and serenity in these hills in the final decades of his life. Today, this natural and cultural heritage is intertwined with a development strategy that firmly targets international luxury markets. The resort offers 44 rooms, including 28 suites, featuring large windows that foster a constant connection between interior and exterior. Completing the offerings is a spa spanning over 1.000 square meters, a fitness area, and a restaurant dedicated to contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, elements that respond to an increasingly demanding demand for regenerative and personalized stay experiences.
The agreement with Starhotels Collezione, defined as commercial in nature, does not entail a change in direct management or a loss of the resort's identity. Ownership and operational autonomy remain with H-Food, a company led by Marcello Forti and owner of HCH SA, which manages the property. Starhotels will support the resort in promotion, marketing, communications, sales, and revenue management activities, as well as integrating the reservation system and the I AM STAR loyalty program.
"We are delighted to bring Starhotels to Switzerland for the first time," said Elisabetta Fabri, President and CEO of the group, emphasizing how the operation leverages the experience gained over the years in high-end hospitality and strengthens Starhotels' role as a hub for outstanding properties seeking a solid partner for growth. The addition of Collina d'Oro Resort & SPA also strengthens the Collection's luxury resort & wellness segment, already present in some of the most prestigious international destinations.
For Marcello Forti, CEO of H-Food and a key figure in the development of the Stendhal Group, the agreement represents a natural strategic evolution. "With Starhotels, we share profound values such as attention to detail, respect for tradition, and a focus on innovation," Forti explained, emphasizing how the collaboration ushers in a new era, marked by vision and ambition, for an iconic hotel in a unique location like Lugano.
The transaction is part of a growing business ecosystem connected to Forti. Stendhal Group, the restaurant business he leads, closed 2025 with aggregate revenues of €15 million, a significant increase from €9,5 million in 2024 and €4,5 million in 2023.
Casa Stendhal will open in Ticino's capital city in February, within the Collina d'Oro Resort & SPA, marking the group's official entry into the Canton of Ticino and strengthening the bond between hotel hospitality and high-end dining.
From a local perspective, the arrival of Starhotels has also been welcomed by tourism institutions. According to Lugano Region, the presence of a prestigious international hotel group helps strengthen the destination's positioning in foreign markets and in the luxury segment, generating a multiplier effect capable of attracting new investments and qualified operators.
Starhotels currently boasts 34 properties with over 4.500 rooms in Italy, Europe, and the United States, with a presence in major international capitals. The addition of Collina d'Oro Resort & SPA to the Collection adds a destination strongly focused on wellness, nature, and the art of fine living—elements increasingly central to the choices of high-end travelers.
