Starwood Hotels adds four European properties to Luxury Collection® portfolio

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Starwood Hotels announced last week its ongoing Luxury Collection® portfolio expansion in Europe with the addition of four new properties – Augustine in Prague, Caresse Resort & Spa in Bodrum, Falisia Resort & Spa in Portopiccolo and the Grand Hotel River Park in Bratislava.The announcement follows news of Starwood’s $300 million (£192 million) expansion in North America, which will take the number of Luxury Collection® properties past 100 hotels globally by the end of the year. This effort is made in tandem with the ongoing investment of more than $500 million (£320 million) by Starwood and hotel owners to restore some of the most iconic Luxury Collection® hotels in Europe.

Augustine, Prague (Opened June 30)
Set against a varied architecture of Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic styles, the hotel’s elegant interiors reflect the building’s monastic history, complete with furnishings inspired by the 1930s Czech cubism movement. The hotel also features an intimate ballroom, four meeting rooms, fitness centre and spa.

Caresse, Bodrum (Opened July 1)
Marking the entry of Starwood and The Luxury Collection brand into Bodrum, Turkey’s most prestigious resort destination, Caresse Resort & Spa features 84 contemporary rooms, suites and residences with panoramic views of the tranquil bay. Caresse offers five culinary venues including all-day dining restaurant: Glass and Glass Lounge, La Plage beach restaurant and a sushi bar.

Falisia, Portopiccolo (Opened July 18)
Falisia Resort & Spa is located in the exclusive Portopiccolo Sistiana beachfront development in northeastern Italy on the Adriatic coast. The idyllic resort will feature 65 elegant rooms and suites, a private beach with an infinity pool, two restaurants serving gourmet and healthy cuisine, a lounge bar, a dedicated spa and three meeting rooms.

Grand Hotel River Park, Bratislava (Opening August 1)
Designed by the award-winning Dutch architect Erick van Egeraat, the prestigious hotel is owned by Best Hotel Properties, which will also take over management of the hotel when it joins The Luxury Collection® in August. Grand Hotel River Park features 231 rooms and suites, two restaurants and a lobby bar, an indoor pool, as well as a fitness centre and spa, two ballrooms and five meeting rooms.

Daniel Fountain / 21.07.2015

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

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Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

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Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

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