Vistosi lamps tell the Dolce Vita story inside the new InterContinental Ambasciatori Palace Rome.
A project curated by Veronica Givone, IA Interior Architects

Europe regularly witnesses the opening of new luxury hotels, especially during the summer season. However, for years Rome has been largely excluded from this trend. All that has changed in 2023, a year of great turmoil in the hospitality industry in the Eternal City.

During 2023, Rome saw the opening of several five-star hotels, thus experiencing a renaissance of sorts in hospitality. New openings include names such as Bulgari, Six Senses, and InterContinental, while Rosewood, Edition, Nobu, Baccarat, Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, and ROMEO will open their doors between this year and next 2025.

However, one recently opened hotel stands out for its careful restoration of a historic building: the majestic InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace, opening May 1, 2023.

Located on the Via della Dolce Vita, the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace, a luxury brand of IHG Hotels & Resorts, has reopened after a major renovation that lasted two and a half years and cost about 45 million euros.

The building houses 160 rooms, upscale dining with three distinct outlets-the Scarpetta NYC restaurant, the lounge bar Anita, and the striking rooftop bar Charlie’s on the top floor, completely covered in glass and with breathtaking views, a wellness and fitness area, and a meeting room-and presents itself to guests in a totally revamped guise, characterized by a sophisticated classic style but without excess.
A whispered contemporary luxury, far from overdesign, in which the extreme attention to detail and the use of excellent made-in-Italy supplies, as well as skilled all-Italian craftsmanship, stand out.

The renovation project was supervised by IA Interior Architects, particularly by Veronica Givone, managing director of hospitality, who drew inspiration for the concept of the luxury hotel from the genius loci and Via Veneto, with its reference to the dolce vita, best represented by Federico Fellini’s film of the same name.

Vistosi was chosen as a supplier for decorative lighting in many rooms. Armonia in wall sconce version finds space in the meeting and restaurant room, Giogali in amber suspension version in the main hall in front of the grand staircase, Jube both table and suspension in the reception areas.

The Giogali collectionis a tribute to the flexibility and elegance of glass. Designed by architect Angelo Mangiarotti in the 1960s, this series features Murano glass elements manually hooked together to form luminous structures that seem to float in space. Configurations can range from simple suspensions to complex installations, making each piece a statement of personality. Giogali is aimed at an audience that appreciates iconic design and history. These chandeliers are perfect for sophisticated domestic settings, but they find their greatest expression in public spaces such as luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants, and concert halls, where they can become true focal points of the decor.

Vistosi not only illuminates spaces through its collections, it celebrates the timeless beauty of Murano glass, creating unforgettable atmospheres. Each piece is a testament to Italian craftsmanship, designed for those who settle for less than perfection and seek lighting that is both functional and stunningly beautiful as evidenced by the collection Armonia which blends contemporary elements with a rich history in glassmaking, including traditional techniques such as the balloton and the straight and twisted rigadin.
One of the most fascinating new additions to this collection is an oversized pendant, featuring an oval-shaped frame supporting four colorful, finely crafted cylinders of pure crystal. This new arrangement offers a perfect combination of visual and tactile perceptions, creating a decorative and emotional impact of great intensity.
The glassmaking techniques used in the collection recall the tradition and craftsmanship of Murano. The balloton, which gives the glass a crisscrossed relief for a unique optical effect; the rigadin, a traditional striped, straight and twisted pattern that used to adorn Murano glass furnishings in the past to create light refraction effects; and finally, the new elongated rhombus pattern.
The combination of colors and craft techniques used make the light diffused by the Armonia collection extremely enveloping, both in the pendant and wall-mounted versions.

The Jube collection evokes an evocative vintage flavor through four types of lamps: suspension, wall, table and floor, all equipped with LED light source. Characterized by timeless elegance, Jube is distinguished by its refined finishes and attention to detail. Jube lamps feature blown glass diffusers available in three sizes and five fascinating colors: smoked, burnt earth, antique green, crystal and amethyst. In addition, the two larger sizes offer the possibility of juxtaposing a second white glass diffuser, creating an effect of visual continuity and harmony. Metallic finishes, including satin gold, satin steel, and now matte black, add a touch of sophistication to the collection. Jube stands out for its versatility, adapting perfectly to different types of environments and styles thanks to its essential and elegant design. The use of LED technology ensures efficient and high-quality lighting, helping to create a cozy and refined atmosphere.

Veronica Givone says, “I fell in love with the building from the moment I saw it in 2018. Since then, the entire team has worked hard to renovate, design, curate and create the perfect harmony for guests to experience the timeless elegance of Italian craftsmanship.”

Preserving ninety percent of the original structure, the project minimized environmental impact and prioritized sustainability by removing gas tanks buried in the 1940s and minimizing the use of unsustainable materials.

The InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace thus stands out as an example of responsible design and construction in the hospitality industry, keeping alive the historic legacy of the Eternal City and celebrating Italian craftsmanship.

Click here to explore the project

Click here to read an interview with the designer