Sir Rocco Forte knows a thing or two about running hotels, having grown up in the business and headed one of world's largest and best known groups. Starting again from scratch after the hostile take-over of Trusthouse Forte was a challenge but presented the hotelier with a unique opportunity to pursue a personal quest to establish a hand-picked collection of luxury hotels, with the emphasis on attention to detail, quality and service. That was 10 years ago, starting with the Balmoral in Edinburgh. Today, with the focus very much on Europe, there are 11 properties, including the award-winning Savoy in Florence, Geneva's historic Le Richemond, and the legendary Brown's Hotel in central London. Last year Frankfurt's Villa Kennedy joined the collection, along with the Hotel de Rome in Berlin, with a third German property, in Munich, to be added this spring. Next year will see Prague come on line. All the hotels, which are in key centres, maintaintheir individual styles while reflecting their nationality and location. In London, for example, Brown's, which dates back to 1837 and is located in the West End’s exclusive Mayfair, retains its quintessentially English atmosphere but has a totally new feel and look about the place, appealing to a different, more upwardly mobile market. The Villa Kennedy, conveniently situated just outside the centre of Frankfurt on the road to the airport, is constructed around an old family home, built in 1904. The original villa houses the main reception area, an elegant meeting room and a stunning, self-contained 300m2 presidential suite on the top floor, offering total security. The addition of three wings, built in a similar style to the original villa, provides a sheltered, private courtyard, ideal for outdoor drinks and dining. Like all the hotels, the interior design is overseen by Olga Polizzi, Sir Rocco’s sister. The formula is simple: furniture, fittings and lighting are all chosen to ensure guests feel as comfortable as they would in their own homes. Not rocket science but a move away from the homogenized look that has become commonplace in many chain hotels. It is this attention to detail, which extends to the levels of service on offer, that is key to the collection's success. “As a frequent traveller, I am well aware that the standard of service delivery can make all the difference to a stay, whether on business or pleasure. This is especially important in any 5-star hotel,” says Sir Rocco. “By concentrating on a smaller number of hotels, I am personally involved in the detail of the business on a day-to-day basis." And it is that all-important detail that distinguishes the group from its many competitors. Last month it collected the accolade for the best hotel chain in the Luxury Travel Reader Awards in London, while its Villa Kennedy made the short-list of three in the best new hotel category. And in the Leading Hotels of the World annual Commitment to Quality Awards, announced at the end of last year, the Hotel Savoy in Florence not only took top honours in Europe, but achieved the highest score overall, based on anonymous inspections. The other properties in the expanding collection are the Hotel de Russie, Rome; St David’s Hotel and Spa, Cardiff; The Lowry, Manchester; Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg; and Amigo, Brussels. In addition to the new hotels in Bavaria and the Czech Republic, the group is planning to open a golf and spa resort at Verdura in Sicily next year. Some of the existing hotels have swimming pools, marine hydropools and hydrotherapy treatments to complement a wide range of beauty therapies. Fully fitted gyms are also available for the more energetic, and fitness assessments can be carried out by resident sports specialists. Most properties also have a sanarium or steam room. Separate relaxation lounges are available for spa users who simply wish to unwind. As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, Rocco Forte Hotels is making its mark. Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt
Location: 5-minute taxi ride from city centre, 15 minutes from airport
Rooms: 163, including 29 suites; 324m2 presidential suite; all rooms feature dedicated workstation, flat screen TV, interactive video on demand, high-speed internet access, in-room safe
Guest services: fast check-in andcheck-out, same-day laundry, underground parking, wi-fi in public areas, instant message delivery
Leisure facilities: 15m pool and three-level spa; unisex Jacuzzi, gym, separate steam and sauna rooms for men and women, eight treatment rooms; mezzanine floor for relaxation with refreshment bar
Meeting space: ballroom for up to 450, plus seven rooms seating from six to 45 people; all rooms have natural daylight
Restaurants and bars: Gusto (Italian) with outdoor dining on courtyard terrace during the summer; JFK bar and lounge
Website: www.roccofortehotels.com
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