Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced plans to open its first mountain resort in Italy.

The company has signed a long-term management agreement with London-based investment manager Attestor Limited to rebrand and manage the historic Hotel Cristallo in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

The property will undergo a “substantial” renovation after closing in 2023 and will reopen as a Mandarin Oriental resort in the summer of 2025 ahead of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Hotel Cristallo is situated in the Dolomites, a short walk away from famous mountain village Cortina d’Ampezzo, which features restaurants, luxury brand boutiques and local arts and crafts.

Venice Marco Polo Airport is one and a half hours away by car.

Hotel Cristallo was built in 1901 in Art Nouveau style by the Menardi family and was a popular ski destination in the 1930s among the European elite.

The property is said to have entered its “golden era” following the Olympic Games of 1956 when it hosted royals and celebrities including Peter Sellers, Frank Sinatra, Saul Bellow and Vladimir Nabokov. It has also featured in a number of films.

The hotel was acquired in 2021 by Attestor Limited, which also owns Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como.

The renovation of Hotel Cristallo will be led by architects Herzog and deMeuron and will include an extension of the property.

When it reopens, Mandarin Oriental Cristallo, Cortina will feature 83 guestrooms, including 30 spacious suites with views of the Dolomites.

The resort will also feature a range of restaurants and bars, flexible spaces for entertainment and events and an extensive spa and wellness facilities including an indoor-outdoor swimming pool.

Experiences from the hotel will include skiing, golf, cross country walking, hiking, tennis, ice skating and mountain climbing. The hotel will also offer a kids’ club.

“We are delighted to be bringing the Mandarin Oriental brand to the beauty of the Dolomites which has long been a destination of choice for skiers and adventurers and will no doubt appeal to Fans of Mandarin Oriental who love alpine pursuits,” said Mandarin Oriental’s group chief executive, James Riley.

“We look forward to delivering the group’s exemplary service to the resort and to working with our partners from Lago di Como to create another exclusive property in one of Italy’s foremost regions.”

David Alhadeff, partner at Attestor Limited, added: “We are excited to be restoring this famous property to its former glory in advance of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, while also creating a unique sense of modern luxury for international travellers.

“Following our successful partnership on Lake Como, we are pleased to add an iconic Italian asset to our collaboration with Mandarin Oriental and look forward to creating an Alpine landmark."