Gabriele Galieni: “A symbiosis between a rich structure of historic heritage and a dynamic destination”

It seems that the Hotel de la Minerve terrace, is not only considered the most beautiful one in Rome, but also has a splendid view over the Pantheon that even Stendhal noticed.
Gabriele Galieni is the new General Director of this jewel in which art, culture and history mix together in a harmonic way, guaranteeing its guest an unforgettable stay, he also guides us through the marvels of its latest professional success.
We asked him a few questions:
Doc. Galieni, in these last years we have seen you manage the most great and prestigious national and international hotels, now talking to you as General Director of the Hotel de la Minerve of Rome, we can talk of the latest aim in your extraordinary carrier. Tell us something about this first period in one of Rome’s most historic and deluxe hotels. The challenge is gratifying and stimulating. The symbiosis between a rich historic heritage structure and a dynamic destination that is strong in hospitality makes it so. It is difficult to find the heterogeneity of the guests in other cities as in the capital: it ranges from leisure to corporate, congress to incentive, without forgetting fashion, political and ecclesiastical worlds. A Grand Hotel in the heart of Rome, a Grand Hotel that during all the 800 has been an exclusive place, for being close to the Pantheon, the Parliament, residence of artists, aristocrats, intellectuals. Now it aims at business men, celebrities, stars. Can you briefly tell us of the most significant moments of this marvellous hotel and how it currently presents itself?
It’s true. Thanks to its wonderful position, the Grand Hotel de la Minerve represented a meeting point for aristocracy and intellectuals already in the 800. Amongst the guests I can mention the French writer Stendhal (to whom the suite on the 1st floor is dedicated to), George Sand and even the visit of the Pope Pio IX. For this reason, I like to mention the presence of a chapel, on the 1st floor, still in good condition where mass was celebrated 2 centauries ago. During the years, the guests’ importance has not changed and it is not surprising that in these days the hotel is the Air France President’s head quarters for the Alitalia issue.
In the incomparable Roman centre, here is an exclusive point of view, unique in the world, the famous terrace of the Grand Hotel de la Minerve. Tell us something about it.
The view is breathe taking and it ranges between the Pantheon’s dome, Saint Ivo at the Sapienza (the Borromini’s dome), the Saint Peter Cathedral, the Vittoriano and naturally Piazza Minerva with its elephant holding up the obelisk. There is no doubt that from April to October the Minerva Roof Garden represents a benefit for our guests. Here, depending on the season,
lunch and dinner are served. The same for the bar that has live music till late. The space flexibility also allows us to respond to the request of unique private parties.
The cultural and intellectual aspect seems to dominate this hotel, as the statue collection, for example, that contribute to it being unique. What do you think of this?
I find this aspect very fascinating that allows the scenery, where our guest has decided to stay and live an emotion, to be perfect. Besides the already mentioned chapel, the great statue of Minerva and those of the Olympus salon are important. Minerva is in the central hall and has all of the characteristic iconographic attributes of the Goddess in her function of the protector of human work. The Olympus salon has, 11 statue in their niches (originally they were 12) representing the 4 continents, the 4 elements (fire, air, earth and water) and 3 of the four seasons. Unfortunately, the summer is missing. These works are of Rinaldo Rinaldi, Canova’s favourite pupil who made them half way through the 800. The hall’s splendid ceiling in glass is also worth mentioning, in Liberty style, of the Architect Paolo Portoghesi.
Your structure, with 135 rooms with every type of facility, is able to respond to any kind of necessity. A professional staff with total dedicated attention for your guests makes every stay unique. Tell us about the different type of rooms, of your organisation and other services you offer.
The product is diversified and proposes 118 rooms between Superior and Deluxe, 13 Junior Suites and 4 Suites. Other environments are rationally distributed to offer the guest all that he expects: Bar with Pianobar, the Restaurant La Cesta to which small rooms are connected to for private dinners. An area on the first floor is dedicated to fitness and the same has been done for the business centre that is in a more suitable place, in the hall. All the common areas are have WiFi internet link, as also the rooms , where the internet connection is available through the tv, offering also satellite contents and pay-tv. I would like to underline the attention we pay to all the information that the guest might need during his stay. For this reason, a concierge is available 24 h, and thanks to his competences, he is able to satisfy all the guests’ needs.
What role does congress activity have in your hotel? How are you organised to welcome this kind of activity that is always more frequent in prestigious hotels?
This segment is not predominant. However, we pay great attention to it as it enables us to complete our offer. We have 4 large rooms, the biggest can host up to 120 people, all very elegant and technologically advanced. These areas are good for meetings, presentations, work lunches, cocktails, up to a more formal event like a gala dinner. The Mediterranean cuisine of our chef enriches a successful meeting.
The americans have always been, for historic and cultural reasons Great estimators of italy and its beauties , but the current situation , due to the dollar’s depreciation on the international markets, makes a holiday in italy very expensive. Do you think this will decrease global presences or the fascination and culture of a priceless city like rome?
With all the necessary differences, every choice is made in function of “value for money” and the eternal city is too. Statistics do not leave any doubt:-10% of Americans compared to last year. Even more so if we add on the decreasing economy trend that is not realistic until the USA elections. This scenery makes flexibility towards the American market necessary and it is for this reason that through our network we have created a type of guaranteed USD called “Stay in Europe–Pay in Dollars”, reducing the gap between the dollar and the euro.
In percentage terms, what do you think the american tourist presence will be in your structure? The dramatic garbage situation in naples has certainly caused international damage to the country’s image, how much do you think it will compromise national presences?
In 2007 the contribution of American guests was of about 30%, but the 1st 6 months of this year show a decrease of 2/3 percentage points due to the critical economic situation. The garbage emergency in Naples has surly hit the international public opinion, but essentially penalises Naples and its surroundings, maybe less for other art cities. It is not my intention to ignore the phenomenon, but on a national scale, we have the necessity to innovate if we do not want our country to fall to the 7th position in the worldwide classification of tourist destinations, as the WTO predicts before 2020.
What programmes do you have for the next semester?
In structural terms the façade and the creation of an internal Spa with a swimming pool. These works have already obtained permission from the Monuments and Fine Arts Office. In the meanwhile, we are finishing some activities connected to the efficiency of the roof garden. Even in service quality terms we have a project that is too premature to say anything about.
The collaborators education is becoming an integrating part of our every day work.