The 1970s was a defining era for Italian design and music. Italian aesthetics flourished with a focus on sleek lines and playful forms, epitomized by iconic pieces from designers like Alessandro Mendini and Ettore Sottsass. The Memphis Group emerged during this time, challenging traditional design norms with bright colors, geometric patterns, and a sense of whimsy that celebrated postmodernism. In music, Italy saw the rise of diverse genres, from the melodic charm of Italian pop and cantautori—singer-songwriters like Lucio Battisti and Fabrizio De André—to the vibrant sounds of disco and progressive rock. This era was characterized by a fusion of styles, where traditional elements met contemporary influences, creating a rich cultural tapestry that continues to inspire today. Here we are featuring two hotels in Italy - one in South Tyrol - the Seehotel Ambach and one in Rome - The Hoxton Rome which have adopted the style and design of the 70s and created cult-following.
Seehotel Amback - Lake Caldaro - South Tyrol
Lake Caldaro in South Tyrol, is located about a 30-minute drive from the city of Bolzano. It serves as an important natural habitat for birds and amphibians. Visitors relaxing on their loungers are likely to share the surroundings with a gaggle of geese or a family of ducks. The striking Seehotel Ambach has remained virtually unchanged since its opening in 1973. The hotel was founded by Anna Ambach, and until her passing in 2014, she continued to reside in the hotel’s main suite. Her nephew, Klaus Maran, inherited the hotel and currently manages it with his family. The public areas maintain a vintage 1970s aesthetic with white, rough-cast walls and furniture exuding a retro vibe, offering a unique time-travelling experience.
Outside of the hotel, you are greeted with stunning views of the lake set against the backdrop of the Tyrolean mountains. The Seehotel Ambach is situated in an 11,000 square-meter park, allowing guests to choose their preferred spot among numerous trees, including ancient willows and birches, under which they can place their sun loungers. There are 28 rooms and four suites, all designed in a 1970s style, offering views of the lake or garden. Each room is designed as a retreat and is infused with elements of water, air, and earth. The interior design represents the world of water and rivers, landscapes with trees, and vineyards in a compressed abstract of forms and colours. The exterior design of the hotel has been brought into the interior, with Lothar Barth, the original architect designing most of the hotel's furniture before commissioning local craftspeople to produce it. The lamps, armchairs, and other pieces were selected from the work of the Italian School of Design, and additional unique pieces were provided by designers such as Vico Magistretti, Achille Castiglioni, and Emma Gismondi Schweinberger.
The Cuisine of the Hotel reflects the simple architecture and beautiful lake view. Fresh garden produce is combined to create Mediterranean and Alpine cuisine with delicate and pungent flavours. Ingredients like sorrel, rose blossom, and reeds are carefully integrated into dishes served in the dining room, on the lakeside terrace, and, of course, on the plate. Gourmet chef Albin Widmann and his team skilfully blend ingredients from sunny Southern Italy with traditional South Tyrolean gastronomy in a surprisingly creative way.
For example, Appetizers include the Etagere Ambach - Fried calamari with wasabi dip and grilled scampi - Home-smoked Balik salmon, marinated tuna, buffalo mozzarella, mango, olives and focaccia - Octopus in tempura with sweet and sour sauce, fruit and fennel.
Primi Piatti include Tortelli filled with pumpkin, mountain cheese fondue, and black truffle, or, typical for this region, “Schlutzkrapfen” from the Puster Valley with parmesan, brown butter, and grilled shrimp. Secondi Piatti / Mains include Beef Filet à la Rossini, grilled foie gras with Madeira sauce, truffle, spinach, brioche served with fried potatoes; or more typical for this region Beef goulash with “Knödelsoufflé”, fried onions and pickled vegetables.
The Hoxton, Rome
The Hoxton, Rome, is the newest addition to a hotel chain that was founded in 2006 in London. The chain is known for its concept of "open hospitality," which involves transforming unconventional spaces into hotels and offering a more casual approach to the traditional hotel industry. The Rome Hoxton Hotel features 192 bedrooms, a coffee bar with a takeaway counter, a spacious and bright restaurant, and a beautiful outdoor terrace. The hotel rooms are available in different sizes to accommodate various types of stays – Shoebox, Cosy, Roomy, and Biggy. Throughout the hotel, you will find parquet floors, statement headboards, and brass lighting fixtures, as well as bold colours, local stones, and lacquered timbers that pay homage to classic mid-century Italian design.
The hotel is in the Parioli district and features a large open lobby flooded with light, a terrace, and Cugino, a café and aperitif bar that serves delicacies from the local micro-bakery Marigold. The interior design combines vintage elegance with a contemporary interpretation and includes art-filled spaces. The hotel has 192 rooms spread across seven floors of a 1970s building, situated near Villa Borghese and the Macro and Maxxi museums. Ennismore Design Studio, in collaboration with Fettle Design, has transformed the 1970s building, preserved its original details and drawn inspiration from the architecture of Rome. The hotel has a dusty pink façade and a ground floor with a large open lobby flooded with natural light, a curved bar and café counter, and a new shaded outdoor terrace. The renovation incorporated typical Italian elements from the 1970s and drew inspiration from antique and vintage Italian design furniture found throughout Italy and Europe.
At their restaurant Elio, in addition to the Caffe, they aim to express the flavours, ingredients, energy, and joyful hospitality of leisurely, indulgent meals with friends while on holiday in Italy. This encapsulates the finest aspects of what the country has to offer. Some examples from their Menu. For Entrees CARPIONE MACKEREL Fried and marinated in herbs and seasonal vegetables; or BEEF CARPACCIO with Home-made pickled carrots and hazelnuts; or VITELLO TONNATO- Sliced veal with tuna sauce and fried capers. Primi Piatti examples include MEZZE MANICHE ALL’ AMATRICIANA - A short pasta dish with tomato sauce, pancetta and Pecorino Romano cheese; or CHITARRINA AL POMODORO - Handmade spaghettini with tomato sauce; or PAPPARDELLE DI CONIGLIO - Fresh pappardelle pasta with white rabbit ragout. Mains include SALTIMBOCCA ALLA ROMANA - Sliced veal with prosciutto and sage in a wine and butter reduction; or TOTANETTI IN GUAZZETTO PICCANTE - Slow cooked squid in a spicy tomato broth. Something a bit heartier: RIB EYE STEAK- 400g beef ribeye steak, served with mustard and a red wine jus; or BEEF TAGLIATA - 300g sliced beef steak with rocket salad and parmesan cheese or the Chicken option: COSCIO DI POLLO - Slow cooked chicken leg with plums and tarragon sauce.
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