December 2011 (Florence) - The Board of Directors of Lungarno Collection, a luxury hospitality group owned by the Ferragamo family, has appointed former Chief Operating Officer Valeriano Antonioli to Chief Executive Officer.

Antonioli has nearly 30 years in the luxury hospitality industry. He has held managerial positions in Italy, Germany, Russia, England and the United States with leading hotel groups including the Diana Majestic in Milan, the Principe di Savoia in Milan, the Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg and the W hotel in Los Angeles. Antonioli's innovation, passion and ability to reinvent traditional structures by transforming them into vibrant lifestyle destinations are the characteristics of his management style.

"I am honored to contribute to the development of the Lungarno Collection in a period of such great growth. For a year now, we have redefined the business process, re-launched the Lungarno Collection website, repositioned the brand and also acquired the management of new properties. From now, my aim is not only help to continue to develop initiatives from an operational standpoint, but also spearhead our strategic communication and managerial plan," said Valeriano Antonioli.

Antonioli continues, "Lungarno Collection is a hotel management company with distinctive properties for international clientele including hotels, residences, restaurants, and villas. My attention now is seeking new partnership opportunities that are in line with the Lungarno Collection brand and will continue to enrich our collection, with new opportunities and experiences for our guests."

Antonioli is a Certified Business Economist and holds a degree in business economics from VWA Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany. He has also attended courses in Marketing and Hospitality Industry Strategic Management at Cornell University. Antonioli is fluent in four languages including Italian, German and French. In 2007, he received the Legion of Honour of the Italian Republic as Cavaliere della Repubblica Italiana.

About Lungarno Collection
Lungarno Collection is a boutique Italian hospitality company offering a diverse portfolio of luxury and design hotels, villas, and retreats owned by the Ferragamo family. Each property has its own personality, drawing inspiration from its location, many of which are dotted along the Arno River in Florence, Tuscan country and seaside and fashionable Rome. Leonardo Ferragamo, son of Salvatore Ferragamo and President of Lungarno Collection, creates highly personal experiences highlighted by elegance, striking design and attentive service. Lungarno Collection is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) and includes:

• Hotel Lungarno with Borgo San Jacopo Ristorante, Florence
• Hotel Continentale with Bar & Sky Lounge Continentale, Florence
• GALLERY Hotel Art, with The Fusion Bar & Restaurant, Florence
• Lungarno Suites, Florence
• Lungarno Apartments, Florence
• Villa Le Rose, Tavarnuzze
• Lungarno Details Store, Florence
• Portrait Suites, Rome
• Scarlino Yacht Club & Residence, Marina di Scarlino, Maremma
• Swan Sailing Yachts, (Maremma and Caribbean Sea)