Roberto Wirth, owner and General Manager of the venerable Rome 5-Star Hotel Hassler Roma, signed an agreement last week with renowned hotelier Moreno Occhiolini to create a new international luxury hotel chain, Hassler Hotels & Resorts.

The new company will have Wirth as Chairman and Occhiolini as CEO. The original Hotel Hassler Roma will continue to be owned and managed by Wirth, who holds almost 30 years at its helm.

Destinations for Hassler Hotels & Resorts may include business and leisure cities such as New York, Washington DC, Chicago, London, Zurich, Doha and Jeddah. The new properties will be housed in historic buildings similar to that of the Hassler Roma, or those in development that mirror the Hassler Roma's unique location, service standards, personality and refinement.

In celebration of this new venture, Wirth and Occhiolini held an economic round-table seminar last week titled "The luxury hotel industry: finance and future." Guests included top hotel industry leaders, as well as Italian visionaries in business, finance, journalism and tourism.

"Today the Hassler Roma is recognized all over the world for its unparalleled service, rich tradition and exclusive location. The next step is for the Hassler to grow and expand its own brand; I have known Moreno Occhiolini for many years and recognize in him the right qualities and vision for this ambitious endeavor. He believes, as I do, in the utmost in quality and service when it comes to hospitality," says Wirth.

"I see this project as an intriguing challenge between tradition and modernity, simplicity and sophistication, attention to detail and profit. A commitment that I am proud to share with such a traditionally forward-looking hotelier," says Occhiolini.

Set atop the Spanish Steps and featuring a panoramic view of the entire city, the Hassler Roma has been Rome's five-star lodging of choice for the world's elite for more than a century. Each of the 82 rooms and 13 suites are individually designed and adorned in authentic Italian accents. Highlights include the Michelin-starred panoramic rooftop restaurant, Imàgo, which recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation, and the neighboring, Hassler-owned Il Palazzetto Restaurant & Wine Bar with an exclusive terrace overlooking the Spanish Steps (within Il Palazzetto is housed the International Wine Academy of Roma which offers wine classes from world-renowned sommeliers).

View Hotel Profile: Hotel Hassler Roma