Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria
A Belle Epoque hotel at the pulse of time, presenting a successful symbiosis between tradition and innovation
History, nostalgia and charm paired with a stylish look, elegant luxury and modern refinements in the luxury hotel industry are no longer opposites these days. On the contrary; in Abano Terme, the Borile family is setting several examples, with the Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria exemplifying the modern zeitgeist thanks to its new White Spa.
As a luxury travel blogger, I travel the world and – as you have learned by now – I only write about the very best hotels. I have been traveling to the Trieste & Victoria several times a year for many years, primarily with my parents or my mother (after the passing of my beloved and cherished father on July 15, 2021), but also with my husband. I hope you will like this luxury jewel as much as we do.
The Grand Hotel Terme Trieste & Victoria, a five-star hotel owned by the well-known family-run Borile Group, one of the largest entrepreneurial groups in Italy, is located in the middle of the pedestrian zone of the spa town of Abano Terme, the most important European health resort for mud therapies and thermal baths. The world-renowned Abano Terme, at the foot of the Euganean Hills, is located in the northeast of Italy, in the Veneto region, and is barely 60 kilometers from the unique lagoon city of Venice.
Before I introduce you, dear readers, to the Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria in more detail, I would like to point out that “the history of Europe” was written in this noble hotel. In fact, in the venerable rooms, now considered a “national monument”, the fate of the First World War was sealed, with the General Command of the Italian Empire leading the country to victory from these lofty premises. The famous poet and writer Gabriele d’Annunzio, a former member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, was one of the regular guests and expressed his wish to add the word “vittoria” (victory) to the name of the hotel. His request was granted and so the Hotel “Trieste” was renamed Hotel “Trieste & Victoria”.
Every time I walk through the venerable revolving doors, I feel the living history of this traditional hotel. The antique furniture, the grandiose paintings, the opulent Murano chandeliers, the delicate porcelain figurines, the beautiful antique vases, the precious stuccowork and fabrics, as well as the exquisite carpets and the grandiose statues remind me of the turn of the century. I feel transported back to the glorious days of the Belle Époque, the heyday of European luxury, and think of the crowned and uncrowned heads who also stayed there.
As for the tasteful and comfortable rooms and suites, the Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria has something for every taste and budget.
From the famous historic Suite 106, where General Amando Vittorio Diaz once stayed and signed the “Bollettino della Vittoria”, the victory report, to the completely renovated Deluxe or Elegance Belle Époque Rooms, Junior Suites Belle Époque, as well as Senior Suites Belle Époque, followed by the stylishly furnished Junior and Senior Suites (847 my favorite among the Senior Suites, which is connected to the Junior Suite 848 as you can see on the right picture) to the new stylish rooms and suites with the promising epithet “White”.
The simplest room category is called Elegance with a view of the Euganean Hills or the pedestrian zone, while the highest category lives up to the name Imperial Suite in every way. The more modern Imperial Suites are located on the 7th or 8th floor in the modern wing overlooking the park and thermal pools. The historic Imperial Suites in the Belle Époque wing overlook the pedestrian zone and the famous hills. For the person who wants to experience a glorious Belle Époque feeling once in his life, I recommend this historic Imperial Suite. He will not be disappointed at all. The sublime adventure already begins in the elevator, which is true to the original. Which one of you will follow my mother into the elevator and / or into the more modern Imperial Suite in the newer wing?
For those who prefer to stay in a more modern Imperial Suite, or for those who are traveling with the entire family, I suggest one of the Imperial Suites in the newer wing – with beautiful views from both balconies. These Imperial Suites are connected to a Deluxe Room, which in turn leads to a Junior Suite. (Each room, as well as each suite, has all the amenities of a luxury hotel, of course).
As for the wellness offer, the gleaming white White Spa, offers everything that the luxury heart desires for relaxation, therapy and well-being. The Borile Group is one of the Leading Spa Hotels in Italy.
Did you know, dear readers, that the 86 degrees Celsius thermal water inside the hotel’s own facility springs from a well? This novel spa concept, developed in Abano, owes its existence precisely to this healing thermal water, which has proven its worth for centuries. I have experienced these positive effects on my health and I expect to enjoy myself there again throughout August 2022, sharing my stay with my loyal followers on Instagram.
This absolutely unique spa truly takes the Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria to a new dimension. It all started in the late 1960s when Aldo Borile invented a special hydraulic pump. This was intended to bring the thermal water from Abano’s underground to the surface. Aldo Borile was fascinated by the thermal world, he was constantly developing new concepts and making further contacts in the hotel scene of the area. His inventions were patented and he decided to become a hotelier together with his wife Adelina. He bought the Hotel Metropole, which he renovated, enlarged and opened in 1979. I remember well when I was younger, my parents spent a wonderful vacation there with me (about 33 years ago). In the past as well as today, the Hotel Metropole – thanks to its gigantic sports offer and its countless swimming pools and thermal pools – is mainly aimed at families with small and big children. Every time I stay at the Hotel Trieste & Victoria, I visit the Hotel Metropole, reminiscing about wonderful memories and always discovering innovations that didn’t exist before, such as the breathtaking oriental spa. In 1989, the 2nd hotel of the Borile Group, the Trieste & Victoria, followed in 1999 by the Due Torri opposite and a year later by the Residence. “La Residence & Irdokinesis” has an exemplary specialization in the rehabilitation of sports injuries and musculoskeletal disorders. The Abano Grand Hotel, the only five-star deluxe hotel in the province of Padua, was built in the 1990s. I will present it to you in a separate portrait. The hotelier passion, as well as the passion to develop constantly new concepts, is masterfully continued today by Aldo and Adelina Borile’s children Cristina, Chiara and Alessandro. Every day, from early in the morning until late at night, Chiara Borile takes care of the guests and the business at the Hotel Trieste & Victoria with heart and soul and deserves my respect and appreciation for her great job.
The wellness lover experiences a professional five-star wellness atmosphere, the fango guest enjoys the best therapies. Fango has a long tradition in this area. In the century-old lakes of the Euganean Hills, a chain of hills of volcanic origin, the clay is formed, which mixes with the thermal water in the pools of the Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria, where it matures for two months with the help of certain processes, such as cooling, until it reaches perfection. Finally, the mature thermal mud D.O.C. also called organic thermal clay, has valuable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Especially people, like me, with chronic sinusitis can confirm the healing power of this therapy. Thanks to this natural type of treatment, which must be done at least once a year, I have been spared surgery. However, the mud is also successfully used in numerous other treatments, such as Fango & Form, Salute Più, Detox, Anti-Aging or for the treatment of the very painful arthritis of the joints.
The spa measures 3,650 square meters and houses 35 private and grandiose rooms, a well-equipped gym, a private fitness area accessible only with a personal trainer, a “Crystal” pool that can also be used only with a therapist (hydrokinesi therapy). The heart of the spa is the breathtaking “Gallery”, the elegant relaxation and reception area with a separate waiting area for medical consultations and a store where you can discover the multifaceted products of the GB Group (Gruppo Borile). By the way, you can also find the entire product range at: www.abanothermalcosmetics.it Personally, I use one of the cosmetic lines from the Borile Experience range: the unique B Special line. Furthermore, there is the Thermal Shine line as well as the Naturalmente Abano line. The cosmetic laboratories that collaborate with the GB Group guarantee modernity and innovation in the context of thermal well-being, producing exclusive cosmetic products.
Of course, there are also special programs (for example, Figure, Diet, Antistress & Detox, Remise en Forme), other rehabilitation treatments (such as ultrasound therapy, electrotherapy, kineseo taping), a multi-faceted massage offer, versatile beauty treatments for face, eyes and body, as well as special rituals for face and body (for example, the Belle Époque ritual) and the relaxing Ayurvedic massage. The ultimate spa experience culminates in the 5 Senses ritual. Experience this multi-sensory experience for yourself! I’ll just tell you: it will be a thousand and one night-experience!
In addition, the magnificent and well-maintained park landscape (almost 30,000 square meters) in the middle of a dreamlike palm grove (about 888 palm trees) is embellished with four thermal pools (three outdoor and one indoor pool, some are connected to each other inside and outside) with different water temperatures, several hydromassage glands and a whirlpool. A sauna, a thermal steam bath, an ice cascade, an Ice Room, a “River” Kneipp facility and adventure showers complete this unique wellness area, which can also be used in winter and in the evening. Also check out the photos on Instagram @lookandluxury.
As for the elegant Diaz restaurant, we enjoy the culinary compositions from the 1st course to the last every time. The restaurant serves freshly prepared, excellent Mediterranean cuisine for lunch and dinner. Before Corona, there were stunning buffets to go with the wonderful dishes. But even now the food pampers the palate of every guest, you just order from the service staff what is not on the varied menu. The chef Silvano Lain is always eager to satisfy each and every guest’s special request. THANK YOU TO SILVANO, who has never
disappointed me in all these years! THANK YOU TO THE STAFF who always give their best to put a smile on every guest’s face. MILLE GRAZIE A TUTTI!!!
As already mentioned, the wonderful buffets – since the terrible pandemic – are a thing of the past due to guest safety, which is very important in the GB Group. Nevertheless, the following pictures tempt to dream and sometimes the varied buffets will pop up again – like Phoenix from the ashes. And until that time comes, a small serving trolley with sweet temptations will roll up indoors. Of course, you can also enjoy the balmy summer nights outside with a terrific meal and enchanting desserts.
Finally, the restaurant crew knows exactly how to celebrate the festivities. At Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Epifania (January 6), Easter, Pentecost, Ferragosto (August 15) or All Saints’ Day (Halloween) spend your vacation there, dear readers, and judge for yourself! Who knows, maybe you will become the new regular guests.
Let’s not forget the Secret Bar and the spacious Belle Époque salons for an aperitif, a cocktail, tea, cappuccino or digestif in autumn or winter. The hotel goes to great lengths to provide its guests with upscale evening entertainment. Thus, depending on the Covid-19 situation, a live band plays inside in winter and outside in summer. While we were dancing there before Corona, we are now listening to the music and hope to be able to dance again soon as a couple and in group.
The renowned Victoria Club, the hotel’s party bar, is known for its varied live music and dance evenings. During the fall and winter months, prominent musicians play Italian evergreens as well as the latest international hits here from Thursday to Saturday.
As briefly mentioned above, in spring and summer, the wonderful outdoor areas invite you to linger. Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be taken overlooking the park or the thermal pools. La Dolce Vita Grill & Bar delights everyone with tasty grilled dishes of meat, fish and vegetables. It is accompanied by an appetizer as well as a dessert. On special feast days – before Corona and again after Corona – a grandiose appetizer buffet as well as a wonderful dessert buffet makes the hearts of the guests beat faster.
As August 15th is considered one of the most important ecclesiastical and family holidays in Italy, the Trieste & Victoria excels in every way on this day. The following pictures are from 2019, when the theme of Ferragosto was “Rosso e Bianco”. In 2017, the theme was “Oriente Express”.
Finally, the privileged location in the pedestrian zone can´t be topped. The Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria, which belongs to the well-known Borile Group, is definitely a destination for the luxury traveler. Nestled in the picturesque beauty of the Euganean Hills, it exudes hospitality, elegance and nobility. Stroll along the cozy pedestrian zone, check out the fashion boutiques, stroll through the park or simply enjoy the surroundings. The wellness lover as well as the thermal vacationer are in good hands in this wellness pearl. The sports enthusiast enjoys the various possibilities in and also outside the hotel (golf course in the immediate vicinity). But the city-traveler, too, as well as the art and culture-interested one will enjoy the location, because the famous north-Italian cities, Padua, Verona, Treviso, Venice, Vicenza… lie in direct proximity. The historic villages (for example Arquà Petrarca), the castles (Valbona, Monselice, Catajo), the monasteries, vineyards and olive groves are also worth a visit.
