Il Salviatino, situated within 12 hectares of centuries-old gardens with sweeping views of Florence’s iconic Duomo, is pleased to announce the appointment of new General Manager, Joao Mendes de Almeida, and Director of Operations, Stephanie Loison. Having worked with some of the finest luxury hotels in Europe, the couple bring exceptional expertise and leadership to their new roles.
Joao Mendes de Almeida brings an impressive background to his role as General Manager. Most recently, he served as General Manager for filmmaker George Lucas’ unique property in Umbria. Prior to this, he spent seven years as Catering Manager at the Four Seasons Geneva, where he developed extensive expertise in food and beverage operations. He then became Hotel Manager at Hotel Trasierra in Seville, refining his staff management and operational skills. Holding a Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management from Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) in Switzerland, Joao brings a global perspective and deep knowledge of luxury hospitality to his role as General Manager at Il Salviatino.

Stephanie Loison will adopt the role of Director of Operations, bringing with her a strong background in luxury hospitality and management. After beginning her career in guest relations at the Four Seasons Ritz Lisbon, Stephanie went on to acquire her Masters Diploma in Hospitality at Les Roches in Switzerland. She later became Hotel Assistant Manager at the Four Seasons Des Bergues, where she played a key role in the property’s opening, leading staff training initiatives and ensuring exceptional guest experiences. Her continued dedication to delivering unforgettable hospitality will bring invaluable expertise to her role at Il Salviatino.

The appointment of a new General Manager and a Director of Operations reflects Il Salviatino’s evolution as a year-round destination. Beginning with the 2026 season opening at the end of March, João and Stephanie bring complementary skill sets - Joao’s expertise in luxury F&B and service excellence, combined with Stephanie’s strengths in people development and operational management. Together, they will be ensuring elevated experiences across every guest touchpoint.
Alessandra Rovati Vitali, Owner and Creative Director of Il Salviatino, comments: “I am so pleased to welcome both Joao Mendes de Almeida and Stephanie Loison to Il Salviatino. As a family-owned property, we chose to appoint Joao as General Manager, and Stephanie as Director of Operations, as they bring such complementary strengths - Joao’s expertising in creating exceptional food and beverage experiences, and Stephanie’s talent for building and leading passionate teams. Together they have the vision and expertise to ensure every aspect of Il Salviatino reflects the care and attention to detail our guests deserve.”

Joao Mendes de Almeida, General Manager of Il Salviatino, comments: “Il Salviatino offers something truly rare, a historic Florentine, family owned villa with world class dining and an extraordinary setting. I’m excited to work with our culinary team at Da Giacomo al Salviatino to showcase the best Italian cuisine and hospitality, while ensuring every touchpoint, from Rosa Bar to in-room dining reflects the property’s unique charm. We want guests to feel they’ve discovered something special”.

Stephanie Loison, Director of Operations at Il Salviatino, comments: “I’m so pleased to be joining Il Salviatino at such an exciting time. Great hospitality starts with great people, and I’m thrilled to be working with such a passionate team. Working alongside Joao, we’re focused on ensuring our staff have everything they need to create the kind of seamless, memorable experiences that make Il Salviatino so special.”

The appointments come as Il Salviatino continues to strengthen its position in the luxury travel market, having recently joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection. General Manager, Joao, will be responsible for overseeing all operational and strategic aspects of the hotel and delivering exceptional guest experiences. Working alongside Joao, Director of Operations, Stephanie Loison will manage all heads of departments, including the property’s esteemed restaurant Da Giacomo al Salviatino, Rosa Bar, and Aquae Vitali Spa, whilst motivating and empowering the property’s team.

For accommodation, room rates start from €695 per night. For more information, please visit https://salviatino.com/.