Italian designer Paola Navone has led the renovation of Castello del Nero, located just outside Florence. A twelfth-century castle with Renaissance frescoes, the property is owned by Singaporean businesswoman Christina Ong, whose company, Club 21, was a pioneer in promoting Italian fashion and hospitality to her home country (she was the driving force behind introducing Giorgio Armani to Singapore among other things).
Over the past 3 decades living between Italy and Asia, Ong developed a deep affection for Tuscany and its cuisine. Her vision of Italian hospitality came to life with Castello del Nero, part of the Como Hotels and Resorts, a company that includes 5 star properties from the Maldives to London, from Fiji to Burgundy. The Halkin, the first property acquired by Ong, was conceived as the inaugural boutique hotel in the heart of London's Belgravia district, 30 years ago.
