Have you ever wondered about the people who make luxury hotels feel so special? Gianluca Cugnetto is one of those people. He is a successful Italian businessman known for his amazing work in the hotel world. He has spent many years managing some of the best hotels globally, making sure guests have wonderful experiences.
Bio
| Name | Gianluca Cugnetto |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | Not publicly disclosed; estimated to be in his 50s |
| Education | Studied Revenue Management at Cornell University, New York |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Ethnicity | Italian |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) |
| Marital Status | Single; previously in a long-term relationship with actress Hannah Waddingham |
| Spouse | Partner Hannah Waddingham |
| Children | One daughter, Kitty, born in 2014 |
| Legacy | Renowned for his extensive career in luxury hotel management and as the former partner of actress Hannah Waddingham |
| Famous For | His roles in high-end hospitality management and his relationship with Hannah Waddingham |
| Profession | Hospitality Manager and Food & Beverage Specialist; has held senior positions at prestigious hotels including Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Antara Hotels, Hotel Du Vin, Le Méridien Dubai, The Sheraton, Château de Codignat, and currently serves as General Manager at Hotel Bellevue on Lošinj Island, Croatia |
| Net Worth | Estimated between $1.5 million and $3 million as of 2024 |
The Start of a Hospitality Journey
Gianluca Cugnetto comes from Italy, a country famous for its delicious food and warm hospitality. Growing up, he may have been inspired by his family, as some reports mention he comes from a line of people who owned restaurants.
This background likely gave him an early look into the world of making guests feel welcome and serving great food and drinks. It seems hospitality was always a part of his life, setting the stage for a long and successful career.
His journey in the hotel industry wasn’t just a job; it became his passion. Gianluca Cugnetto dedicated himself to learning everything about how top-class hotels work. He focused especially on food and beverages, understanding that amazing dining is key to a luxury experience.
His early years were about building skills and gaining knowledge, preparing him for bigger roles in famous hotels around the world. This dedication laid the foundation for him to become a leader in the field.
Building an Impressive Global Career
Gianluca Cugnetto’s career is like a map of the world’s finest hotels. He didn’t just stay in one place; he took his talents internationally. With over twenty years of experience, mostly in luxury hotels, he has held important leadership positions.
Think about famous hotel groups like Starwood, Marriott, Anantara, and Relais & Châteaux – Gianluca has worked with them!
One of his significant roles was as the Director of Food and Beverage at Starwood Hotels and Resorts. From 2007 to 2010, he was in charge of the dining experiences for this huge global company.
This job required great skill in managing teams, understanding different tastes, and maintaining high standards across many locations. Following this, in November 2010, he took on a similar role as Director of Food and Beverage at Anantara Hotels in the vibrant city of Bangkok, Thailand.
This move showed his ability to adapt to different cultures and lead teams in new environments, further proving his expertise in the food and beverage side of the hotel business.
His experience wasn’t limited to Asia or global roles. He also spent seven years working in London, adding the UK’s competitive hotel scene to his list of accomplishments. This international exposure gave Gianluca Cugnetto a unique understanding of what luxury means to different people around the world.
Leadership at Hotel Du Vin
In 2015, Gianluca Cugnetto took on a new challenge as the General Manager of the Hotel du Vin in Brighton, England. This wasn’t just any hotel; it’s known as a luxury boutique hotel, offering a stylish and unique experience. When he arrived, Gianluca had a clear goal: to make Hotel du Vin the number one hotel in the city. He brought his extensive experience and high standards with him.
He described himself as a “food and drink guru,” highlighting his deep knowledge in this area. He immediately started planning improvements. This included updating the conference rooms with modern technology to attract more events.
He also planned changes to the food menu and a revamp of the restaurant itself for the following year. His approach was all about improving the guest experience and pushing the hotel towards excellence.
Gianluca Cugnetto made it clear that he came from a background where meeting customer needs was the top priority, famously saying his philosophy meant “the word ‘no’ doesn’t exist” when it comes to guest requests. This dedication to service excellence was key to his plan for the Brighton hotel.
Maître de Maison and Consultancy
Gianluca Cugnetto’s journey also led him to work with Relais & Châteaux, a prestigious group of unique, high-end hotels and restaurants worldwide. He served as a Maître de Maison (Master of the House) at the beautiful Château de Codignat in France.
In this role, he shared his philosophy of hospitality. He believes in giving personalized attention to every guest, from the moment they book until they leave. For him, making each guest feel like the most important person is crucial.
He spoke about wanting guests to leave with memories that make them want to return, focusing on creating emotional connections.
His approach involves constantly looking at the property through the guests’ eyes, paying attention to every small detail to ensure the best possible experience. This role highlighted his deep understanding of true luxury service.
Beyond managing specific hotels, Gianluca Cugnetto has also shared his knowledge as a Management Consultant focused on Luxury Hospitality. He joined the Affluent Consumer Research Company, bringing his two decades of experience working with brands like Anantara, Starwood, Marriott, and Relais & Châteaux.
Here, he uses his expertise to help luxury brands understand their wealthy customers better, drive business growth, and deliver top-level service. This shows his influence extends beyond hotel walls into shaping strategies for the wider luxury market.
Leading Hotel Bellevue in Croatia
More recently, in June 2023, Gianluca Cugnetto embarked on a new chapter as the General Manager of the five-star Hotel Bellevue on Lošinj Island in Croatia.
This stunning hotel is part of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts group and is located near the beautiful Čikat Bay, known for its healing waters. The hotel features luxurious rooms, an award-winning spa (named Croatia’s Best Hotel Spa in 2022), and a Michelin Plate-awarded restaurant, Matsunoki.
Taking charge of such a prestigious property, Gianluca Cugnetto brought his vision for world-class hospitality. He aims to make Hotel Bellevue a top destination by enhancing every part of the guest experience – from room design to dining quality and staff friendliness.
He wants to blend the best elements from his past experiences, like the personal service style of Relais & Châteaux and the luxurious touches of St Regis (Marriott), with unique local experiences inspired by Anantara.
He also emphasized the importance of sustainability and community involvement, values strongly held by Hotel Bellevue and the Lošinj Hotels & Villas group.
Gianluca Cugnetto believes in respecting the unique character and heritage of Lošinj while adapting to modern travelers’ needs with new technologies and services. His goal is clear: to make Hotel Bellevue known globally for excellence and innovation, attracting guests who seek the very best.
Gianluca Cugnetto: Age and Experience
While Gianluca Cugnetto’s exact age isn’t widely published, we know he has dedicated over twenty years of his life to the demanding world of luxury hospitality, as confirmed in announcements about his role at Hotel Bellevue in 2023.
This long career speaks volumes about his dedication, resilience, and passion for the industry. Starting relatively young and rising through the ranks to manage world-renowned hotels requires immense skill and commitment.
His extensive experience across different countries and hotel groups demonstrates his adaptability and deep understanding of global hospitality trends. His journey shows a consistent drive for excellence over many years.
Family Life and Connection
Beyond his busy professional life, Gianluca Cugnetto is also known for his personal connections. He was in a long-term relationship with the celebrated British actress and singer, Hannah Waddingham. They were together for over a decade and are parents to a daughter named Kitty, who was born around 2014 or 2016. While they are no longer partners, they share the responsibility of raising their daughter.
Hannah Waddingham has spoken about her daughter being her “greatest achievement.” Photos shared in the past show family moments, like Gianluca and Kitty walking hand-in-hand during Easter celebrations or enjoying trips together.
These glimpses suggest a focus on family despite demanding careers. Kitty also has a health condition called Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), which involves swelling of small blood vessels.
Hannah has mentioned keeping her Emmy award in Kitty’s room as a reminder that her time away is for important reasons, highlighting the balancing act many parents navigate. Gianluca Cugnetto, while private, shares this important role as a parent.
A Legacy of Excellence in Hospitality
Gianluca Cugnetto has built a remarkable career defined by leadership, a passion for service, and a deep understanding of the luxury hotel industry.
From his early days, possibly influenced by a family background in restaurants, to managing prestigious hotels across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, his journey is one of continuous growth and achievement.
His expertise in food and beverage management, combined with his strong focus on personalized guest experiences and operational excellence, has made him a respected figure. Whether aiming to make Hotel du Vin the best in Brighton or bringing his global vision to Hotel Bellevue in Croatia, his commitment to quality shines through.
He is not just a hotel manager; he is a creator of memorable experiences and a leader who inspires his teams to strive for the best. Gianluca Cugnetto continues to make a significant impact on the world of luxury hospitality, leaving a mark of excellence wherever his career takes him.
