Bulgari Hotels Screens “An Emperor’s Jewel – The Making of The Bvlgari Hotel Roma” in NYC

By Ernesto Roman

On June 20th, Bulgari Hotels and Resorts rolled out the red carpet at New York City’s historic Morgan Library and Museum for the premiere of their new docufilm, “An Emperor’s Jewel – The Making of The Bvlgari Hotel Roma.”

The event was a glittering affair, hosted by Francesca Stancanelli, Bulgari’s Global Communication Manager, and Vincenzo Falcone, the General Manager of the Bvlgari Hotel Roma. They were joined by the film’s director, Andrea Rovetta, to introduce the screening.

The guest list included model designer and second daughter Ella Emhoff, influencers Natalie Lim Suarez, Dylana Suarez, Caroline Lin, Karina Bik, Sophie Krakoff, Aysha Sow, Lizzy Hadfield, Jannel Therese, Carly Cardellino, as well as journalists Jay Cheshes, Sierra Mayhew, Sara Klausing, brand strategist Maya Poulton, and A Hotel Life editor Ernesto Roman, among many others.

The film, which hit Amazon Prime on June 8th, delves into the creation of the Bvlgari Hotel Roma. It draws fascinating parallels between the hotel’s construction and Bvlgari’s jewelry craftsmanship, spotlighting Roman heritage, Italian creativity, and timeless design.

Viewers are treated to rare insights, behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with key figures like Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, architects Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel, Bvlgari’s CEO Jean-Christophe Babin, and actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas, a Bvlgari Brand ambassador, makes a standout appearance. She’s shown as the hotel’s first guest, engaging in a playful fictional chat with the ‘spirit’ of Emperor Augustus. Through this whimsical conversation, she highlights the deep connections between the hotel, Rome’s storied history, and Italy’s legendary craftsmanship, design, and lifestyle. Her genuine excitement about the hotel and her love for Rome brings a warm, personal touch to the film, making it a heartfelt tribute to this grand project.

The documentary also showcases the meticulous work of artisans, featuring custom textiles by Rubelli, Murano chandeliers by Barovier&Toso, bespoke mosaic artworks by the Mosaic School of Friuli, and hand-painted chinaware by Ginori 1735.

The hotel’s renovation was a major project, undertaken by Carron Construction Company. It involved over 300 employees working for more than three years to breathe new life into the building originally designed by Vittorio Ballio Morpurgo.

“An Emperor’s Jewel – The Making of the Bvlgari Hotel Roma” is currently available on Amazon Prime Video to watch

Event images by Craig Barritt courtesy of Getty Images.

Hotel images courtesy of Bulgari.