In the heart of the Tuscan hills, where heritage, nature and hospitality converge, Castelfalfi enters a dynamic new phase of development, reinforced through a strategic partnership with Sommet Education Business Solutions, the global hospitality education leader encompassing its renowned institutions Les Roches and Glion Institute of Higher Education. Together, the two organisations will collaborate to elevate leadership capabilities, strengthen service culture and expand talent opportunities.
The new partnership reflects Castelfalfi’s long-term vision of investing in people and excellence across the estate. Through this partnership, both parties have committed to developing leadership competencies, creating academic value, and supporting emerging talent within one of Tuscany’s most distinctive hospitality environments.
This shared commitment is anchored in the common values embraced by Castelfalfi, Les Roches, and Glion – prioritising people’s development, operational and service excellence, and sustainability.
Strategic partnership key pillars
Leadership and service excellence development
Multi‑module programs delivered exclusively by Les Roches to reinforce Castelfalfi’s leadership culture, elevate communication and operational behaviours, and strengthen the estate’s commitment to service excellence.
Applied academic collaboration
Les Roches will develop a faculty‑led academic case study based on Castelfalfi’s operational reality, history and evolution, bringing one of Tuscany’s most distinctive hospitality environments directly into the academic curriculum.
Talent pathways and industry exposure
The agreement provides Castelfalfi with structured access to the institutions’ international student community – including internship and graduate recruitment pathways from Les Roches and Glion – to support continuous talent renewal and excellence in workforce development while enhancing recruitment pipelines through internships, graduate roles and career fair participation.
Shared values and vision
The prestigious institutions and Castelfalfi share a deep commitment to people-centred leadership, experiential learning, community connection and the preservation of cultural heritage. Both organisations believe in developing talent capable of shaping the future of responsible luxury hospitality, where operational excellence and positive societal impact go hand in hand.
Mounir Husseini, Chief Executive Officer of Castelfalfi, commented:
“We are extremely proud of this new project, which represents an important milestone in the evolution of Castelfalfi. This moment speaks to continuity, responsibility and long‑term vision – the same values that inspire our decision to partner with Sommet Education Business Solutions. By investing in talent, in our territory and in the future of our community, we ensure that Castelfalfi continues to flourish as a destination of excellence rooted in authenticity and elevated by outstanding hospitality.”
Carlos Díez de la Lastra, Chief Executive Officer of Les Roches, added:
“At Les Roches, we believe that partnerships with visionary destinations are essential to shaping the next generation of hospitality leaders. Castelfalfi embodies the essence of contemporary luxury hospitality – authentic, refined and intrinsically connected to its territory. Working alongside their teams, we look forward to developing professionals capable of honoring this heritage while advancing service standards globally.”
Florent Varanne, Global Head of Business Solutions Development at Sommet Education, stated:
“This collaboration with Castelfalfi represents exactly the type of forward‑looking partnership our industry needs. Castelfalfi’s extraordinary identity – deeply rooted in its landscape and community – aligns perfectly with our mission to prepare leaders who combine operational excellence with purpose and humanity.”
At the core of the collaboration are Leadership and Supervisory Training Programs designed and delivered exclusively by Les Roches. These multi‑module learning journeys, delivered on site over several months, focus on leadership skills, communication, organisational behaviour and service excellence – essential pillars for Castelfalfi’s operational and strategic development.
Tracey Battisti, Director of Excellence Academy at Castelfalfi, concluded:
“Empowering our people is at the heart of Castelfalfi’s mission. This partnership with Sommet Education Business Solutions allows us to offer our teams transformative learning opportunities that reinforce excellence, strengthen leadership confidence and reflect the values that guide our estate. Together, we are nurturing a workforce capable of delivering authentic and meaningful guest experiences.”
Nestled between Pisa, Florence, and Siena, Castelfalfi is a unique resort seamlessly integrated into the medieval village of the same name.
It combines one of Tuscany’s most scenic hilltop hamlets with a contemporary luxury hotel and elegant villas spread across 1,100 hectares of countryside, forests, vineyards, and olive groves. Alongside its luxury hospitality, state-of-the-art wellness spa, more than 40 guest experiences, and organic wine, olive oil and honey production, Castelfalfi is also home to a prestigious real estate division.
Recognised with the coveted Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award, the prestigious Two MICHELIN Keys, and having been included in the 2026 Conde Nast Traveler Gold List, Castelfalfi stands as a symbol of authentic Italian excellence and refined hospitality. In 2025, it was further honoured by Travel + Leisure, which ranked Castelfalfi as the No. 1 Resort in Italy, No. 2 in Europe, and No. 17 in the Top 100 Hotels in the World – a testament to its enduring charm and international acclaim.
