European-inspired concept draws on the philosophy of il dolce far niente and focuses on wellbeing, connection and a stronger sense of place
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is introducing Dolce Nova, a new upper-upscale lifestyle hospitality concept positioned as an extension of its Dolce Hotels & Resorts portfolio.
Inspired by the Italian philosophy of il dolce far niente — often translated as “the sweetness of doing nothing” — Dolce Nova is designed around a slower, more intentional approach to travel, encouraging guests to spend more time connecting with destinations, local culture and one another.
The concept builds on Dolce’s existing emphasis on bringing people together while moving into the growing upper-upscale lifestyle segment. Wyndham describes Dolce Hotels & Resorts as a brand focused on destinations, meetings, events and experiences, while Dolce Nova is intended to place greater emphasis on wellbeing, personal connection and leisure time.
A new direction for the Dolce brand
According to the launch announcement, Dolce Nova will combine European-inspired design with locally rooted experiences and spaces intended to encourage guests to slow down and engage with their surroundings.
The concept comes as hotel guests increasingly seek experiences that extend beyond accommodation, including wellness, local discovery, social interaction and a stronger connection with the destination.
Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said the new concept represents a natural progression for the Dolce brand.
“Dolce delivers on a simple idea: that where people come together matters. Over time, we’ve seen travellers place greater value on something that often feels in short supply: time.”
Manikis said Dolce Nova would bring that philosophy into the upper-upscale lifestyle segment through design and experiences inspired by il dolce far niente.
He added that the concept is intended to give owners and developers another proposition within Wyndham’s portfolio, combining European-inspired design and curated experiences with the company’s distribution, technology and commercial infrastructure.
Five pillars shape the guest experience
The Dolce Nova concept is structured around five signature touchpoints intended to shape different stages of the guest journey.
Arrive & Belong focuses on welcoming lounges, cafés, bars and restaurants designed to establish a sense of place and encourage social interaction.
Restore & Revive brings together spa, wellness and fitness facilities aimed at relaxation and balance.
Rest & Retreat centres on guestrooms and suites designed as calm environments for rest and rejuvenation.
Pass & Pause introduces curated transitional spaces intended to encourage guests to slow down and take in their surroundings.
Connect & Create focuses on co-working and social areas designed to bring hotel guests and local communities together through events and shared experiences.
Together, these elements are intended to create a hospitality environment where the hotel functions as both a base for exploring the destination and a place for guests to spend time without a tightly structured itinerary.
Designed for the lifestyle hotel segment
Dolce Nova is being positioned for both new-build projects and conversion opportunities, with Wyndham targeting owners and developers seeking a differentiated upper-upscale lifestyle proposition.
The launch announcement points to growing demand for experience-led accommodation, with affluent travellers increasingly placing emphasis on authenticity, personal wellbeing and meaningful engagement with destinations.
The concept also reflects Wyndham’s broader expansion of its upscale and lifestyle portfolio. The company has recently expanded the existing Dolce by Wyndham brand in the US, including new properties in Miami Beach, Palm Springs and New York’s Hudson Valley. Wyndham said those openings support its strategy of growing its upscale and lifestyle portfolio in national and regional travel markets.
Building on Dolce’s existing network
Dolce Nova will sit alongside Dolce Hotels & Resorts by Wyndham, which currently operates across destinations in North America, Europe and Asia.
The existing Dolce portfolio includes properties in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, Denmark, the US and Vietnam. The brand is traditionally associated with meetings and events, destination-driven experiences, wellness and leisure facilities.
Wyndham currently operates more than 8,000 hotels across 25 brands in 95 countries, giving the company a substantial distribution platform for the development of new concepts.
According to the Dolce Nova announcement, discussions are already underway for potential projects across EMEA, with the concept intended to support both conversions and new developments.
The new brand is ultimately designed around a simple proposition: giving travellers more space and opportunity to slow down, experience their surroundings and make time itself part of the stay.
