Other
Olga Polizzi
Hotelier
- Discipline
- Other
i. Biography
The Path
Luxury hotel design sits at the join between planning, service, durability, and atmosphere. Olga Polizzi’s route into that work included St Mary's School and public service as a councillor at Westminster City Council, experience that placed decision-making, scrutiny, and civic detail before the demands of hotel interiors. The hotel craft moved into ownership and brand-building in 1996, when Olga Polizzi founded Rocco Forte Hotels alongside her brother, Sir Rocco Forte. As Director of Design, her work has been tied to the look and use of the properties, with the designer’s decisions serving both guest comfort and operational standards. The same hotelier’s eye is present in Hotel Tresanton, Hotel Endsleigh, and The Star at Alfriston, where setting, building character, and hospitality function have to be held together rather than treated as separate concerns.
Now
Design direction in a hotel group is practical work: rooms must read well, wear well, and support service without losing character. In the current role of Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels, Olga Polizzi continues to shape the aesthetic and functional aspects of the brand's properties. The emphasis is on detail, welcome, and warmth within a luxury register, balancing classic elegance with contemporary elements across both city hotels and countryside retreats.
Peer Recognition
Recognition in hospitality design usually follows sustained influence across properties, teams, and guests rather than a single room or opening. Olga Polizzi has been honored with the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire for contributions to design and hospitality. The award marks leadership in the industry and a long record of work connecting hotel standards with interior design practice.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Olga
What is Olga Polizzi's day job?
Olga Polizzi is director of design at Rocco Forte Hotels.
Where did Olga Polizzi train or study?
Olga Polizzi trained at St Mary's School.
What is Olga Polizzi known for?
Interior designer.
