Anantara celebrates Sophia Loren’s 90th birthday by naming suite in her honour

Italy’s film and music royalty gathered recently on the rooftop of Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel to celebrate the 90th birthday of beloved cinematic luminary and icon, Sophia Loren.

And to mark the occasion, the hotel announced the creation of the Sophia Loren Suite in honour of its most glamorous guest.

Almost 200 guests including renowned actors, directors, and friends from around the globe, gathered at the hotel on 20 September to celebrate Italy’s cherished star as she extinguished her 90 candles in a place she has known and loved for years.

Sophia was dressed for the occasion by Giorgio Armani and guests were served a carefully curated menu of her favourite dishes inspired by Ms Loren’s cookbooks and prepared by the hotel’s Executive Chef, Heros De Agostinis.

The Presidential Suite of the Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome that has been named in honour of Sophia Loren

Tables were named for the star’s most famous films, including A Special Day, La Ciociara, The Sunflowers, The Gold of Naples and Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”.

The evening ended with the presentation of a nine-tier birthday cake decorated with white chocolate roses, Loren’s favourite flowers, prepared by the hotel’s pastry chef, Daniele De Santi.

Guests included Ferzan Ozpetek, Aurelio De Laurentis, Alessandra Mussolini, Christian De Sica with his wife Silvia Verdone, Trudie Styler, Regina Scully, Al Bano, Gigi D’Alessio, Mara Venier, Giancarlo Giammetti, Zubin Mehta and many others.

Singer Laura Pausini serenaded the invitees with a rendition of “Lo Sí” from the soundtrack of “La Vita Davanti a Sé,” the 2020 film by Edoardo Ponti starring Ms Loren, for which she won the David di Donatello Best Actress award.

The evening also served as an opportunity to officially unveil the Sophia Loren Presidential Suite, the world’s only suite dedicated to the actress.

Features of the room include a beauty station with some of Ms Loren’s must-have cosmetics, a movie corner with a DVD player and her most iconic films, a playlist loaded with her favourite songs, and family photos on the walls.