The Forte Family’s Favourite Festive Films

When it comes to Christmas, every family has time-old traditions and rituals they love to follow. Similarly, there are those certain films to which we gravitate in December. Below, Charles, Lydia, Irene and Olga share the films that hold a special place in their hearts during the festive season.

Olga Polizzi

“Somehow or another every year we always watch A Christmas Carol. I like the old version!  In terms of music - I am all for classics, I love Handel and it is always nice to have some jolly Christmas songs for the children and when guests arrive at the house. It immediately puts you into a festive spirit!”

Lydia Forte

“Pretty Woman! Just such a feel good film, completely out of date and could never be made today but so comforting to watch. And Julia Roberts carries it with her beauty and brilliant acting. Great soundtrack too.”

Irene Forte

“Although this isn't a particularly festive movie, it's a movie I love to watch when I have a bit of time on my hands (which ends up only really being at Christmas): Breakfast at Tiffany's. I just fall in love with Audrey Hepburn’s character every time. She's incredibly charismatic and effortlessly chic. It makes you want to go back in time and have her as a friend.”

Charles Forte

“Well I’m not really a huge fan of Christmas-themed films. Seeing as my nephew is just about old enough to enjoy the Disney and Pixar classics I would say: Aristocats, Robin Hood, the Jungle Book, Up, Ratatouille, Toy Story. They remind me of my childhood and they are generally brilliant films. I also enjoy classic comedies that everyone is happy to watch; Dodgeball, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Stepbrothers. I've watched these films more times than I can remember. And, of course… the Boxing Day football!”

 

You’ll find plenty of gift inspiration on our Rocco Forte Shop or you can speak to our Concierge to arrange an in-room delivery to make your festive escapes feel all the more special.


You may also like

Inside the Donna Franca Suite at Villa Igiea

Vivacious, glamorous, powerful. Few figures encapsulate the effortless grandeur of the Belle Époque quite like Donna Franca, our Sicilian muse. Famed for her petite frame, thick dark hair and an exquisite fashion sense that has endured for over a century, Franca was the epitome of an era that placed beauty and high fashion at its forefront.

Moments Worth Gifting

The festive season brings its own kind of sparkle - a flurry of celebrations, feasts, and time with those who matter most. To make gifting simple, we’ve curated a selection of bespoke experiences to delight everyone on your list. From candlelit dinners and Italian wine tastings to tranquil spa escapes and moments devoted to yourself, each experience thoughtfully crafted to offer moments of joy.

Tracing the Belle Époque from Rome to Palermo

In a time when beauty shaped every facet of life — from the curve of a staircase to the vivid bloom of a painted iris — Italy’s Stile Liberty captured the optimism of a new century. Across Europe in the late 19th century, the Belle Époque blurred the line between art and the everyday, celebrating craftsmanship, elegance, and expressive freedom. Now, a new cultural itinerary, From Mucha to Florio, traces that movement between Hotel de la Ville in Rome and Villa Igiea in Palermo, two different cities, two glorious expressions of the same artistic impulse.