From the Tuscan town of Montecatini Terme to the heart of Monaco, Andrea Panati has spent more than three decades building a life that blends Italian passion with the international spirit of the Principality.
Long-term Monaco resident Andrea Panati first arrived in the Principality in the 1990s and has since built a life defined by entrepreneurship, family values, and balance. Born in Montecatini Terme, a town in Tuscany, and deeply rooted in Italian tradition, he brings a unique perspective shaped by decades of business experience and a genuine appreciation for the Monaco lifestyle.
A serial entrepreneur, Andrea holds stakes in businesses across a wide range of sectors, from food trading to wood flooring, and of course, the family hotel business.
You have been living in Monaco for over three decades. What led you to choose the Principality as your base for life and work?
“My father sold the company he had been working for, so I found myself liquidating my small share and decided to return to Monaco, where I had already lived in the 1990s. In Monte Carlo, I have a close friend who works in my field and offered me the opportunity to collaborate with one of his companies.
I chose this path because my father, despite his advanced age and some health issues, was still very active. At the same time, my son decided to stop playing football and started working alongside his grandfather, managing both the hotel and the real estate business.
This is also a good opportunity to introduce the Hotel Croce di Malta, located in Montecatini Terme, between Forte dei Marmi and Florence. The hotel’s real highlight is its spa, with Thai massages and treatments, offering an international experience while remaining deeply rooted in Italian tradition and hospitality.”
Montecatini Terme is a refined Tuscan spa town, known for one of the the most effective hot mineral waters in Europe. It also provides elegance, wellness, and a slower, restorative pace of life. Rooted in tradition, culture, and nature.
Owned by the Panati family, the Grand Hotel Croce di Malta is one of the most historic and prestigious 4-star hotels in Montecatini Terme, located just a short walk from the town centre and overlooking the green, centuries-old Thermal Park.
The hotel is the ideal choice for guests seeking a holiday focused on relaxation and well-being, thanks to its high-end services such as the refined Le Anfore Smart Restaurant and the renowned Thai Silk Spa, offering a wide range of treatments dedicated to both body and mind wellness.
The Grand Hotel Croce di Malta is also a perfect venue for business tourism, featuring modern, fully equipped meeting rooms ideal for events, conferences, and corporate meetings.
Special attention is given to cycling enthusiasts, with a dedicated bike room designed to accommodate cyclists and bike lovers in total comfort and safety.
The recently renovated rooms offer elegant and functional interiors, some of which feature a private sauna for an exclusive in-room relaxation experience. The hotel also offers rooms with a jacuzzi and two splendid panoramic suites with views of the Thermal Park, providing moments of true tranquillity and well-being.
In contrast to the relaxed rhythm of Montecatini Terme, the Principality of Monaco delivers energy and convenience: world-class dining, cultural events, nightlife, and a year-round social calendar; all within walking distance. Monaco is a city-state where business, diplomacy, sport, and luxury intersect daily.
For many families and entrepreneurs, however, the two destinations are complementary rather than comparable: Monaco as a dynamic base for international business and opportunity, and Montecatini Terme as a refined retreat for balance, family life, and long-term well-being.
What does Monaco represent for you today, both personally and professionally? And what do you see as the main advantages of living and working in Monaco?
“Monaco is simply fantastic. The sea is stunning, the climate is excellent, and there are countless opportunities for excursions. The atmosphere is international, dynamic, and inspiring.
Its location allows you to easily reach many destinations along the French Riviera, and above all, it offers an exceptional sense of safety. You can go out in the evening without any concerns and feel completely at ease even late at night.”
What do you enjoy most about life in the Principality?
“What I love most is waking up in my apartment and seeing the sea every morning. When I arrived in Monaco, I found an apartment on the 20th floor - which is certainly not something to be taken for granted.”
The Italian community in Monaco is one of the largest, most established, and best-integrated foreign communities in the Principality, playing a central role in daily life, business, and culture.
Was it easy for you to adjust to the Principality?
“I never encountered any obstacles in integrating into the local environment, I felt welcomed from the very beginning.”
Do you often return to Montecatini Terme?
“My main home is Monaco. However, as mentioned, my father is of advanced age and has some health issues, so it is natural for me to visit him frequently and spend time together as a family. I believe any good son would do the same, especially in Italy, where family values are very strong.”
How do you relax in Monaco?
“There are excellent bars and restaurants, and Monaco has allowed me to cultivate my passions, especially basketball. I literally grew up on basketball; my father was president of the Montecatini team and led it from Serie D all the way to Serie A.
The arena in Monaco is incredibly vibrant, with a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere. Monaco competes in the EuroLeague, a competition that has absolutely nothing to envy from the NBA. I truly recommend everyone to come and watch our team, the Roca Team.”
You are often seen at the Monaco Residents’ Meetings as well.
“Yes, I enjoy those events because they allow me to connect with people who truly live in Monaco. There are often Italian friends present as well, which makes it even more enjoyable.
Monaco is quite small, and people travel frequently, so these occasions are perfect for catching up with familiar faces and meeting new residents.”
Antonio Bertelli, Zsolt Szemerszky and Andrea Panati
What is your legacy investment?
“Our family owns several businesses and hotels around the world.
Personally, however, I am most passionate about my watch collection. It will be my legacy as a father to my son.”
For Andrea Panati, life unfolds between two worlds that naturally complement one another: the dynamic, international energy of Monaco and the timeless elegance of Tuscany.
Grounded in family values, driven by entrepreneurship, and guided by a long-term perspective, his story reflects a life built with intention rather than haste.
Whether overlooking the Mediterranean from his Monaco home or walking through the Thermal Park of Montecatini Terme, Andrea embodies a philosophy where success is measured not only by business achievements, but by continuity, legacy, and the ability to pass meaningful values from one generation to the next.