OUR STORY
The complete story of Albergo Sassella in Grosio revolves around the name “Jim”. The first Jim was Giacomo Sassella called “Strapazza”. He named the Hotel and he brought the nickname Jim (derived from the English “James”) from Australia.
Jim (from Australia) in the 1960 saw that his sister (Maria Sassella) had a talented nephew: Giacomo Pini. At this time Giacomo Pini still attended school in Switzerland at the college of Ilanz. This academy was renowned for its strict discipline and provided studies in German together with a serious approach to the skill required for organization and administrative capability.
At only 17 years of age Jim commenced his career in hospitality at the Hotel Stelvio in Tirano. Affable and cordial, whilst at the same time solicitous to the clientele, he gained the goodwill of refined Valtellina patrons.
At 22 years of age his first management experience was with the Hotel “Moderno” in Novara for a period of one year in collaboration with his mother and two brothers.
In 1969, benefiting from the experience in Novara, the Pini family felt prepared to undertake a bigger challenge: the Hotel Sassella. Giacomo Pini, in acquiring the proprietorship of this business, had the necessary vehicle to launch the Valtellina “gastronomica” cuisine. From this moment he was known as Jim, a respected name that he still bears today.
In 1969 the Hotel was radically different to the service it presents today. In the first 10 years Jim sought to revitalize the facilities and he modernized the internal of the accommodation.
The restaurant began to be recognized and supported because of the desirable location adjacent to the Church of Saint Giuseppe and in proximity to the Hospital “Visconti Venosta”, today operating as a retirement home for the aged.
In 1976 the family decided a major reconstruction bringing the Hotel Sassella to its present eminent status. This permitted the creation of a banquet room on the first floor and an increase of the capacity of the Restaurant. The official opening was celebrated in 1977.
Jim meanwhile researched and developed his knowledge of the wine industry. He was in fact one of the first professional sommeliers in Italy and the principal delegate AIS for the province of Sondrio. Today he is also a professional member of the Gilde Swiss des Sommelier, of the Union Swiss des Maitres d’Hotel and of the Association of Hotel Directors.
The subsequent years have seen a rise in the fame of Sassella. Quite properly in this period Jim acquired the title of “World ambassador of the Valtellina cuisine”. During 1974 he accompanied the Italian skiing team to Saint Moritz together with the coach Mario Cotelli and prepared meals of specialties of the Valtellina. The FISI (Federation of Italian Winter Sport) were enthusiastic of this initiative and the same year “Casa Italia” (today “Casa Fisi”) was born. During the Olympics and the World skiing Championship the restaurant catered for our sportsman in Austria, Canada, Switzerland, USA, France, Japan, Scandinavia, Spain before returning to Saint Moritz in 2003. The excellent spirit of the team with the friendship created played a significant role in securing the World skiing Championship at Bormio in 1985, an historical event for the Valtellina.
Jim with enthusiasm and discretion, assisted by his father Battista, supported personally the triumphs of the great Alberto Tomba and with considerable satisfaction, watched the growth of our own Debora Compagnoni and celebrated with her numerous victories. In 2003 at Saint Moritz FISI recognized, with a special award, the 30 years of collaboration. In 2005 Jim continued supporting the World skiing Championship event at Bormio.
The Hotel Sassella in these years was a meeting place for the residents of Grosio and others, especially for important occasions and marriage celebrations.
The outcome of this work meant that Jim lead the field in a public relations, establishing recognition of the Hotel beyond all borders. In itself publicity wasn’t important to Jim; his main desire was to retain the quality of interpersonal relationship. A friendly atmosphere with quick, attentive staff, together with an excellent kitchen has ensured a repeat clientele.
Jim has successfully passed on to his family the passion and dedication for work and acceptance of sacrifices needed to achieve a great level of satisfaction. Jim in fact has the will and desire for constant improvement.
After remodeling the bedrooms in 2001 he built an elegant timber gazebo adjacent to the park of “Villa Visconti Venosta”. This created an opportunity for organizing banquets and receptions in beautiful surroundings.
The ultimate achievement of this program of continuing excellence has meant the Hotel offers an extraordinary standard of accommodation, hospitality and professional service in the warmth of a family atmosphere.
