Villa Roma in Callicoon: Sold

The famed Villa Roma Resort in Callicoon was purchased one week ago by an international group with a limited liability corporation dubbed Fay Hospitality Catskills, said Ira Steingart, the executive director and a member of the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency.

The IDA provided financial incentives for the company, headquartered in the United Kingdom and New York City, for approximately $15.7 million.

Villa Roma has been operating for over 50 years, initially operating with 46 hotel rooms. It now has grown to 24 timeshare buildings, 139 hotel rooms, 18-hole PGA Championship golf course, indoor and/or outdoor tennis, racquetball, volleyball, bocce, shuffleboard, basketball, indoor and outdoor heated pools, fun park, fishing pond, go-carts, bumper boats, arcade room, bowling alley, fitness center, nightly entertainment, and three year-round dining outlets.

Steingart said the new owners, who purchased the resort from long-time owner Marty Passante, will be investing considerable resources into upgrades.

“He really built that hotel up with Paul (Carlucci),” he said. “It’s great that they sold it to continue it operating and they do plan on investing, putting in a watering system for the golf course and they do have plans, and they plan on keeping it operating and the employees there, so it’s great.”

One sad note, though. Steingart said while the former owners closed on the purchase one week ago, four days later, Marty Passante passed away.