Art Hotel, a hotel group in Prato, Italy, has installed VR Corners at two of its properties, Hotel Milano and Hotel Museo. The corners let tourists take a free virtual journey through Prato's landmarks and industrial heritage from the hotel, before deciding whether to visit them in person.
The hotels joined a call published by the Comune di Prato under the EU project EPIC (Experience Prato Industrial Culture). According to local outlet Notizie di Prato, which reported on 22 October 2026, the VR Corners are now in service at both hotels.
What each corner includes
Each VR Corner is a dedicated space equipped with:
- a virtual reality headset
- a mini computer
- a touch-screen monitor
- a dedicated internet connection
- a charging station
- a seat for the user
- information material carrying the EPIC project's visual identity
Funding and purpose
The VR Corner project is cofinanced by the European Union through the European Urban Initiative and aims to promote the industrial heritage of Prato's textile district with digital tools. The programme's own description presents the corners as one way into the Prato Metaverse, alongside a VR Museum and VR Rooms.
Davide Bonari, a board member of Art Hotel, described the aim as capturing tourists' attention, previewing the area's attractions and encouraging visits to iconic places in the city.
