Hospitality, in my opinion, is that heartfelt “goodbye” at the end of each stay.

I'd like to return to the idea of hospitality understood as "I'm welcoming you into my home" , a bit like the original intuition of the founders of Airbnb, who initially offered simple beds to make ends meet.

Since that distant 2007, the industry has changed radically. Today, portals like Airbnb and Booking dominate the global market, and the role of the host has transformed.

From sharing to hotel frenzy

Over the years, the owner who offered his home as an independent alternative to a hotel has given way to a professional figure, often pushed by portals to compete on the volumes and standards of large 5-star hotels.

Totally focused on reviews, the goal for many is no longer to make the guest feel at home, but to maintain a perfect score, living in constant anxiety of an imperfect rating.

The dictatorship of reviews and "bad guests"

This dynamic has unfortunately given rise to a new category of travelers: those who know they hold the upper hand. They know that portals tend to protect customers at all costs and that hosts have few alternatives.

They're the few who always find a way to complain to get free refunds, who threaten bad reviews if they don't accommodate impossible check-in times, or who forget the basic rules of respecting the home and recycling. Fortunately, this is rare, but the process remains exhausting.

Why I Refuse Compulsive Self-Check-In

Yet, the idea of welcoming people and making them feel at ease was the driving force that made me start this wonderful adventure years ago.

For this reason, I've never considered blindly relying on self-check-in. Being sociable and curious by nature, I love being the "hostess," getting to know everyone who walks through the door and offering personalized advice on how to best experience the area. I simply asked myself what I'd like to receive if I were far from home, and the rest came naturally.

The value of human bonds

My hospitality almost always involves wonderful encounters. With many guests, I create a bond that transcends the stay: we stay in touch during difficult times, we stay in touch remotely, and sometimes, we form genuine friendships.

This, after all, is the essence of hospitality, in my opinion: welcoming, meeting, getting to know, helping, and being able to bid everyone a heartfelt "goodbye" at the end of each stay. Because even if it was just for a few days, it was a precious encounter, and I'll always be happy to repeat it.

If you believe in hospitality based on care, attentiveness, and genuine attention, discover our apartments and come experience Rome and Sicily with us.