We celebrated Palazzo Florio’s third anniversary at the end of June - the perfect moment to browse our photo albums and get nostalgic.
On the balcony on the opening night in June 2020.
2020 - the first season
Now that I look back on 2020, it’s all a blur. We were supposed to open at Easter, then the pandemic and lockdowns changed everything. Fortunately, I was able to find relief in art and photography, which I wrote about in the April blog. We were able to inaugurate the Boutique Residence with a few months’ delay at the end of June.
To call it inauguration, of course is an overstatement. Pandemic rules banned gatherings of all kinds, so there was no party, no festivities. Just Umberto and I having champagne on the balcony. Even so, a memorable moment for us two.
Umberto test-driving the Junior Suite, June 2020.
So was the previous week when we did a “test drive” of the rooms. Umberto and I slept in each room, took a shower in each bathroom, tried out everything. It was a lot of fun and helped fine-tune many details.
We expected a calm first weekend, being new on all the online portals… but no, the very first Saturday the house was full! And the rest of the 2020 season continued incredibly busy. Italians wanted to get out and about and travel at least domestically. Our occupancy rate in August 2020 was a round 100%.
A fun photo shoot with Le Foto di Giulia in July 2020.
Late at night at our first anniversary party, June 2021.
2021 - the second season
At the end of April 2021, the lockdowns in Italy finally ended and we could run our first complete season. It was an exceptionally strong summer for the seaside localities here because almost all Italians took their vacation in Italy. I remember some evenings were so crowded it was difficult to walk in the streets of the historic center.
At the end of June 2021, we could finally organize a party, as long as it was outdoors, so we celebrated the first anniversary with friends and collaborators in Via Santa Maria. We almost ran out of prosecco that night…
2022 - the third season
Anniversary night in June 2022.
Spring/Summer 2022 finally made it possible for International Guests to reach our lovely Adriatic town. It was a wonderful, fun summer. We did not sleep much, going out with Guests most nights!
We also added new services, namely offering our Guests the possibility to also book a number of experiences, such as winery visits and guided bike tours on the Trabocchi coast.
2023 - the fourth season
Now, we’re in the middle of the 2023 season, a delightful summer with different nationalities staying with us every week.
We’ve kept the constant improvement and ideation spirit going, fine-tuning little details in the rooms and our services. We also launched complete packages for Guests who would like us to organize their dream vacation.
What’s next?
At the anniversary lunch, June 2023.
Time will tell. For now, we keep enjoying the long, hot summer and having a great time with our Guests. It’s a delight to see so many of them from previous years returning. And new friendships are created. You guessed it right, we’re not sleeping much this summer, either!
Happy and hot summer greetings to you,
Anita & Umberto
Comments, questions? Email me at anita@palazzoflorio.com
Go to the Welcome page.