Special RepoRt
Indiani says , “( Zucchetti ) learned the dynamics of an international company . And then at the Bauer , he started to learn the dynamic of a small company , and he got the best of both to perform so well at Villa d ’ Este .” He adds , “ He has an extraordinary capacity of dealing with his own people at every level . He has been patient and very clever in selecting the right people to assist him .”
Maintaining excellence “ My definition ( before the pandemic ) was that luxury is not synonymous with ostentation , but it ’ s the opposite of mediocrity ,” Zucchetti says . “ You can have many definitions of luxury , but I think luxury is whatever you do with the excellent mindset . Everything needs to be excellent , which doesn ’ t mean opulence or ostentation .”
Especially now , it includes providing what people have been craving for months : time and space . “ I think we are going back more to the analogical , slowing down the pace . That ’ s what I see as the need of the guests , to slow down the pace and to really appreciate the thread of time .” He sees himself as the caretaker of the property and its history .
So does Droulers , whose family had owned the hotels since the early 1960s . Based on what he knew of Zucchetti ’ s experience at the Bauer , “ I thought the background of Mr . Zucchetti fit very well with the Villa d ’ Este atmosphere ,” he says . “ He was very much keen to maintain the atmosphere of that older hotel , and to adapt to it instead of having the building adapt to his thinking of what a hotel should be … Of course , a hotelier needs to be extremely attentive . He has to have a keen eye . When he enters into a room he must understand at once what is going on , what is right , what is wrong . And I think that Mr . Zucchetti has that quality
I thInk ( ZucchettI Is ) very patIent . i think that he ’ s very wise . he lIstens to people and he takes the tIme to take the decIsIon .
Ezio indiani
38 hotelsmag . com November / December 2020