A hotel can impress with its architecture, setting, or experiences, but what makes it truly memorable is often less tangible: the people who bring it to life. At Sina Villa Medici, a historic retreat in the heart of Florence, the city’s spirit meets the warmth of Italian hospitality through the people who welcome guests, care for the details, and create moments worth remembering.
Photographed by David Glauso
We spoke with Fernando Pane, General Manager, and for him Hospitality begins with something that cannot always be seen: an energy shared among the team that guests ultimately feel for themselves. From the quiet magic of an aperitivo in the garden to the desire to return and discover something new, he reflects on the experiences and emotions that make the property special.
– What does Sina Villa Medici mean to you personally, and what is one thing about the property that you think guests can feel but perhaps cannot see?
For me, Sina Villa Medici is much more than a beautiful hotel. It is a place where a unique energy is created and shared every day.
What I believe our guests can truly feel, even if they cannot always see it, is this genuine sense of well-being, positive energy, and elegant joy that lives within the property. These are two of the elements I am most proud of and that give me the greatest energy in my daily work: seeing people feel good and creating moments of refined, authentic enjoyment.
I deeply believe that these feelings cannot be created by one person alone. They have to be shared first within the Team. When we genuinely share this energy, passion, and sense of well-being, it naturally reaches our guests. They may not be able to identify exactly where it comes from, but they can feel it.
For me, that invisible energy is one of the most precious things about Sina Villa Medici and one of the reasons I am so proud to be part of it.
– If you could choose one detail, ritual, place, or moment at Sina Villa Medici that captures its spirit, what would it be — and why?
If I had to choose one ritual that captures the spirit of Sina Villa Medici, it would be sitting in our garden at aperitivo time.
For me, it is a truly magical moment — a moment to slow down and find a sense of serenity after a long day. Sitting there, looking at the peaceful garden and especially at the pool with its beautiful statue, while listening to the sound of the fountain blending with the gentle sounds of the city, creates something very special.
And then there is the piano — its music becoming part of this unique atmosphere, together with the water, the garden and the sounds of Florence around us.
It is a beautiful contrast between the tranquility of our garden and the vibrant energy of the city. For a few moments, everything comes together: nature, art, music, Florence and the elegant spirit of Sina Villa Medici.
That is, for me, a little ritual that perfectly captures what makes this place so special.
– Imagine a guest leaving Sina Villa Medici after their stay. What is the one feeling or memory you would hope each person takes with them?
I would hope that every guest leaves Sina Villa Medici with one simple feeling: the desire to come back.
In my vision, Sina Villa Medici is becoming more and more a container of experiences — a place where there is always something new to discover, something to feel, or a different detail to appreciate.
Perhaps a guest cannot experience everything during one stay, and I think that is part of the magic. I would love for them to leave with the feeling that they have discovered something special, but also with the curiosity and desire to return and discover something new next time.
For me, that is one of the most beautiful things we can give our guests: not only a beautiful memory of their stay, but the feeling that there is still more of Sina Villa Medici waiting for them.
Ultimately, for Fernando Pane, the true art of hospitality lies in creating a feeling that stays with guests long after they leave — and a reason to return to Florence, where there is always something more to discover.