Meli became Hotelier of the Year 2025 during the closing night of the 37th edition of Virtuoso Travel Week, held this August in Las Vegas, the world’s leading event for luxury and experiential tourism. On September 8, he was presented with the city’s official parchment, the Pergamena, as a symbol of the city’s recognition and gratitude. The ceremony was held in the Salone dei Cinquecento of Palazzo Vecchio, in the presence of City Councillor for Economic Development, Tourism, Trade Fairs and Congresses, Jacopo Vicini.
What does the award mean to you?
This award is a great double satisfaction: it’s not just for its prestige and being recognized on a global level, but to have received it in relation to a small hotel of only 20 rooms, with Italian owners. The victory is for the artisanality of the experience we offer. It’s an homage to my city. Special thanks go to the Babini family, owners of the hotel that’s part of The Hospitality Experience collection, who have always given me the freedom to express my creativity and share the same values. For us, the future means continuing to tell the story of Florence to help visitors discover its truest soul.
What does hospitality mean to you?
Hospitality is my passion. From the very beginning of my career as a concierge affiliated with the Les Clefs d’Or, I have always strived to surprise my guests with unexpected and out-of-the-ordinary experiences in my beloved Florence. To me, hospitality is humanity: it means listening to and understanding each guest, with their tastes and personality, and crafting a tailor-made experience for each one, always different and unique. Nothing is standardized at The Place Florence. We’ve never had a traditional check-in procedure. We sit down with guests and share our love for this city.
