The Personal Touch
With its new ongoing editorial series ‘The Personal Touch’, Portrait Hotels turns its attention to the individuals who shape the character of its properties in Milan, Florence and Rome: hosts, concierges, chefs, bartenders and members of the lifestyle team, whose stories, rituals and local perspectives become part of the Portrait Experience.
The focus is on personal insights, everyday Italian culture and those small gestures that turn a stay into more than just a trip. Rather than simply showcasing places, the series tells the stories of the people, memories and traditions that define the Italian way of life.
A journey through the rituals, gestures and encounters that define Italy
The first issue is dedicated to the Italian rituals that fill an entire day: from the first whiff of mocha in the morning, through long lunches and the aperitivo at sunset, to a midnight spaghettata in Milan. These moments are recounted by the people behind Portrait Hotels, whose personal perspectives and stories shape the hotels.
In Italian, there is just one word for both guest and host: ‘ospite’. It describes a form of hospitality in which the relationship between people is more important than the roles themselves. It is precisely this attitude that also defines the Portrait Experience.
For Simone Thomas Bisin, F&B Operations Manager at Portrait Milano, hospitality means, above all, attentiveness, intuition and the sense of welcoming people even before their wishes have been voiced. For him, genuine hospitality is born of small gestures: a sincere smile, remembering personal preferences, or the ability to be present without taking centre stage. It’s about allowing people to become part of something personal and human. Something that feels like home.
07:30 – The aroma of mocha in the morning
At Portrait Hotels, the day begins gently. Just like an Italian Sunday morning at home: with bread and jam, homemade cakes, fresh pastries and the aroma of coffee from the mocha pot, which fills the room and awakens the senses. These are moments without haste. Moments to linger, chat and savour.
The breakfast buffets at Portrait Milano, Portrait Firenze and Portrait Roma are inspired by familiar Italian flavours and homemade recipes: Torta Paradiso, Veneziana, Maritozzi, crostata with red fruits, or classic chocolate cakes such as Tenerina or Capri. Natural light, a tranquil atmosphere and views of the city create a special sense of calm amidst urban life.
Above all, the moka pot symbolises a slice of everyday Italian life. In the restaurants of Portrait Hotels, it is brought directly to the table, just like at home. The aroma, the sound and the gesture of pouring become part of the experience. It’s not just about coffee, but about memories, emotions and the feeling of authentic Italian culture.
Giuliana Piredda, Breakfast Manager at the 10_11 Bar Giardino Ristorante at Portrait Milano, comes from Sardinia, a region of Italy renowned for its exceptional quality of life. After several years in the UK, she returned to Italy and is now responsible for the breakfast experience for guests and visitors at the 10_11.
“After eight years in London, my perfect breakfast definitely consists of savoury things: eggs, crispy bacon, avocado and toasted brown bread. But when I think of a breakfast that really feels Italian to me, it’s quite simply bread with butter and jam. Preferably with warm, thick fette biscottate so the butter melts slightly, accompanied by a jam with real pieces of fruit and, of course, a hot cup of mocha coffee.”
13:00 – A plate of pasta and the Italian way of life
In Italy, pasta is far more than just a dish. It symbolises time spent together, conversations and rituals that bring people together. At Portrait Roma, this experience begins right at the market. Guests join the team in visiting local producers and selecting ingredients for classic Roman pasta dishes such as carbonara, cacio e pepe, gricia or amatriciana, before the recipes are prepared on the exclusive rooftop terrace.
Alessia Recalchi, Breakfast Manager at Portrait Roma, was born in Rome and knows the city down to the smallest detail. With her natural flair for hospitality and her love of Italian cuisine, she shapes daily life at the hotel. When she’s not working, she cooks, goes for a run or explores new culinary spots around the city. “Our experience is deeply rooted in Rome and brings some of the city’s most popular specialities straight to our guests’ tables.”
At Portrait Firenze, too, pasta becomes part of a typical Italian ritual. ‘Fare la scarpetta’ – using a piece of bread to mop up the last drops of sauce from your plate – is one of those small gestures in Italy that epitomises a culture of genuine enjoyment. At Caffè dell’Oro, this ritual is reimagined using regional ingredients from Tuscany: spaghetti with Tuscan tomatoes, herbs, ricotta, garlic and olive oil from the region.
7.00 pm – The golden hour of the aperitivo
As the sun slowly sets over Florence, the Caffè dell’Oro at the Portrait Firenze is bathed in golden light. With a view of the Ponte Vecchio, the aperitivo here becomes a daily ritual of togetherness. Classic cocktails, selected wines and small dishes such as the iconic Anytime Fries create moments that are less about the pace and more about savouring the moment.
At Portrait Milano, too, the aperitivo is an integral part of Milanese culture. In the 10_11 Bar, the aperitivo trolley makes its rounds between the tables every day, accompanied by conversation, music and the aroma of freshly mixed drinks. Classics such as the Negroni, Americano and Spritz are crafted right in front of the guests.
Bar Manager Daniel Selby, who grew up in Milan in a family of bartenders, is responsible for this experience. Having worked in Milan and spent six years at the renowned Connaught Bar in London, he now combines international cocktail culture with the elegance of the traditional Milanese aperitivo.
At Portrait Roma, the aperitivo is interpreted in a quieter, more intimate way. The rooftop terrace, with views over the rooftops of Rome, is more reminiscent of an elegant living room than a classic bar. Signature cocktails such as the ‘Roof Flower’ or the non-alcoholic ‘Portrait Mule’ accompany relaxed evenings under the Roman sky.
23:45 – The Midnight Spaghettata
As the evening at the 10_11 Bar in Milan slowly turns into night, one of the most quintessentially Italian rituals of all begins: the Spaghettata di Mezzanotte.
Amidst the music, cocktails and conversation, a simple classic suddenly appears on the tables: spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino. A dish that has been a staple of long nights with friends in Italy for generations. Someone gets peckish, someone suggests pasta, and everyone joins in.
Shortly before midnight, the aroma of garlic, olive oil and chilli fills the room. Guests twirl their spaghetti, carry on laughing, order another drink and let the evening draw to a close at a leisurely pace.
This is how the day ends at Portrait Hotels: not with perfection or theatrics, but with that relaxed form of Italian hospitality that turns simple rituals into special memories.
© Portrait Hotels and Resorts
