Get to know Serena Santoni, who has been a Destination & Rental Specialist at Great Stays since 2021.
INTRODUCING MYSELF
My name is Serena Santoni, and I currently live in Orvieto, the city that I feel is home and that embodies for me beauty, authenticity, and quality of life.
Before returning here, I spent a year in London and three in Milan: experiences that broadened my horizons and enriched me with international stimuli, yet ultimately left space for the call of my roots, the same that guides many of our clients when choosing a second home in Italy.
I graduated in Political Science and began my career in the banking sector between Milan and London, a stimulating environment but distant from my true vocation. My path changed when I entered the tourism industry, a world I have been working in for over 15 years and feel deeply connected to. For 11 years, I collaborated with To Tuscany, an agency specialising in luxury rentals, discovering charming villas and farmhouses and learning to tell the stories of the territories through the lives of their inhabitants.
In this work, I found my place: combining the beauty of places with human relationships, experiencing the daily life of my territory while maintaining an open outlook on the world. It is precisely in this synthesis of local and global, between concreteness and poetry, that the true richness of my professional journey resides.
THE MEETING AND COLLABORATION WITH GREAT ESTATE
My involvement with Great Estate dates back to December 2021, when I had the opportunity to join the group to develop a new project: Great Stays, the business unit of Holding GE dedicated to luxury holiday rentals. An adventure born from the meeting of my experience in the tourism sector and the structured, innovative approach of the Great Estate group. From the very beginning, I found a dynamic and professional environment, with an international vision deeply rooted in the territories. Working with such a close-knit and motivated team, sharing values and enthusiasm, has laid the foundation for growing an ambitious project that today is a solid and expanding reality.
VALUES AND METHOD OF THE GROUP
The value I feel closest to is care: for relationships, properties, and details. Alongside this, transparency and professionalism are principles I consider fundamental. The method of Great Estate & Great Stays is solid and well-structured, yet it leaves room for personalisation and the human touch: essential elements in a sector where each house and each client represent a unique universe.
PROJECTS AND FUTURE GOALS
Looking ahead, my main goal is to continue growing within this organisation, strengthening relationships with property owners and guests, and expanding our portfolio of exclusive properties for an international clientele. I aim to contribute to the development of Great Stays by making teamwork processes increasingly smooth and effective, and by offering an experience that is not only efficient but also empathetic and engaging — both for those offering their homes and those living in them. Ultimately, our work is built on experiences, emotions, and human connections: turning these into something authentic and unforgettable is my daily challenge.
MY MOTTO AND ADVICE
If I had to share a motto, it would be:
“Follow what makes you feel alive and build your path from there.”
That’s exactly what I did, leaving a solid but unfulfilling career to embrace a world where I could truly express myself. And my advice? Value authentic relationships, beauty, and the ability to listen: these are the elements that truly make a difference, both in work and in life.
SERENA SANTONI
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