Hi, I'm Laura and, if you've already stayed at our hotel, you will definitely have seen me at reception or running backwards and forwards in the building! I have been thinking a lot during this very difficult time for us in Italy and would like to share my thoughts with you. After all I know that deep down you are a Freelosopher, just like me!

As you may know, we have always been Freelosphers and freedom has always been our main focus in life. However, we are now living a reality which is totally without freedom.

I always try to find the positive side of things and even this time I have managed to do so. I was born on Lake Garda, exactly in Torbole sul Garda, and this area has never been as beautiful as now, despite not being able to go out and about as before.

I am surrounded by a defeating silence. After being used to seeing so many people on the lake side, everything around me now feels surreal! Even the colours are different, there is a beautiful atmosphere around us and despite the social and physical distance that we have to keep, you can sense how united this country is.

How I would love you all to be here to take in this amazing atmosphere! You may think: "Well it's the usual Lake Garda, the reign of Mountain Biking, Windsurfing and Kitesurfing, where you can also go jogging or trekking." Yes you are right, it's always the same place.. a magical place! And I have never appreciated it as much as in the past few days.

Like all of you, I am also in lock down, however I am realising many things. You understand the value of hugs, of family and friends, of nature and last but not least, in my case, the value of our guests.

Here's my thought for you!

Have you imagined how amazing it will be to start travelling again? But most of all, have you thought of how great it will be to live your holiday not only as "somewhere to go" but as a real sensation of freedom.. of Freelosophy?

Together we will be able to travel without boundaries and enjoy the most amazing scenery that will appear even more beautiful than before! And when that time comes meeting on Lake Garda will be even more special than ever.

READ ON, BUT DON'T TELL MY BOSS ;)

You know the feeling when your boss gives you loads of things to do? Bookings, papers, reminders to do this and that and you don't even have time for a coffee?

Or you know when I keep saying that my colleague is the person I see the most of in my life? Well, mainly from April till October ;) !

Nooo I haven't finished yet!

You know the feeling when the barmaid prepares the wrong cocktails? I immediately get angry because I want everything to be perfect at the Hotel Santoni Freelosophy! Or maybe our breakfast girls have arrived a few minutes late,or the brioches are over cooked.. you can imagine the smoke coming out of my ears! Then there's our cleaning girls.. uuu it can even happen that they prepare room 101 instead of 110 and the guests are already in the hotel hall waiting. 

And the delivery companies? Yes, sometimes they make life even harder, they either get here late or bring the wrong products! Then there's the gardner that forgets some parts of the garden or the maintance man that forgets to fix a wobbly shelf.

It seems like a real disaster, right? Actually it's routine, when you work in a hotel you realise how many things and people are involved in the hotel life and a bit of confusion is normal in our job.. but you know what?

I miss all of this right now! I can't wait for the Hotel Santoni Freelosophy to reopen, I can't wait to go back to my work, behind reception, I can't wait to sort out all those problems and.. instead of getting angry I will laugh about it and think "finally I am back at work.. back to my life"

Thoughts of any receptionist, on Friday 19th March 2020.. in quarantine!

PS: I have to say, I do make mistakes sometimes but.. I just didn't want to admit it!!