We often talk about the exclusive luxuries offered by 5-star hotels, from fine dining restaurants to charming suites, but less often about the services and exceptionally high standards that are the prerogative of a select few establishments—small treats that make all the difference and make a stay memorable.

The origins of most of these rituals date back to the 19th century, when, thanks in part to easier transportation, the aristocracy began to take long journeys: these were the dawn of tourism as we know it today.

Initially, elite guests were accompanied by their servants, whose job it was to ensure that everything, from the bed to the food, was perfect for their stay. This service, for those who were just starting to travel alone, was also offered by the first luxury hotels to make their guests feel at home.

Among the most beloved rituals is the couverture, or the preparation of the bedroom for the night. In addition to tidying up and creating the evening atmosphere—from closing the curtains to placing the rug and slippers by the bed—a special treat is left for the guest. For example, at the Hotel Villa Cipriani, a personalized box placed on the pillow contains a handmade praline or jelly sweets for a sweet evening, accompanied, upon request, by a bottle of sparkling wine.

This is one of the services offered by the staff of 5-star hotels, housekeepers who take deep care of cleanliness, order, and amenities in the rooms to ensure everything is perfect upon arrival.

Another “treat” of luxury stays is the concierge, derived from the French “comte des cierges,” meaning “count of the candles,” which in ancient times was the caretaker who took care of the keys and lighting of the buildings. Today, in hotels, the concierge is the professional figure who fulfills every request during their stay, from welcome services to booking any activity.

At Villa Cipriani, the concierge team can reserve and organize any experience, from a private visit to the nearby Antonio Canova Gypsotheca Museum or the most beautiful Palladian villas up to a tasting at the area’s finest wineries.

In addition, there are special experiences organized exclusively for Villa Cipriani: from creating your own perfume with a professional “nose,” to calligraphy, open-air painting, and yoga classes in the garden, to cooking lessons for Tiramisù and other specialties in the hotel kitchens.

And among the most beloved indulgences, how could we not mention breakfast in bed? At Hotel Villa Cipriani, it’s truly special—perhaps by booking rooms with a terrace and a view—and is served by the restaurant staff with a special trolley that, when needed, transforms into a table that can be positioned wherever guests prefer, perhaps near the balcony overlooking the stunning Asolo hills.

These are just some of the excellent services at Hotel Villa Cipriani, which reopens in grand style on March 13, 2026. Its infinity pool and magnificent English garden, one of the most beautiful in Italy, are ready to welcome guests under the watchful eye of its hostess, the splendid Sigrid Guillion-Mangilli Zanetti, who has led the hotel since 2012.

A service “fit for a king”…and queen, it is no coincidence that the Queen Mother of England was a beloved guest in 1987 (as per the photo of the Catalogo Generale dei Beni Culturali by Elio Ceolin).