Marie-Louise Sciò oozes Italy’s la dolce vita. Growing up in a Slim Aarons photograph at her family’s legendary hotel on the Tuscan coast, Il Pellicano, Marie-Louise is now at the helm of the Pellicano hotel group as CEO and Creative Director. Here we take a few moments to be whisked away to bella Italia and talk travel in a post-pandemic world.
Name: Marie-Louise Sciò
Your home base: Rome
Aside from a passport, the three items you always travel with: A white t-shirt, a utility jacket and a pair of Birkenstocks
Your perfect meal on the road – what & where: Pizza al taglio anywhere in Italy
The best thing you’ve read in the last six months: Palomar by Calvino, I read it over and over
Your travel soundtrack: Van Morrison
The one place you’ve been that you think everyone should visit, and why: Italy, it’s got it all
The one place you’ll always return to, no matter how many times: Patagonia
The one Never-Have-I-Ever destination that you hope to visit, and why: Nova Scotia, I love nature
The one thing that most surprised you on your last trip: The warmth of southern Italy
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What did your “This is What I’m Going to Do” moment look like?
For the past 15 years, I have been travelling across the beautiful Italian coast on a weekly basis. I have had the fortune of meeting and working with extraordinary people. From artists to writers, photographers, designers, artisans, wine makers, filmmakers and incredibly amazing people from all walks of life. I discovered gems during my travels and really wanted to create a one stop-shop to share them with the world. This was the birth of Issimo, our new e-commerce and lifestyle platform. It is the digital extension of our Pellicano world, an immersive journey into our culture, philosophy and taste. In Issimo you will find a reflection of our love for quality and excellence: people, style, culture, food, editorial, interviews, recipes, exclusive collaborations, insider tips, and so much more. I like to call it a place for everything Italian. This what I wanted to do: help people discover small Italian gems and go slightly underneath the skin of Italy, online.
How would you describe a typical day?
Atypical. Not one day is like the other. I spend a lot of time in each of our hotels, overseeing all areas hands-on. I'm in the boutiques, researching, curating, stocking. As an architect, I am designing and decorating. I'm curating the hotels' culture from pop-ups and playlists to table tops, film library, and conversations at the bar with extraordinary people. There is absolutely nothing typical about my life, no 9 to 5 schedule. It’s a mix.
What is your favourite part of what you do?
The creative part which is most of what I do, and travelling.
2020 is certainly going to be a year that is remembered and Italy was of course one of the first countries affected by the pandemic, so how have the challenges over the last few months – especially as a hotelier – changed your outlook on your business and also personally?
The lockdown affected me deeply. If you can imagine the description I just shared with you about my life, then imagine what it was like to have it come to a complete stop! I felt very restless and the thought of not opening the hotels broke my heart. I could not fathom not being with my team, seeing our guests and taking care of them, travelling. But it wasn’t all bad – the entire Scio clan got together and we did part of the lockdown at La Posta Vecchia. That helped a lot and gave us all time to spend together – which is precious, and rare! Then thankfully things started levelling and we were able to open our hotels. And the launch of Issimo kept me very busy, so I am happy to find the usual rhythm of my life.
As an avid traveller where in the world inspires you most?
Where there are few people like Iceland, Lapland, Patagonia, Castellucio di Norcia… I need landscapes.
Share with us one of your favourite snap-shots from the past 12 months.
Mezzatorre’s day one of re-opening, and my 18 year-old son & nephew (below).
Finally, where have you set your sights on next?
Somewhere in the mountains.
