2 Properties
2 Years Experience
1 City
> 7,500 Guests
A Passion and Love of Hospitality
Catania, Sicily. Aulino House, a unique guesthouse just a stone's throw from the Central Station, Le Ciminiere, and Villa Bellini, is the brainchild of brothers Antonio and Domenico. We had the privilege of delving into their journey in the short-term rental business.
Join us as we learn about the story of this distinctive accommodation, the driving force behind its managers, and the role Smoobu plays in streamlining their daily operations.
Aulino House: A Guesthouse in the Heart of Catania
The Aulino House brand was established in March 2023, following a business trip to Pescara, during which Antonio and Domenico unintentionally booked accommodation with a shared bathroom. Shortly after, the idea emerged: why not attempt to create something similar with the recently acquired property, the building, into a guest house featuring five functional rooms, two shared bathrooms, and a kitchen with all the required essentials?
Before opening the accommodation business, however, they needed to find the perfect name for their brand. After some reflection, they concluded that there was no better name than “Aulino House," named in honour of the property's former owner, a family friend who had raised them almost like a grandmother.
A travel lover, she was born in the north of Italy and moved to Catania because she fell in love with the city. She would undoubtedly have been delighted to see her apartment transformed into a meeting point for tourists from all over the globe.
Antonio, Domenico, and Smoobu
Today, nearly two years later, Aulino House has become a key destination for tourists visiting Catania. On Airbnb, the property boasts approximately 700 reviews, and Domenico and Antonio maintain Superhost status. Several rooms, likewise, bear the recognition of being Loved by Guests. Their listing on Booking.com also achieves outstanding results, with reviews exceeding 9 in all categories.
But who are Antonio and Domenico, and what role does Smoobu play in managing Aulino House? Antonio, 24, has extensive experience in the hospitality field, having worked for three years at a resort. Domenico, 25, is a travel enthusiast who is constantly seeking out new places and cultures.
Smoobu became a staple of operations one month after Aulino House opened. Initially, it assisted them in managing rates and reservations on Airbnb. Later, once the listing was created on Booking.com, the Channel Manager feature enabled them to synchronize their availability calendars automatically. Over time, they have added various functions and integrations, including a Guest Guide, smart locks, and a Dynamic Pricing tool.
Now, they can dedicate time to focus on what they care about most: providing their guests with a welcoming, comfortable, and enjoyable stay.
Antonio and Domenico's Concept of Hospitality
The hosts of Aulino House clearly understand the true meaning of hospitality. They recognize that travelers who choose non-hotel accommodations like theirs seek a more authentic experience. They desire a human relationship that feels more familiar than formal, and they want to connect with the local area.
This is why the pair is always ready to provide guests with helpful information and advice about Catania. In fact, the city offers so much that travelers often risk overlooking hidden gems—lesser-known spots that are frequently more valued.
Antonio explains:
“When our guests arrive, they view us as a reference point for everything. They must adapt to a new place and culture. We recognize this and strive to be as practical and straightforward as possible to ensure they have a problem-free stay.”
The brothers' warm and approachable nature resonates with their guests, often leading to continued communication even after their stay. It's common for guests to stay in touch with them on WhatsApp and social media or even return to Aulino House on their next visit to Catania.
Another key element for Domenico and Antonio is providing their guests with the highest possible standard of cleanliness, an essential factor when offering accommodation with shared bathrooms. After all, you may like the furniture or not, but no guest wants to stay somewhere where cleanliness is not a priority.
The Guests of Aulino House
What target groups do Domenico and Antonio welcome to their property? About 70% are couples, mostly from abroad. Additionally, there are university students and Italian workers in Catania for a few days, either for an exam or a business meeting. Many of them are pretty young, including children, who are experiencing solo travel for the first time.
It's a pleasure to meet different people from all over the world every day. For those who love to travel like us, this kind of work is also a bit like traveling. - Domenico
Managing Aulino House with Smoobu
Antonio and Domenico's foresight in using Smoobu from the outset has proven wise, saving them from several potential issues. The software's user-friendly interface and continuous improvements align with their commitment to enhancing their accommodation.
Smoobu's mentality is a bit like ours. Just as we are always trying to improve our apartment, Smoobu is always trying to make new improvements. It's also straightforward and intuitive. When we use it, we know where and what to click on and have everything at our fingertips. - Antonio
To better manage their guesthouse, they have divided up the tasks:
- Antonio mainly uses the calendar function to check rates and reservations daily and change percentages when necessary.
- Domenico uses Smoobu more for organizational purposes. As the person in charge of the laundry, it's essential that he can easily keep track of guests' arrival and departure. He told us about it:
“The first thing to do in the morning is to organize the day based on check-ins. Smoobu helps you with this since you can see all the necessary information and plan your work on a single page.”
But that's not all. In addition to price management and the centralized calendar, several functions are particularly important in managing Aulino House.
Channel Manager: An Extra Pair of Hands
From the beginning of their short-term rental business, Antonio and Domenico wondered how to manage multiple listings on different booking platforms. That's how they discovered the existence of channel managers.
Antonio believes that a Channel Manager is essential even for small businesses. Rather than an extra expense, it should be seen as an investment:
“It's like having an extra employee, someone who helps you and avoids problems, such as overbooking.”
Statistics: Essential for Business Growth
The analysis and statistics section is also fundamental for Antonio and Domenico, who analyze the different graphs once a month to understand the direction their business is taking.
They need to be able to study the trend of bookings per portal to understand if it is time to change prices or run a promotion.
Invoices: An Indispensable Resource
Smoobu offers its hosts the possibility of creating invoice templates to insert the amount, the sender's details, and the business logo. Unlike paper receipts, digital templates save the Aulino House brothers time and effort.
Integrations: Simplifying Tasks
Domenico and Antonio have offered self-check-in since the beginning of their business. Living 20 minutes by car from Aulino House, this integration allows them to offer better service to guests while avoiding unnecessary stress. They use a Dynamic Pricing tool to manage prices and adapt them to competition, seasonality, and local events.
It seems like something that many underestimate, but Smoobu integrations such as locks and all the software related to pricing are essential. - Antonio
Support: Reliable and Available
Finally, they are delighted with Smoobu's support team. When they had a problem, the team helped them solve it quickly! Having someone you can count on is essential for hosts who want to manage their properties without worry.
The Future of Aulino House
Smoobu was the first piece of the puzzle. From there, Domenico and Antonio worked hard to grow and expand their short-term rental business. In 2025, there will be many new developments: a new direct booking website, new team members, and a new guesthouse opening in January!
As if that weren't enough, plans are already underway to open a third accommodation facility, which will be completed just before summer.
Domenico and Antonio's Advice
What can novice vacation rental owners learn from Antonio and Domenico's experience? Here are some tips:
- Don't lose concentration and focus: there will be much work to do at the beginning.
- Don't get nervous when you receive negative reviews; they're inevitable. The important thing is to understand the reason for the review and act accordingly.
- To be successful and avoid problems, you must always keep up with the times and regulations.
- It's beneficial to seek help when needed, such as by utilizing a channel manager or other helpful integrations. Having someone or software assist you is vital, making your days more manageable.
- Remember, the hospitality mindset is essential. Focus on your guests: ask them what they need and try the rooms yourself. Above all, put yourself in their shoes.
Travelers who book your accommodation rely on you and your services. They find your property online, look at some photos, and read a few reviews. They don't know who you are and aren't sure if they'll enjoy their stay. Perhaps they've worked all year to afford this vacation. The least you can do as a host is to reciprocate their hospitality.
Hospitality is that bond that transforms a room rental with shared bathrooms into a comfortable facility that you will remember fondly. - Antonio
Simplify Short-term Rental Management Like Antonio and Domenico
Antonio and Domenico have built a successful business from scratch. They put effort and passion into their projects daily, allowing them to develop their business and open new accommodation facilities.
We are pleased to see how Smoobu has simplified hosts' lives and helped them grow. We wish them good luck for the future and look forward to synchronizing the booking of their new accommodation!
Smoobu's practical and user-friendly features can help you automate daily tasks and achieve success with your short-term rental. If you're interested in learning more, try our software for free for 14 days, with no obligation.
