It’s a moment that some travelers relish—but many dread. Moments after walking into my spacious and luxurious room at one of Rome’s most storied addresses, I heard a knock on the door. A few seconds later, a perfectly coiffed man in a tailored tuxedo strode inside, his perfection—in haberdashery and grooming—forming a stark contrast to the battered state of my carry-on suitcase sitting nearby. Not to mention my own rather downmarket, travel-ready outfit.
But from the start, the man made it clear that he had one purpose. He was at my service. Butlers were standard here at St. Regis Rome. He showed me the phone, which even had a dedicated button to ring them 24 hours a day. “If you need anything at all, just push this,” he said, “and whatever you need, we will make sure to take care of you.”
