He Survived Brain Cancer—And Became Italy’s Most Celebrated Hotelier

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Paolo Lorenzoni, the legendary General Manager of The Gritti Palace. Known for hosting world dignitaries, celebrities, and royalty, Paolo opens up about his extraordinary career—and the diagnosis that nearly ended it all. Before arriving at The Gritti, Paolo held leadership roles at some of the most prestigious hotels in the world. But just as his career was reaching new heights, a sudden brain cancer diagnosis threatened to take everything away. After undergoing surgery, he returned to the industry stronger than ever, stepping into the role of General Manager at one of the most iconic hotels in Venice, just as it was about to undergo a multimillion-euro restoration. With over four decades in luxury hospitality, he shares the lessons that shaped him, the standards he refuses to compromise on, and the secrets behind creating unforgettable guest experiences. From surviving a health crisis to stewarding one of Italy’s most luxurious properties, Paolo’s story is a rare glimpse into the resilience and passion behind true five-star hospitality. Connect with Paolo: The Gritti Palace Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Gritti Epicurean School - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Gritti Palace Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Club Del Doge Restaurant - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to this week's sponsors! Lodgify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lodgify.com/?afmc=28y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code SUITE20 for 20% off all annual plans FeedCheck Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FeedCheck.co/SuiteSuccess⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to book a demo! Flytographer Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flytographer.com/SuiteSuccess⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $25 off your first shoot! Links: Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suite Success Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Katie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  — Suite Success is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hospitality.FM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcast network and a Hospitality.FM Original. If you like this podcast, then you'll also love our other podcasts directly on Hospitality.FM! Thank you to all of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hospitality.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FM Partners that help make this show possible, and if you like this show, please leave us a review and share it on your network!