Antica Dimora del Gruccione

Tell us about your property

Antica Dimora del Gruccione is one of the first examples of an Albergo Diffuso in Italy. It is located in the village of Santu Lussurgiu, in the Oristano hinterland, and originates from an 18th-century patrician residence that has always been owned by my family.

It was opened in 2002 by my mother with the idea of creating a "cultural stronghold" for the area, focusing even then on sustainable tourism.

For this reason, the pre-existing structures were preserved, maintaining their distinctive features: oak beams, wrought iron, stone vaults, antique furnishings, books, and collections handed down through generations.

Today, Gruccione consists of three buildings with a total of fifteen rooms. Most of our guests are international, although in recent years, due to the pandemic, many Italians have "rediscovered" us. We work with OTAs as well as small agencies and tour operators, but 60% of our bookings are direct.

Switching to Smartpricing was simple—a natural evolution. We had no doubts or fears, especially after seeing how easy it was to use. Sometimes prices increase significantly, which surprises me a little, but we’ve seen a positive response from customers, so… it’s working great!

How were your rates managed before Smartpricing?

I was in charge of the rates: they weren’t static, but they weren’t truly dynamic either. Typically, I set a price list at the beginning of the season, differentiating it into two or three seasonal periods, adding a markup for OTAs and a dedicated rate for agencies. Then, about once a month, I would make small adjustments.

Why did you decide to try Smartpricing?

We’re a small family business, and time is always in short supply. I studied revenue management and had suspected for some time that there was room for improvement. I tried to optimize prices myself, but I couldn’t find the time needed to do it properly.

Then, through our property management system, you came along. Your timing was perfect!

How was the transition from the old price list to Smartpricing?

For us, it was straightforward—a natural evolution. We had no doubts or fears, especially after we saw how simple it was to use. The software allows us to set minimum rates below which we won’t go, so we feel reassured.

Of course, sometimes prices increase significantly, which can be a bit surprising, but we’ve seen positive responses from customers, so… it’s all good! I wouldn’t go back to the old price list.

What is the biggest benefit of Smartpricing for you?

We’ve only been using it for a year, and we’ve already seen excellent results. What I appreciate the most is the time saved and the fact that I no longer have to think so much about pricing. Previously, I had to reflect, calculate, and adjust the rates; now, it’s all much easier and more convenient.