We spent 2 weeks in Italy and rented 4 apartments. Gianni's apartment was the final apartment before we left Italy. Staying at this apartment left us with 2 very positive memories.
Firstly, we had just alighted from a Trenitalia train from Venice and had encountered an unfriendly and unkind service staff in the buffet car. Finding Gianni waiting for us at the apartment took the gloom away. He was very pleasant and welcoming as he explained the ins-and-outs of the apartment to us. And like other non-intrusive hosts, he left us to the privacy of the apartment but assured us of his availability if we encountered any problems. We did not have to trouble him again but it was good to know (since it was our first trip to Rome) that he was nearby if we needed help. He provided lots of useful and relevant information which we relied on (directions to the supermarket, restaurants, how to kick start the wifi if it frozed etc).
Secondly, it was the first time (in all the 4 apartments we stayed in) that we felt like it was "home". We did not expect it but the kitchen was well stocked with biscuits, coffee, tea, milk, water and even beer! Gianni also put on a CD about Rome which gave us an introduction to the city. There were also other CDs (eg Roman Holiday) which we watched over supper/breakfast. Its the little thoughtfulness which Gianni put in for the guests in his apartment which made a big difference to the experience.
Thank you so much Gianni, and if we had stayed longer in Rome, we would have loved to have taken you out to dinner.