Today we’d like to introduce you to Salvatore Ross.
Hi Salvatore, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi, my name is Salvatore, but you can call me Sal. I’m a 100% Italian-American, born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and now living in Miami, Florida. Hospitality has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in an Italian family, hosting wasn’t just something we did it was a way of life. During the holidays, our home was always filled with family, laughter, and homemade Italian dishes and desserts. Everyone was welcome, and making people feel at home came naturally to us.
As I got older, my passion for hosting merged with my love for travel. I’ve explored places near and far including J16 countries and 18 states across the U.S. What always stood out to me during my travels was how much the place you stay can shape your entire experience. The best trips weren’t just about the destination they were about feeling at home, even when I was thousands of miles away.
That realization sparked something in me. I saw an opportunity to create stays that weren’t just about a place to sleep, but about immersive, comfortable, and memorable experiences just like the ones I had growing up, where every guest felt like family. I started with my own beach home, curating every detail to make sure guests had everything they needed, from a well-stocked kitchen to beach essentials and even little touches like a s’mores kit by the fire pit.
When I saw how much of a difference these thoughtful details made not just in reviews, but in the joy guests experienced I knew I had found my calling. That’s how Papi Hospitality was born: a short-term rental management company built on the foundation of genuine hospitality, travel-inspired experiences, and a dedication to making every guest feel at home.
Now, as an Airbnb SuperHost and VRBO Premier Host, I bring the same level of care to every property I manage. Whether it’s a beachfront escape or a city retreat, my goal is always the same: to create exceptional stays that feel effortless for guests and profitable for property owners.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. The early phase was a constant cycle of learning, adjusting, and fixing mistakes in real time. I had to learn how to actually run a business from scratch, not just the technical side of short-term rentals, but systems, pricing, guest experience, compliance, and cash flow. At the beginning, I wore every hat in the business, from acquisitions and client outreach to cleaning coordination, guest messaging, and problem-solving at all hours.
Hiring was another challenge. I went through a few employees before understanding what roles I truly needed and how to lead people effectively. Each misstep was expensive in time and energy, but it forced me to build clearer processes and expectations. Landing my first client was a major win and a confidence boost, but it also exposed a new problem: operations. Once the business started moving, I got bogged down in day-to-day execution, which made it hard to step back and think strategically.
The ups have been real milestones: closing that first client, seeing properties perform well, and proving the model works. The downs have been the growing pains that come with building something from the ground up. Overall, the struggles pushed me to mature as an operator and a business owner, not just someone running listings, but someone building a real company.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Papi Hospitality is a full-service short-term rental management company specializing in maximizing owner revenue while delivering consistently five-star guest experiences. We manage every aspect of the operation, from listing optimization and dynamic pricing to guest communication, vendor coordination, and quality control. Our focus is simple: strong financial performance for owners and memorable, well-cared-for stays for guests.
What sets us apart is the combination of professional systems and a deeply personal approach. We optimize listings with professional photography, compelling descriptions, and platform-specific SEO. We use dynamic revenue management strategies driven by real-time market data to increase occupancy and nightly rates. On the guest side, we provide 24/7 communication, thorough guest vetting, and hands-on support from booking through checkout.
We are known for attention to detail and guest-centric design. Thoughtful amenities like fully stocked kitchens, coffee bars, beach essentials, and personalized touches consistently drive positive reviews and repeat bookings. That guest focus has led to tangible results, including a 72% year-over-year revenue increase on our own managed property and recognition as an Airbnb Superhost and VRBO Premier Host.
Local expertise is a major differentiator. Based in Miami, we have a firsthand understanding of South Florida’s neighborhoods, seasonal demand, major events, and regulatory environment. This allows us to position properties strategically, stay compliant with local ordinances, and respond quickly to operational or community issues. Our relationships with local vendors and neighbors ensure properties are maintained at a high standard and operate harmoniously within their communities.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of building a hospitality-driven company rooted in professionalism, authenticity, and preparedness. Beyond business, we are committed to community impact, including partnering with Airbnb.org to host families displaced by natural disasters and maintaining strong relationships with local communities. Papi Hospitality is not just about managing properties. It is about being a reliable partner, delivering real results, and creating standout guest experiences at scale.
Any big plans?
Our focus moving forward is intentional growth, not rapid expansion for its own sake. We plan to stay concentrated in South Florida so we can maintain the level of quality, compliance, and hands-on oversight that defines our brand. Scaling only makes sense if the guest experience and owner results improve, not decline.
In addition to managing properties, we are expanding our service offerings to support other short-term rental hosts and property managers with their back-end operations. This includes helping with systems, processes, pricing strategy, guest communication workflows, and operational structure. We have learned these lessons the hard way, and there is real value in helping others avoid the same inefficiencies.
We are also increasing our focus on hands-on quality control. That means more frequent property checks, tighter vendor oversight, and ensuring every home consistently meets five-star standards. As the portfolio grows, we plan to expand our internal team to provide true around-the-clock support without sacrificing responsiveness or accountability.
Long term, the goal is to build a durable hospitality company that operates smoothly at scale while still feeling personal. We are building the infrastructure now so growth is sustainable, service remains exceptional, and both owners and guests continue to feel genuinely supported.
Pricing:
- 20% Management Fee of Nightly Revenue
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.papihospitality.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salvatore_papi_ross/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563580328504
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/papi-hospitality/?viewAsMember=true
