"The Baule" is a stylish, story-filled guest room inspired by our family’s migration journey. Stay in our nearly century-old Toronto home with a blooming garden, an Italian heart, and a guest-favourite touch. At its heart is a treasured family chest, telling a story of dreams and belonging. A cozy retreat for professionals, artists, visiting family, or romantic getaways. Perfect for one or two guests. Why gamble during the World Cup 2026 rush? You’re booking peace of mind in a prime location.
The space
Our nearly 100-year-old home carries Toronto’s history while blending Italian family heritage into every detail. Located near downtown in a prestigious Midtown Toronto neighbourhood, with a blooming garden for quiet moments between city adventures.
The TTC bus is just a 5-minute walk, which takes you to the Eglinton subway station within 12 minutes (2.5 km/30-minute walk). You can easily explore the city using the subway line or drive 15 minutes to downtown (depending on the time of driving)
Easy walking distance to restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops. And Shoppers Drug Mart is within a 10-minute walk.
Please note, this is an owner-occupied property. We’re a fully licensed short-term rental with the City of Toronto, STR-2407-FQVBPQ, registered to Rocco Maragna.
We live here. My wife, Nancy, takes care of our house and our guests.
The guest room, approximately 485 sq. ft., is on the lower level. There is no lock on the room's door.
Furnished with personal stories and curated design elements that make every corner meaningful, our guest room features a queen-sized bed with a new mattress, a closet, and a private bathroom with a large shower. All bed linen, pillows, and towels are provided.
Playful colours meet modern comfort: a geometric rug, curated chairs, and a bright Italian-inspired kitchen create a cozy design retreat.
Once the heart of Antonia’s home, a cozy “work and brew” corner still carries the warmth of her kitchen, where countless meals and conversations were shared. Today, it has been reimagined as a space for light snacks, tea, and coffee rather than cooking.
You’ll find thoughtful touches such as a small fridge beneath Venetian masks, an electric kettle, a toaster, a dishwasher, and a Famiworths coffee maker with a reusable ground basket.
Bathed in gentle light, a small Italian-style ‘work & coffee’ corner invites you to enjoy a quiet coffee or catch up on notes.
This corner is designed for light use—perfect for preparing tea, coffee, or simple snacks. Please note there’s no stove, oven, or microwave, so cooking full meals isn’t possible, and our family kitchen is private. That said, we love sharing breakfast with our guests and sometimes invite them to join us for lunch or dinner.
It’s the perfect little nook to start your day slowly, just as Antonia might have, savouring simple pleasures in the comfort of home.
Filled with colour and personality, the sitting area features a smart TV and complimentary Wi-Fi.
It is a joyful mix of memory and comfort. At its heart sits the Baule—the deep blue chest that once carried Sabatino’s belongings across the ocean in the early ’60s, now a quiet keeper of stories.
Two vintage red armless chairs add a playful pop of colour, while Rocco’s old-school desk, repurposed for a lamp table, glows softly in the evening light. A geometric grey rug grounds the space.
At Il Baule, I love to welcome respectful guests who value comfort, authenticity, and the story behind this home. You’re not just booking a stay… You’re booking peace of mind.
Whether you’re a professional, artist, or academic seeking a peaceful base in Toronto, visiting relatives nearby, or planning a romantic getaway, the Baule offers the perfect blend of comfort and character.
Ideal for a couple or solo traveller, it’s a cozy retreat where history, culture, and modern convenience meet—a place to slow down, feel at home, and explore the city at your own pace.
Please note that my home is not suitable for parties, commercial activities, or short-term encounters—it is a place for real hospitality and meaningful experiences.
Only a handful of homes in Toronto carry Airbnb’s Guest Favourite badge—mine does.
Guest access
Nancy will greet you at the main entrance or the side entrance. You will go down 8 risers to the room.
Our guests have access to the entire guest room on the lower level. You're welcome to enjoy our garden, which features more than 30 trees, real grass, lavender, and flowers that provide a spectacular display of colours in the fall. Meanwhile, the spring and summer months, the backyard is filled with a multitude of fragrances. Desiring some peace, you can sit under the wisteria and read a book, while many birds will try to distract you with their songs and dance around the bird feeders.
During your stay
Nancy and I will be available during your stay to help or answer any questions you may have.
We value providing our guests with the freedom to choose the level of interaction they prefer. We strive to ensure that our guests feel at ease and welcome in our home.
In the mornings, you can join us for an Italian breakfast with homemade sweets and an espresso or cappuccino, or opt for a more independent start to your day.
If you're planning a trip to Italy, we'd be thrilled to share our travel insights with you.
Furthermore, if you're interested, there is an opportunity to experience a hands-on Italian cooking session (at an additional cost). Join me in cooking and being transported to Italy! We'll enjoy a meal together paired with a glass of wine. Feel free to let me know when you're interested.
Other things to note
We love welcoming guests who treat my home with the same care and respect they would their own.
For everyone’s comfort, safety, and compliance with Airbnb policy, I accept bookings only from guests who have positive reviews from previous hosts; have a complete profile with a clear photo and short bio; have verified their ID with Airbnb; are making the booking themselves (no third-party reservations); and are happy to answer a few friendly questions before booking.
These steps help ensure we’re a great match and make your stay as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Please note that my home is not suitable for parties, commercial activities, or short-term encounters—it is a place for real hospitality and meaningful experiences.
If you need a drop-off or an early check-in, just let us know. We will likely be able to make it work.
When entering the house, kindly remove your shoes and set them on the shoe rack at the door.
Visitors are not allowed.
In the mornings, you can join us for an Italian breakfast with homemade sweets and an espresso or cappuccino.
Or opt for a more independent start to your day.
Please note: the room’s height is 2.03 Metres high (6ft., 8 in.), whereas the headroom where the kitchen corner opens into the sleeping/living/dining area is 1.82 Metres (6ft., 0 in.). Guests taller than 1.80 m will be able to cross the threshold with a minimum of bending of their bodies.
We have no CABLE in our house.
Il Baule is more than a stay—it’s our home, lovingly shared with guests from around the world. And yes, we’re a fully licensed Toronto short-term rental (STR-2407-FQVBPQ), registered to Rocco Maragna, so you can feel at ease knowing everything is by the book.
Registration details
STR-2407-FQVBPQ
