Ten Thousand Bedrooms

A glamorous hotel mogul who buys properties with cold efficiency. His encounter with Maria reveals a warmer, more romantic side, and his charm begins to soften his transactional stance. He works to balance ambition with personal loyalties as the drama with the Martelli family unfolds.

Works for Countess Alzani and acts as Ray's translator during his Rome visit. She mocks Ray's impersonal business style with frank humor, then helps him navigate the staff introductions. Their evolving connection—culminating in a kiss—pushes Ray toward a more sincere approach to love and work.

The 18-year-old sister who takes a shine to Ray and wants to marry him. She directly asks her father for permission, sparking the competition among the sisters and forcing Ray to consider marriage as a path to belonging. Her pursuit is a key driver of the romantic comic tensions in the story.

The patriarch who enforces traditional family rules, including the order of marriages among his daughters. His decisions propel the plot toward a multi-wedding resolution, and his authority tests Ray's willingness to invest in the family beyond business gains.

A poor Polish count who fancies himself a sculptor. Ray attempts to bolster Anton by buying his artwork, an act that backfires and strains Maria's trust. Anton's circumstances later lead to a practical outcome involving long-term travel to Bombay.

Ray's private pilot who is initially protective of Nina and concerned about Ray's rapid courtship. Mike's loyalty to Nina adds tension when Ray’s engagement plans threaten the relationship, ultimately contributing to the decision to let Mike stay and fight for the woman he loves.

The Countess and guardian of the Regent's staff interests, who reproaches Ray for his impersonal purvey of hotels. She represents the authority that Ray must answer to when balancing business expansion with the wellbeing of those who work for him.

Another Martelli sister present in the family circle. She, like her sisters, participates in the family dynamics that shape Ray's decisions, adding to the ensemble that characters must navigate in Rome.