Hotel Owner February 2019 | Page 27

FEATURE How have the guests responded to the new mobile check in? It is very personalised - the whole idea behind it is getting rid of that traditional way of interacting with guests. There is a large gap between the guest and the reception and through the redesign we can now welcome the guests personally. The new design has helped with that as if we aren’t too busy we can even sit with guests in the lounge and talk with them while they wait. Is there anything you prefer from the old design? Nothing at all. It’s all fantastic, I didn’t prefer anything from the old design. It really does look great now. What is your favourite aspect of the How has the restaurant been the hotel was being refurbishment know project? improved? that they can come back to a brand new I like everything to be honest. Getting the The restaurant has especially been hotel. Although we are already seeing great rooms to this standard has been a great improved as a result of the refurbishment, results with up to 90% bookings for the achievement. It has given me a greater and the evidence of that has been shown months ahead. motivation to work. last three months. People are going to bar Did you have any input in the design of Are there any plans for future more and the breakfast section has been the hotel? refurbishment work? repositioned to make it easier for guests to Honestly no, because that was entirely I think that really is it for us now, as I am not navigate the area. handled by the external contractor which aware of any future plans. I think everything was hired by the owner of the hotel. that needed to be done has been done. in our revenue really improving over the How has it been for the guests? It has dramatically changed the atmosphere for the guests and you can see the full effects of the refurbishment in our Tripadvisor reviews, as well as our guest service scores having also improved considerably. The staff are enjoying working in the hotel even more now, which has changed the perception of the hotel entirely. My challenge is continuing to ensure that level of quality and to keep aiming higher. The guests are really happy with the new rooms, and I had a lot of people come up to me and say how much they like the beds and the new look of the hotel. Everyday we get positive feedback. Whereas before it was quite negative feedback with a little bit of positivity, now we get just good feedback from our guests. The only thing is to make sure that any of the guest we couldn’t serve while February 2019 www.hotelowner.co.uk 27