Q1: Next month, you will celebrate two years since joining the DoubleTree by Hilton. You came right after the pandemic. What were your goals at that time, and what has changed since?
First, we had to hire some new staff, boost sales and change the concept of one of our hotel restaurants from Italian bistro Toscana to international fine dining Cloud Restaurant. The next step was to inform all our guests about the hotel services, such as the wellness area, rooms and the conference floor.
Q2: What differentiates your hotel from other hotels in Bratislava, and why would you recommend it to business guests and event organisers? What do they appreciate when staying at your hotel?
We have the largest conference room for 600 participants, and all our meeting spaces have high ceilings and daylight. A great advantage is also the outdoor terrace.
Q3: What are the novelties of your hotel in 2024?
Beginning in 2024, we presented three new meeting spaces. In the last half of the year, we opened another two meeting rooms, each suitable for 200 participants. We will be able to serve events for up to 1,500 guests. We also plan to give our rooms a new touch. Hopefully, the first rooms in the revamped style will come at the beginning of 2025.
Q4: What is your definition of true hospitality?
True hospitality ensures that the guests feel comfortable and experience superb service from well-trained staff, who can anticipate the guests’ needs and adapt their approach.
Q5: What skills should a 21st-century hotelier possess?
I would say, in general, that all hospitality employees are well known for excellent crisis management, as they have to be ready 24/7. Empathy, creativity, quick thinking and good leadership are a must nowadays. Knowing a bit of psychology helps in all fields of business.
“We work on different projects focusing on ecological solutions. Our focus is particularly on electricity and gas savings and waste management.”
Q6: We cannot avoid discussing the sustainable transformation of our industry. What must we do to create a world where people can live decently within planetary boundaries?
Luckily, we can participate in the Travel with Purpose activities we have in the Hilton family. We work on different projects focusing on ecological solutions. Our focus is particularly on electricity and gas savings and waste management. These days, we put solar foils on the windows to decrease the necessity of air conditioning.
Q7: Which locations would you suggest to guests visiting Bratislava for the premier time?
Depending on the country the guests come from. But I think, as Bratislava is less crowded than other capitals around us, walking in the pedestrian zone, where you pass by many museums, galleries, historical buildings or strolling along the Danube River, and visiting the castle and St. Martins Cathedral are a must. But my favourite street is Kapitulska – with a special magic flair.
Q8: What is your favourite spot in your hotel where you invite your business partners?
There are huge armchairs in our Cloud Restaurant where you can hide while preparing for dinner. But if I were a guest, I would swim in our pool and enjoy a Thai massage. Next to the building, we have a 2,4 ha lush green space with many trees, also great to enjoy.
Find out more about Doubletree by Hilton Bratislava here.
