Anita Olewińska, Housekeeping Manager at BELMONTE Krynica-Zdrój, shares her insights on pet-friendly hotel, ensuring that both human and four-legged guests feel at home.
Where did the introduction of exceptional pet amenities at Belmonte Hotel come from?
From the very beginning of the hotel’s opening, we knew that our hotel would be pet-friendly, and the idea of pet beds, toys, bowls, mats under bowls, and door hangers would be a natural part of the room equipment for guests arriving with their pets. Recently, we established a partnership with Dolina Noteci, and since Christmas, dogs and cats have received a letter and delicious food.
What are the most common reactions from guests who arrive with their pets?
The feedback has been very positive. Guests often emphasize that there are few places where they can stay with their pets. They are also pleasantly surprised by the available amenities in the rooms, especially the toys.
Has the hotel seen increased interest from pet owners after introducing these amenities?
We have been offering amenities for guests with pets since the beginning of our hotel’s operation, over 2.5 years. Because of this, we have always welcomed many guests traveling with their pets. However, during holiday periods and times of high occupancy, the demand for our services is even greater than usual.
The record-breaking period was last Christmas when we hosted about 50 pets.
What challenges come with organizing a stay for guests with pets?
Our hotel has one floor dedicated to guests traveling with pets, which sometimes results in more activity on this level. It is important to note that not all guests on this floor stay with pets. Therefore, it is crucial that after each stay, these rooms are thoroughly cleaned and ozonated to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and fungi and remove unwanted odors.
Organizing room service during a pet’s stay is also important. Each room has a „Pet in Room” hanger that guests hang on the outside door handle when their pet is inside. Most often, our guests notify the reception when they need room service, usually when they take their pet for a walk. This gives us a specific time frame to clean the room.
It is important to note that if the hanger is on the door, the housekeeping staff does not enter the room for safety reasons and to avoid unnecessary stress for the pet.
Do you plan to expand your offerings for four-legged guests in the future?
We closely observe current trends in the hospitality market and what amenities our competitors offer. Therefore, it is possible that in the future, our offer will be expanded to include, for example, walks with a caretaker.