Slobodna Dalmacija writes that in another uncertain pandemic year, the COVID-hit industry is adjusting to supply, price, and, above all, health security, which is the focus of every trip. Hotel houses are trying to tempt guests to stay as long as possible with various offers.
“Royal Hotels & Resort” opened its doors to domestic guests in the spring, who came last year in the peak season.
“Considering the situation, we are more flexible with the prices that have already been adjusted, and for our guests coming from Ploče, Split, Varaždin, or Osijek, for a four-night stay, we offer a deduction of toll costs between Zagreb – Dubrovnik. More precisely, we will take off 520 kuna from the total price,” says the marketing director of that hotel group, Petar Krvarić.
If the guest stays for two nights, the deduction is 260 kuna. An invoice is not required for this offer and is valid from 1 May to 30 June. It is also possible to pay in installments for guests staying for one or ten nights, in April or August. This offer is offered to those that bank with Zagrebačka banka and Privredna banka Zagreb, and can pay installments for certain types of cards.
“In April and May, depending on availability, we offer a free upgrade from a four-star hotel to a five-star hotel just for domestic guests in the preseason. The response is already quite good,” says Krvarić. This means that a guest who has booked and paid for a double room can upgrade to an apartment. Reservations are also flexible, so the guest can cancel for free three days before their arrival in the spring or change the reservation date.
For guests booking directly, free parking is provided. There is a strong emphasis on guest safety, so they are talking to “multiple clinic partners to enable both tests, antigen and PCR tests” during the season.
“Guests from the US will need a PCR test; we need to have that too. We have not fully defined the model, but we are working to provide this to guests, either in the form of a better price or as an addition in added value,” says Krvarić. He also notes that “Royal Hotels & Resort” has completed the construction of about a hundred new accommodation units ready by summer.
“Hotel Lero invests a lot in the safety and health of guests and staff. All our guests have the possibility of antigen testing inside the facility,” says the sales director of the hotel “Lero” Ivan Galov. An antigen test is possible every day within the facility for two hours a day, and you can also come by invitation. The private institution charges guests 150 kuna for testing.
“For foreign guests, we have a special offer to refund the price of the antigen test that is necessary to enter Croatia. In the pre-season, we went with it for the BiH market, and we will see which other countries to cover,” says Galov and adds:
“In the pre-season, we especially offer domestic guests subsidies for the cost of the highway, for a stay of three nights in one direction and both directions for a stay of five or more. We also have an additional package of a free transfer from the airport for guests. Prices for this year are balanced between 2019 and 2020,” says Galov, and “flexibility in booking ranges from 20 days for groups to 1 day for individual guests.”
“All hotels of the Adriatic Luxury Hotels Group are holders of the Safety certificate – a program for risk prevention and health protection to ensure that all appropriate health, safety, and hygiene conditions are established, and the level of safety of employees, guests, and business conditions is provided,” says Zrinka Marinović, spokeswoman for Adriatic Luxury Hotels and adds:
“Adriatic Luxury Hotels, in cooperation with relevant institutions, have the opportunity to test their guests who request such a service, and we recently had experience with corporate groups for which we organized antigen testing. We plan to offer such practice to our clients even further, i.e., while there is interest in such a service.”
There are currently two hotels from the ALH group, “Excelsior” and “Palace.”
Sales Director of “Rixos Premium Dubrovnik” Sandra Urlić emphasizes that after the renovation, they are positioned as a luxury brand. Despite the uncertain season, they will not lower the prices of hotel accommodation.
“We target high-paying guests. This year, we are focused on the EU, Russia, Israel, and all other destinations that will have a direct flight with Dubrovnik. During the winter, we paid great attention to internal staff education and professional training, as well as protocols and the national safety label “Safe Stay in Croatia,” says Urlić.
Valamar Riviera responds that all Valamar facilities have implemented the “V Health & Safety” program, which is in line with safety standards in Croatia and the recommendations of international health organizations.
“All Valamar facilities have a V Health & Safety Manager who is available to guests throughout their stay, and we have created a V Care guarantee – a new package of health care measures,” explained Valamar and added that this package is valid for all reservations made directly through Valamar.
From the very beginning of the pandemic, “Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik” offers the possibility of testing at the request of the guest, and a room is provided for that in the hotel, points out marketing clerk Mia Miloslavić, and emphasizes that and the package that can be reserved can be.
As for the benefits, guests can choose between different packages and choose the one that will give them the best value for money.
“There are options that include dinner, additional Hilton points for members, discounts for longer stays, and the like. Included in the price of the room is parking in our garage, swimming pool, and gym. A major change is the cancellation period which has been reduced from 7 and 14 days to 24 hours to make it easier for guests to plan a trip without additional stress.
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