Moscow Tour vs Peter Tourist

There is hardly anyone who has ever visited the two Russian capitals and has not taken into account the differences between Moscow and St. Petersburg. And the very first difference you see between cities, oddly enough, is not in people's minds or in the very appearance of the city. The hotels in Moscow and St. Petersburg are a stark contrast for visitors. If hotels in the capital are more likely to suffer from "gigantism", then in St. Petersburg, hotels give an impression almost "miniature" - everything is very comfortable, but somehow without reach. For authoritative comments on this issue, we turned to Vladimir Valerievich Kotov , a professional hotel manager who runs the Bitsa Park Hotel , is famous for its innovative and non-standard approach. For the conversation, we were invited to the " Bitsevsky Home ", a cozy restaurant, which surprisingly corresponds to the general " Bittsy " style. Seductive aromas reign there, an atmosphere of relaxation and comfort, conducive to a pleasant conversation rather than a tense professional conversation. Corresponding: - Vladimir Valerievich , thank you for your time. An unexpected reception - your restaurant matches the hotel itself, very relaxing atmosphere. Vladimir Kotov : - And how could it be otherwise? The restaurant is often the second face of a hotel and, for us and our guests, it is an integral part of Bitza , reflecting the overall spirit of our complex. " Bitsevsky Home " - it's not just "a place where you can eat." We organize meals and entertainment for athletes, delegations to competitions, fans. You can say - keep the mark. After all, the park hotel is not just a place in the forest parks area of ​​Moscow, not just clean air. It is necessary to ensure the good reception of your guests. Therefore, we try to meet expectations, even in the most subtle nuances. Corr .: - And it shows - they already speak of your hotel as something unique for Moscow. What is the key difference? VK: - The Moscow hotel complexes, mainly designed for businessmen, the so-called "trip", and we have a different approach. First of all, our park hotel is reserved for Muscovites. It is an opportunity to relax in the open air, to enjoy his free time, but at the same time, do not rustle half of the weekend in clogged traffic jams. This is unusual, but the main thing is what is claimed and what was not in Moscow before us. Corr .: - It turns out that large resorts are more developed in the capital? VK: - Well, the term "developed" is a vague concept. Suffice it to say that at some point the situation was such that the demand for such complexes has increased considerably and the demand, as we know, creates an offer. In every capital reigns a vigorous activity, a constant haste, a continuous circulation. It can not be otherwise, but it is precisely this way of life that creates the need for hotel groups like Izmailovo . In Moscow, the mentality of gratitude is almost always created, at least for having managed to obtain a room. The creation of any comfort or individual conditions for guests is no longer a question. It's almost a matter of "flow". Corr .: - But, for example, in the same Petersburg , everything is different. Why VK: - Peter is a tourist town. And the priorities of hotels to attract the comfort of life of those who come to relax, admire the monuments of history and culture. There are more hostels where guests rent comfortable rooms. As a "service" - a bar, a small restaurant with homemade food. In fact, it is not a "hotel" that is created, but a sort of almost warm atmosphere. And the service aims to create comfort for the guests. Or, for example, mini-hotels near historic sites are true oases of culture, history and tranquility. They are often decorated in the spirit of the monument where they are. Corr .: - But a lot of tourists also come to Moscow. Why are these ideas not rooted? VK: - Any idea does not take root when it is not necessary. Moscow - even historic - remains above all a megalopolis of the business world. It is mainly businessmen who come here who are not able to cook and build their homes. Even if they will rest, so rest at the appropriate level - lunch at the restaurant, party in the entertainment area. The capital is all the same. And hotels themselves are expected to completely different conditions. Corr .: - A mini-hotel? Are there few historical places in Moscow? VK: - In the capital, there is always a cruel lack of space and the fight for a territory for offices, companies ... It turns out that there are practically no known places to build a hotel. Yes, and relax in the middle of an "active life", very few people like it. Imagine the awakening of cars, the hubbub of people talking under the windows. In this hotel, everything will not stop. It is practically impossible to build a vast territory in order to "protect" customers from "Moscow business", so to speak. And it will look pretty strange - a small museum, almost hidden in the shadows of the hotel. No, it's absolutely impossible. Corr .: - Even near great monuments? VK: - Next to great monuments, a mini-hotel will simply not be profitable. After all, the Kremlin or the Tretyakov Gallery is not a hundred, and not two hundred tourists come. In addition, the effect of the cost of land. A mini-hotel near the same Pushkin museum has almost no chance of paying. Due to the construction costs, you will have to set considerable prices for the rooms and customers will of course expect appropriate conditions for this money. And the creation of such conditions is a new expense and a further increase in the cost per room. This is a kind of vicious circle, when tourists still have to pay a price that does not match the level of the hotel. And who needs it and why? Live right next to the famous monument? It is easier to rent a room in a big hotel and to make excursions for your pleasure. In addition, I remind you, in Moscow, one way or another, Visits are much less frequent than business trips. And the businessmen are completely up to the monument they have near the hotel. Corr .: - That is to say that the hotel industry in the cities is completely different? VK: - Exactly! Because people come different. However, hotels around the world are different. For example, in London, there are more hotels on the outskirts - they work exclusively in the city itself, but hardly anyone lives, especially foreigners. And the hotels themselves are seasoned, strict, with real English flavor. In Paris, customers prefer instead to live in the city and closer to the center. In addition, tourists and businessmen. Because, on the one hand, all historical monuments and the famous French cuisine "at your fingertips". Once again, the supply of demand. The success of a hotel depends largely on how the conditions of the hotel meet the expectations and needs of visitors. And, of course, everything rests first on the hotel, on the main line, which he will put in the foundations of the hotel. Corr .: - And you can miss? VK: - In any case, you can miss, but this is the main quality, without which a good hotelier can not take place. You must be able to combine a commercial approach with a creative impulse. You can have a great idea that will not work simply because there is no demand for it in this particular place. And in another city, it could cause a real "boom". That is why it is not uncommon for us that restaurateurs and hoteliers are invited even from abroad. Not because we are not able to do it, but simply because a person has emerged as an idea that will be popular, for example in Moscow or St. Petersburg. For every hotelier, it is important to find "your" city. Corr .: - Apparently, did you find it? VK: - This is the peculiarity of our complex. We have proposed what is missing in Moscow and what is simply not there. We can say that they occupied their own niche. While all hotel activities in the capital are outward-looking, designed for visitors, Bitsa offers the services needed by Muscovites themselves. Now, there is almost a massive leak of constant noise, smog. On weekends, people try to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city as much as possible. And not only to "stay in the room", but to really relax. And we have all the conditions for that on the territory: the hotel, the sauna, billiards and even the equestrian center. Total and not counted. In addition, in an ecologically clean area of ​​a forest park. Corr .: - That is to say that you have created and embodied the idea that is in demand in Moscow today? VK: - of course. For the same Petersburg , a completely different approach would be necessary. Corr .: - Vladimir Valerievich , thank you for this fascinating interview and for your time. VK: - and thank you Always happy to share my experience, if, of course, time allows it. Indeed, in our sector, the more successful the idea is, the more it must be given special attention. But if such a need exists, please contact.