Inverness hotel has revamped to make customers feel safe
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IT is not particularly easy to stay cool in a face mask. Neither is it particularly relaxing.
One of the Penta Hotel’s great strengths amid the challenges of the pandemic has been the ability to offer a comforting streak of normality.
At a time when hanging out for lengths of time in premises, particularly those less conducive to social distancing, is no longer quite as attractive, the Academy Street hotel’s downstairs front layout has proven easily adaptable.
The strictest measures are in place for guests’ safety, but there is a relaxed atmosphere within the characterful bar lounge areas that might just spark a pleasant nostalgia for pre-Covid-19 days.
As general manager Zsolt Jakri explains, much emphasis has been placed on the customer experience.
He said: “Our lounge concept, after some tweaks, lends itself very well to a safe but still trendy visit and we added some extra twists to important procedures to tackle the pandemic.”
These include a revamp of the seating layout, removing spaces for large groups and creating intimate spaces for couples and groups of four in a bar frequented by non-residents.
The popular pool table was retained, with pool cues and equipment cleaned after every game. The welcoming check-in at the bar concept was also kept, albeit with perspex screens. The dining experience – with two rather than one metre distancing – has been enhanced given that guests often prefer not to venture out on the first night of arrival.
The Inverness Penta, opened by the boy band Blue in 2014, is one of the chain’s 27 UK hotels but the brand’s only outlet in Scotland.
Since reopening in July, a surge of staycationers – including one couple who chose it over Cancun – have flocked to take advantage of competitive rates.
The hotel is also pet-friendly, which has proven particularly popular with those heading to the Highlands on walking holidays, while the fitness room has reopened.
The ‘naked’ rooms – stripped back to clean surfaces devoid of touch points like decorative cushions – offer extra reassurance and are not entered by staff unless on request.
“We closed at the end of March, then reopened for key workers from the start of June,” Mr Jakri said.
“We took advantage of the job retention scheme and have been in the position to keep all our staff, with no redundancies made. Our team has been brilliant.
“Inverness quickly established itself as a safe destination for domestic tourism.
“We have worked hard to show that we have everything in place to offer an enjoyable and safe stay and the response from our customers has been brilliant.
“We are behind last year obviously, but way ahead of expectations through domestic UK leisure and business visits.”
As for the future, he added: “We enjoyed a relatively strong August and September, but will have to wait and see what October and the winter months bring.
“However, our business model is really robust – and we can always offer a fantastic experience.”
