“Despite the cancellations, we want to be positive and courageous”

We interviewed Isabel Mairata, general manager of Mon Hotels, a small hotel chain with three stays in Mallorca: Es Princep, in the old town of Palma, and Mon Port Hotel & Spa and La Pérgola Aparthotel, both in Port d’Andratx.

Isabel Mairata got the Condé Nast Johansens 2020 award as best new hotel for Es Princep. Photo: Mon Hotels.

Adapting to the current situation is not easy. What was the action plan or measures that you have adopted?

The current situation is very complicated. We have to adapt to give a good service with security guarantees. The fact of wearing the mask prevents our smile from being seen and the client from feeling well received. But we have to fight for our product and our people. At Mon Hotels we were aware of the responsibility we had as a service company, for this we have worked hard to be able to reopen our doors.

You have recently obtained a safe tourism certification. What do these ‘covid-free’ certificates mean?

It has taken a lot of work and effort, but we were clear that without security guarantees for our workers and our guests it was impossible to start the activity at a time as complicated as this. The involvement of the team has been spectacular and we have implemented the procedures in record time and with maximum guarantee. This has allowed our guests and our professional team to feel more secure.

What are the differences between the three hotels you manage?

We have three hotels in the Mon Hotels group. Two of them, Mon Port Hotel & Spa and La Pérgola Aparthotel, are located in Port d’Andratx on the slopes of the Serra de Tramuntana. Mon Port is a hotel with a spa, with a more holiday tourism for middle-aged couples and with a new sports brand. La Pérgola is much more family-oriented and open throughout the year. For its part, Es Princep is a 5-star city hotel in Palma with one of the most impressive rooftops in the city.

Es Princep rooftop. Photo: Mon Hotels.

What is the current type of tourist with the current health crisis? Have your preferences or priorities changed?

Families have traveled the least, keeping reservations for middle-aged guests. In terms of preferences and priorities, our clients have always highlighted with their comments how calm they have felt in our facilities.

It seems that the fall in reserves is widespread. How does Mon Hotels deal with it?

With great courage and good will in the face of the few reservations and the many cancellations. We want to be positive and courageous. We were among the first to open. On July 1, the three establishments were open and beginning to operate. We know that it is a year of great losses, we must assume it. Although we are already hoping that next year things will go better and that we can recover some of what was lost.

What are the prospects for the coming months?

Very uncertain, at the moment we have very different plans of action on the table. I believe that society should be very responsible and reduce contact circles.

Are you preparing or developing an idea to stimulate tourism?

We work with marketing campaigns continuously, but it is something that does not depend on us. When there are no fish in the sea it is very difficult to fish.

How is the hotel industry going to survive such an atypical year?

Based on personal resources. We have to endure the storm and wait for it to subside as soon as possible. This situation will put many people in the sector between a rock and a hard place.

What would you say to a tourist who is considering traveling to Mallorca but has doubts?

May you come without fear, we maintain the same quality standards as always, in addition to the extraordinary measures adopted in this situation. May you come and enjoy Mallorca as much as we do. We take care of offering the best possible security.