Who are the tourists who pay 2000 euros for a night's accommodation in Mamaia?

" There are those who pay the same price for this type of apartment anywhere in the world. Whether they are Romanian or foreign, they have a lot of money and the price is not the most important thing. They have a private plane, they have VIP access and they are driven around in a limousine, so the same conditions everywhere in the world"

In October, when most tourists think that seaside hotel managers are counting the money they earned during the season, I met Răzvan Dobre at work, at the newest hotel in Mamaia located in the club area in the north of the Mamaia resort.

He is preparing offers for the next season, selling rooms for summer 2019 and thinking about how he could attract even more customers. Răzvan is one of the most sought-after managers on the seaside , being the "brain" of hotels such as Vega, Splendid, Savoy.

" Due to the constructions that have appeared on the coast in recent years, the "let it be as it is" model is dying"

Răzvan, you are one of the few managers on the coast who dare to make correct analyses of hotel owners, but also of tourists who choose the Black Sea . Let's go to the first category, that of hotel owners, especially since only in the last three years have we seen real investments and fewer owners who run their business according to the "let it go" model.

Who are the owners of seaside hotels and how much do they know about this economic sector?

You started with the hardest question :). I would challenge you on what has been going on for the past 3 years. It's very hard to keep up with the seaside hotel owners these days. I say this because, as you can clearly see, the pace of construction in Mamaia and the north of the Mamaia resort is extraordinarily fast. It's like everyone lost the start and now they want to catch up. Hotels, aparthotels and guesthouses are popping up with a speed that scares me. I mean compliance with all building regulations, etc. Hence my reticence about today's patrons. However, I would divide them into several categories:

• first of all, because they are the most important in my opinion, they are the ones who make investments taking into account a business plan, a budget and a reasonable return of investment, not next summer if possible. I would put here those who have made and are making big investments such as for example the Phenicia group, the Opera hotel, the Ramada hotel, of course and Nyota (of course I left out many but these were just examples). This is also where the owners who renovated the old hotels and who realized that all the new constructions will benefit if they don't also improve their accommodation conditions. Unfortunately, in old buildings it is more difficult with the spaces.
• in the second category I would put those who discovered overnight that they know how to do tourism, had money to invest in a plot of land in Mamaia Nord and quickly built a guesthouse or smaller hotelas with which I think they have given the blow. No plans, no market research, not even competent people to guide or help them. They are from the category of those who believe that tourists will come to Mamaia anyway and then it will be full. I am amused and sad at the same time because I know that in a year or two those guesthouses/hotels will be for sale.
• there would also be real estate developers who take a bite out of Mamaia vacationers. If those in the second category build a hotel, there are many who buy apartments from real estate developers, thinking that they are also getting a kick out of renting them out over the summer. Likewise, without tourism knowledge, without accreditation at the Ministry of Tourism, without services, without, without…

As a conclusion, certainly, thanks to the constructions that have appeared in recent years, the "let it go as it is" model is dying. I repeat, unfortunately, we will see a lot of spaces (guesthouses, small hotels, apartments) for sale/rent in the coming years that will be empty. This is like a bet! Or prices of 30, 40, 50 euros in the middle of summer for very good accommodation conditions, prices you couldn't talk about even in winter a few years ago. The nasty part is that it will cascade down the entire hotel market to lower rates. I don't know if this is necessarily good for some businesses.

You run one of the most luxurious hotels on the coast and the first to have a multi-storey car park built especially for those who choose to spend their holidays with you. Why a parking lot and not another hotel building?

For the reasons described above. In this agglomeration of constructions, almost no one thinks about the customer, but only about their own pocket. To make as many spaces as possible and sell/rent them to make money. The parking is a great advantage for the hotel, but especially the parking provided for each room, as is our case. The decision to make a parking lot was made precisely because of a longer-term vision and to offer customers a service that is rarely found in this area. Service that really makes a difference and perhaps justifies the accommodation fee in a way. I won't tell you how good it is to get into the car that has been in the shade, protected from dust or rain.

“Who are the tourists who pay 2000 euros for a night of accommodation ? They are the ones who pay the same price for this type of apartment anywhere in the world. Whether they are Romanian or foreign, they have a lot of money and the price is not the most important thing”

This year, we visited together the most expensive apartment in your hotel. If I remember correctly, it was rented for 2000 euros per night, during the period of May 1. Who are these tourists who pay exorbitant amounts?

Well it's very simple. There are those who pay the same price for this type of apartment anywhere in the world. Whether they are Romanians or foreigners, they have a lot of money and the price is not the most important. They usually come for clubs by private plane, have VIP access and are driven around in a limo, so the same conditions everywhere in the world. They are used to paying maybe even more for a similar apartment in other entertainment areas like Ibiza, but they also come here because Mamaia is already very well known for its clubbing area.

Virtual tour of the 2000 euro/night apartment

Let's stay with the tourists. The hotel you run is in the most sought-after area of ​​Mamaia, close to the clubs. Who are the tourists staying at your place?

Considering that we have passed the first season of operation I can say that we have 3 types of customers. These are actually our target markets for which we make our marketing strategy.

We clearly have those who come for fun and clubbing. We are only at km 0 of the entertainment in Mamaia. It is a very important segment because they also pay the highest rates, but they are also the most demanding. But we met them with some personalized service that set us apart from our competition. In general, the average age is quite low, somewhere between 20 and 40 years old, with high and very high incomes (theirs or their parents' :))

The second segment are families on vacation who find with us the relaxation that many do not suspect exists in Mamaia Nord. Yes, there are many people who avoid coming on vacation because there is "noisy" from the clubs. Yes, but the clubs are only open on Saturdays when it's more noisy from 16:00 to 23:00. The rest of the week is completely quiet. This is really a point that we want to promote and show as much as possible: the fact that in the club area it is quiet during the week and it is actually much better than in the crowded area in the center of Mamaia for example. Especially since we offer them, in addition to the heated outdoor pool for adults and children, and sunbeds and umbrellas at the beach.

The third segment is the corporate groups that come for conference and team building in May, June and September. Having an entire floor dedicated to conferences with 3 very modern rooms plus a terrace overlooking the sunset on Siutghiol, we hope to become one of the most sought-after locations for such events, especially because together with the restaurant team we have a package of services that I don't really find on our coast (my colleagues from other hotels who also have good conference centers are probably swearing at me, but I'm not talking about them).

I would also specify that the order in which we presented them is random because each of these segments has an important weight in our business plan and budget. We always try to keep a (very fragile) balance when combining them so that we reach the best result in terms of average fare and occupancy.

"A client requested a separate entrance, bodyguards and VIP table at all the clubs in Mamaia. the same evening"

What are the most demanding requests you have received?

Because it's only been one summer, I don't have many, I would like to mention here a client who requested separate entrance, bodyguards and a VIP table at all the clubs in Mamaia. On the same evening. Of course we managed, we have contact with all the clubs in the area and we can organize or book services with them at any time.

I read on your blog that you've had some not-so-pleasant situations with tourists who have crossed your threshold. Do Romanian tourists miss their seven years at home?

I do not know what to say. Rather, some of them forget them at home and behave nastier with the staff. But I don't understand those who leave an indescribable mess in the room. My colleagues and I have always wondered if they behave the same way at home. Probably for some this behavior is repulsive, maybe they do on vacation what they can't do at home. Or maybe some are like that 🙂

"Our biggest fear is the ladies who dye themselves before coming on vacation to look good and the color remains on the pillowcase along with other oils and creams"

What things did your tourists leave the hotel with?

They generally take things that we consider consumables anyway: all the cosmetics they use or don't use, the tea bags, coffee, sugar and honey we give them for free, disposable slippers.

There is something else that they do not take, but it damages them. Pillowcases and small towels. Any fellow hotelier can tell you that they are the part of linen that we have to renew every year by approx. 20%. Our biggest fear is the ladies who dye themselves before they come on holiday to look good and the color remains on the pillowcase with other oils and creams.

Why should I choose a more expensive hotel like the one you run and not a cheaper one in the center or south of the Mamaia resort and then use the taxi to the club area. How do you convince me to choose your hotel?

We will soon start the promotion campaign for next season, but we don't want to convince anyone. They must be convinced that they find what they are looking for with us. We just try to prepare and show them that they find the ingredients of a real vacation, things that they expect to find in a 4-star hotel on the seashore and that extra that makes us unique. I would start with the parking, as I told you a strong point in our services, then the proximity to the clubs. I also blogged in a more satirical article like this. If you stay at a hotel in the center of Mamaia and want to get to the clubs, spend more on taxis than on the difference in accommodation between the hotel in the center and us (of course also 4 stars). For those who come to the beach we have an outdoor heated pool from May to September with a children's area and playground nearby, we offer sunbeds on the Loft beach. As you can see we haven't talked much about cameras. I consider that we are at standards above all the 4-star hotels on the coast, excuse the modesty but I know what materials were used starting from the construction, finishes and other elements. I know this because there are many customers who have asked us where we purchased different things or finishes from the hotel because they wanted them in their homes as well. Starting from the mattresses to the armchairs, the sofas and even the marketing materials in the room which are of very good quality.

For years, Mamaia resort was actually the X-ray of the entire coastline. In the north, services and prices can be classified as luxury, as you get closer to the center, prices and quality of services decrease, and the south of Mamaia resort is considered one of those with less money and low expectations. What is the chance of Mamaia resort attracting more and more tourists?

In any case, it is not the constructions that will attract more tourists 🙂

It's not very complicated because we didn't invent tourism. We have to ask ourselves what can attract tourists besides the sea and the sun. And already the answers are starting to appear. Some can be seen: the club area attracts more and more foreigners. Festivals are big draws. Sunwaves, Neversea (good luck with Untold because otherwise they did it on August 1 at the sea when it's full anyway). I want to see the one who has the courage to make a festival in the middle of May that attracts people even if you can't swim in the sea.

Sports competitions attract many tourists. The September triathlon is already one of the most important competitions in Eastern Europe. Lake Siutghiol is dead. I would exploit it from a sporting point of view as much as possible and organize different regattas for lake boats, national kayak competition and windsurfing schools.

Yes, I think that Mamaia's chance is to develop the entertainment and sports area IN ALL MONTHS OF THE SEASON, that is, from May until the middle of October.

"Many do not know where they come from. They are fooled by a few pictures, the area is not very well known or is only now becoming so. After they arrived, no one gives them their money back and they agree to see through the window of the room exactly 2 meters away another window from the neighboring block, they walk through construction sites on streets full of dust and trucks with rubble."

The newly emerged Mamaia Nord resort is actually an area in Năvodari with terrible constructions, built without any urban plan, without paved roads, sewage and water and sewage networks. Why do tourists choose to stay in these conditions?

I'll tell you why. Many do not know where they come from. They are fooled by a few pictures, the area is not very well known or is only now becoming so. After they arrived, no one gives them their money back and they agree to see through the window of the room exactly 2 meters away another window from the neighboring block, they walk through construction sites on streets full of dust and trucks with rubble. I don't think they will come a second time, but maybe next year others will come who think they come to Mamaia with 20, 30 euros and arrive 5 km from the resort in a neighborhood without the slightest sensation of resort. This is the great tragedy. That area cannot be called a resort just because it has a rather unkempt promenade. Here I stay with my bet related to the bankruptcy of many constructions there and the spikes taken by many who buy apartments in the area.