Interview with C. Ragnit, Manager of Hotel Gude
The Hotel Gude in Kassel belongs to the top establishments in the Documenta city. Since short the in third generation owner-managed hotel is distinguished with the title four star Superior. Also our digital helpers ensured additional points for the classification. Reason enough to meet with Mr. Ragnit, the manager of the four star Superior hotel, and to chat about the classification, the star scandal and digitization.
Hotel Classification
Betterspace:
Mr. Ragnit, thank you for taking your time to share your point of view on the hotel classification with other hoteliers. First of all, we would like to congratulate you on your great success.
Ragnit:
Thank you. I’m happy to.
Betterspace:
Mr. Ragnit, how do you see the classification system? Does it really still have relevance today?
Ragnit:
In fact, the system behind the hotel classification is becoming a bit dated in some points. Printed information folders, which involve a lot of effort and paper consumption, no longer motivate guests. In addition, some aspects are simply problematic on site. If the building substance does not exist, the room size prescribed by the criteria catalogue and some other points can never be reached. The modernization and modification of the catalog were therefore more than appropriate.
New Catalogue of Criteria for the Hotel Classification as of 2020
Betterspace:
Because you already mentioned it: What do you say to the recently published, currently still preliminary new criteria catalog for the classification of hotels?
Ragnit
I think it’s great. The DEHOGA thus follows the spirit of the times and successively discards some quite outdated ways of thinking. Thus, new and modern working tools are moving into the hotel. We all have one ultimate goal: Satisfied and happy guests who are loyal to us and like to visit our hotels. Since the needs of the guests change however strongly, particularly regarding digital aids and assistants, here also the hotels must follow. It’s great that the DEHOGA meets the changed guests needs with the new catalogue.
Betterspace:
What was the classification of your hotel like?
Ragnit:
We have completed the data entry form and submitted an online application. The questionnaire covers the number of clothes hangers in the wardrobe, the multilingualism of the staff, the range of food and services on offer, as well as all equipment features, hardware, cleanliness and quality. This was followed by an initial review of the submitted catalogue. Here, it is checked whether the number of points is sufficient and whether the rough requirements have been met. This was followed by an on-site appointment with an independent inspector. Usually Kassel Marketing also takes part.
Managing Director Anna Homm, Hotel Manager Carsten Ragnit
Reasons for the Hotel Classification
Betterspace:
That sounds quite exciting! Why did you decide to classify your hotel?
Ragnit
It is and without our great team, it wouldn’t be managerable. In the end the entire staff contributes to it. At this point, once again a big compliment to our ambitious team, this is really a great performance! We have decided for the classification, because it has tradition for us. In addition, we think that the result, namely to be four-star Superior hotel, reflects our outstanding quality and the service character of our house. Additionally there is also a certain guest clientele in hotels from the business and travel agency segment, which dictate an official classification. If the hotel is not officially classified, you will be expelled from the tender.
More Points Thanks to Digitization
Betterspace:
That really was a great team effort. A reliable source told us that our smart solutions have also brought a few extra points, right? Was that important to you when you decided on digital helpers in your hotel?
Ragnit:
The source is really reliable (laughs). Yes, they did, even though the “old” catalogue of criteria did not yet pay so much attention to digitization. For the digital guest directory iQ Tab, as well as for the occupation-dependent, automated temperature control iQ Roomcontrol , we collected extra points. Regarding our tablets, it was important that it was not only an information folder, but also telephone and Internet device . We were aware of this when we decided on Betterspace and the digital solutions, but it was not the decisive factor. We just wanted to go with the times and we will continue to do so!
“We stick to the hotel classification”
Betterspace:
Mr. Ragnit, thank you so much for the nice talk and your willingness to share information. Do you have any last decision-making tips for your colleagues?
Ragnit:
Thank you. As a last tip I can only say that it makes sense in any case to deal with the trend of digitization and therefore with digital helpers in the hotel. After all, many groups of guests are simply smart and digitally on the move. For them, certain things like functioning WLAN or a tablet in the hotel room are simply requirements and booking-decisive factors. We continue to stick to the hotel classification. Quite simply because I firmly believe that many guests also know which quality standard they can expect with a German classification.