Mystery Shoppers

This weekend we had an interesting adventure at Hotel Versal (http://hotel-versal.com/eng/index.html), which is Vinntysia's most elegant hotel. The Director of the hotel, who attended several of Sandy's tourism seminars on customer service in hotels and restaurants, requested we come for a night as mystery shoppers. None of the staff knew we were coming, and she promised that our stay would be reimbursed in exchange for giving our impressions and recommendations for the hotel.

The evening was quite delightful, and well above usual standards of Peace Corps Volunteers. We enjoyed a drink at the bar, a nice dinner and breakfast and what was the best bed we've slept on in Ukraine. Sandy might consider the single bed at the Radisson a tie, but this was a genuine double bed and thus wins for us together. Typically, hotels here have either single beds pushed together or on the opposite side of the room from each other. Status as a married couple does not entitle you to anything nicer.

Throughout the night, we took notes and jotted down ideas. In the morning after breakfast, we met with the Director, who is a very savvy businesswoman who spends her time thinking of ways to improve her hotel and increase business. She showed us the rest of the hotel (we should have used the sauna, as we didn't realize it came with a private swimming pool and solarium!). They even have recently built log cabin units, complete with flat screen TVs.

The moral of the weekend...Ukrainian tourism and businesses are showing a great deal of promise these days. It is a nice thought as we come closer to the end of our service.