LUX - August 2017 27 Dose of Relaxation “The geothermal field in Velingrad is the largest in southern Bulgaria. The total flow of the sources is 160 l/sec. There are sources of mineral water (80 in total) and the mild climate and beautiful landscape are the main wealth of the town. Velingrad is one of the largest spa complexes in Bulgaria and on the Balkan peninsula. That is why it has been unanimously chosen to be The Spa Capital of the Balkans, with its many sanatoriums, spas and modern hotels.” Villa Vuchev was put into operation and received state certification in September 2014, Nikolay tells us. He then furnishes us with the details of the villa’s design, it’s soothing hot mineral pool and the vital role that staff play in the success of the of the company. “The design of the villa is exclusively made by a famous Bulgarian designer. The villa is in the spa capital of the Balkan, the City of Velingrad and has an inviting hot mineral pool which will provide you with the necessary dose of relaxation and it will help you forget any form of stress. The villa also has at its disposal a sauna and a jacuzzi, which make it a suitable choice for a complete spa vacation during all seasons. “The staff of Villa Vuchev will take care of your comfort, which is why regardless of the number of guests during your stay, other guests won’t be allowed in the villa. The executive director of Villa Vuchev, is Mr. Ivaylo Nikolov, who has been a partner and director of several successful restaurants in Sofia. The staff of the villa is made up of seven seasoned professionals, all of whom have a professional education in the hospitality sector. Between them, they speak several languages which are English, German and Russian. Additionally, the villa is in the high price segment, so it only serves VIP guests. “When selecting staff, the professional training of each is of the upmost importance to us. At the beginning of each business day, we always recall our corporate values. An interesting fact is that since the opening of the villa, no staff have chosen to work for another employer, because they have remained loyal to our business. Each one of us is ready to give Villa Vuchev is a luxury villa in the Western Rhodopes. As winner of the special Luxury Holiday Villa of the Year 2017 – Bulgaria award, we interviewed the company’s owner, Nikolay Vuchev to learn more about the luxury that this establishment affords for their exclusive customers. Dose of Relaxation Company: Villa Vuchev Name: Mr. Ivailo Nikolov – General Manager Email:
[email protected] Web Address: villa-vuchev.com Address: 12 Vella Peeva Blvd, 4600 Velingrad, Bulgaria Telephone: +359 888 899 492 200%, as we ensure that each guest is looked after well.” Nikolay then reveals how the team always aim provide the best possible service to their guests, including the techniques they employ to ensure a memorable visit for all. “Every three months, the staff of Villa Vuchev undergo pre-qualification courses and trainings. In the villa, we have developed and implemented a system of quality control. The personal attitude towards each guest is only a part of the high-level of service we provide. “The first thing that every guest encounters in our villa, is the smile of the staff, as well as the impeccable cleanliness and the perfect design. We have a tradition in welcoming guests, with a refreshing drink, accompanied by fresh seasonal fruits and homemade biscuits.” Now that the market is highly saturated with suggestions, Villa Vuchev is trying to show something that is both authentic and local. Nikolay adds his thoughts on how the company uses technology to support their work and always aims for sustainability in terms of the energy and food that are consumed on the premises. “The Rhodopes are mountains with a 1000-year history behind them. Once we saw and felt the spirit of this mountain, we always wanted to go back there. While we are constantly improving things here, the experience we have gained during the past three years has helped us to clear up the even the smallest of mistakes. “We strive to use environmental technology compliance, for example, we heat our villa with a geothermal plant, solar energy and LED lights that do not emit carbon emissions. We also use biodegradable cleaning and preparation materials. We only buy eco-products from this region, for the food we prepare and we strive to preserve the beautiful nature that surrounds us. “The food products used in Villa Vuchev, are all handmade, for example fruit juiceS, jamS, natural honey, lamb from eco farms, cheeses, sausages, homemade yoghurtS, special kind of beans (Sofenka), Rhodopen mountain herbal tea, mushrooms (the Boletus variety), special varieties of red wines, rosé and much more. For all other products and drinks, we use first-rate manufacturers with a quality certificate. Also, bread in the villa is prepared personally by the chef.” In closing, Nikolay reveals what the future has in store for Villa Vuchev and offers his thoughts on the wider hospitality sector today. “A great potential in the development of Villa Vuchev - is the increased number of flights from European destinations to Bulgaria. We believe that this will increase our guests from European towns, who decided to enjoy the millennial history, traditions and hospitality of the Rhodope mountains, the nature they can find here, not to mention the healing mineral water. “Like every industry, hospitality is one that is constantly developing in a dynamic way. Now, the competition is deadly, but if each of us does not seek to develop and improve the service we offer, then we would simply disappear. Despite the intense competition, we face, Villa Vuchev is privileged because Velingrad is a year-round spa resort and is officially recognised as the spa capital of the Balkans. “We expect there to be a serious challenge for Bulgarian tourism during the Bulgarian Presidency of the European Union. This will put on a pretty good exam on all working in the tourism sector and we would like protect the national brand.”