An Interview with Richard Valtr

The BLLA Events Team sits down with Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews, as he prepares to speak at the 2022 Boutique Hotel Owners Conference on October 25-26.

BLLA: Why are you excited to be a facilitator and sponsor?

RV: “Mews was born in a boutique hotel. We began our first iteration of what is now Mews, in my family’s boutique hotel located in the centre of Prague, Czech Republic. That was back in 2012, and it’s part of Mews’ DNA.

“We’ve always loved being a part of the BLLA’s community, the team brings together the best hotel minds who are looking to demonstrably disrupt the industry we all love. The BLLA community are truly those at ‘the tip of the spear’ when it comes to innovation in hospitality.”

BLLA: Why is it important for boutique hotel owners and leaders to gather in person annually?

RV: “Hospitality is a people business. Building connections is so important, not only with guests but within teams and with our peers. Great ideas and meaningful change rarely happen in silos: by gathering together with peers, we can share ideas, get inspired by what each other are doing, and then perfect and adopt these practices.

“While independent hoteliers don’t have the safety net of a big chain to rally behind, events like this by the BLLA ensure that there is still power in this innovative collective.”

BLLA: What is the mission statement of your company?

RV: “Our mission is to develop transformational solutions for brands and remarkable experiences for their guests. It’s a simple enough sentence, but ‘transformational’ and ‘remarkable’ are bold ambitions – ones that we’re already realizing for thousands of hoteliers and countless more guests.”

BLLA: What is your philosophy of hospitality in the new age?

RV: “If we had to pick a single word, hybrid would definitely be up there. The days where hotels only offer a room to sleep in and a table to eat breakfast at are coming to an end. As the world becomes more connected and more agile, there’s every reason to diversify your offering and maximize every space you have. On a simple level, this is fully integrating existing services like F&B, but it’s also more sophisticated, like providing day-use hotel rooms, bookable parking spaces, and flexible co-working areas. Do it right and you’ll have positive impacts on your revenue, guest loyalty, and your reputation.

“We also believe guests should be at the heart of everything hoteliers do. Mews is the most guest-centric of all hospitality clouds, building our solution with guests at its heart, creating the most seamless and modern journey possible. Why? Because everybody travels differently, and we now have the technology to personalize the guest journey and make it remarkable every time.”

BLLA: Why do you believe in the boutique movement?

RV: “Innovation comes from smaller brands that are able to work with agility and a deep knowledge of their customers. The boutique movement represents the best in hospitality: hoteliers who are passionate to create unique and memorable experiences for their guests.”

BLLA: How are you keeping the spirit of boutique alive in your company?

RV: “Ever since Mews began, we’ve kept the spirit of boutique alive in our core values. We have the confidence and ambition to think differently, to challenge the status quo mindset of ‘that’s how it’s always been done,’ and the determination to keep the guest experience at the heart of everything we do.

“After all, our vision is to make every experience remarkable. If that doesn’t encapsulate what makes boutique special, I don’t know what does.”