This year, Park Hotel Kaylaka celebrates its 5th anniversary since its major renovation. Over five years, we have not simply welcomed thousands of guests — we have created unforgettable memories in the green heart of Pleven. The surprises for the celebration are yet to come, but before we pop the champagne, we introduce you to the man at the helm. Today we speak with Vasil Savkov, General Manager of Park Hotel Kaylaka, about the journey of transforming the hotel into a symbol of hospitality.
– Actually, that day in 2021 was not my first working day at the hotel — I had known the place from before. When I came for a meeting with the current team, the office was locked. For a moment I smiled, reached into my pocket, pulled out my old key, and unlocked the door. There was something much deeper in that simple gesture — a sense of belonging, of coming home. In that moment I understood that my connection with this hotel had never truly been broken, and that this was exactly where I belonged.
– Over these five years, the hotel has come a very long way. It has transformed completely — it went through its “growing pains,” matured, grew stronger, and today I can say with confidence that it has truly blossomed. With every passing year, with every passing day, we build on what we have already achieved.
Our greatest achievement, however, is not simply in the numbers or the awards — it is in the smiles of our guests, who are increasingly happy and satisfied, and that is the most genuine measure of our work. We are also proud of the recognition we received this year — being named among the top 10 four-star leisure hotels in Bulgaria. That is an honor, but also a responsibility to continue developing with the same dedication.
I must also mention the key person behind the changes in the hotel and the surrounding park — Ms. Lucy Dyakovska, who never stops investing resources, time, and energy to transform the hotel and the park and to restore the splendor for which they were created many years ago.
– Today’s guests are definitely different from those in 2021. As the hotel has developed and the quality of its services has improved, expectations have naturally changed as well — they have become higher, more specific, more demanding. The digital age also has an enormous influence: information is everywhere, the choice is vast, and the competition is ever stronger.
Today, it is not enough simply to be a good hotelier. You have to be able to sense people, to understand their needs even before they have expressed them. In a way, we all become psychologists as well, because true hospitality lies in the detail, in the personal touch, and in the ability to create an emotion.
– We have certainly prepared special surprises — an occasion like this deserves to be celebrated in style. But part of the magic of any celebration is precisely the anticipation, so for now we will keep the details a secret. I can only promise that very soon we will reveal more and share the joy with all our guests.
– I am glad that my work is exceptionally dynamic and inspiring — no two working days are the same. Of course, the day begins with routine tasks: reports, meetings, and coordination with the team. But the real value comes after that, when we dive into the most important challenge — how to make the hotel an even better place for our guests. Every day is a balance between the detail and the big picture, between expectations and reality. And it is precisely in that variety and constant pursuit of growth that the charm of this profession lies.
– The greatest challenge is to always keep pace with a rapidly changing environment. The hospitality industry is directly connected to everything happening around us — socially, economically, even politically. In that context, the most important thing is to find the right path, to maintain stability, to motivate our team, and at the same time to meet the ever-growing expectations of our guests.
The greatest satisfaction, on the other hand, comes from small, genuine moments — when a guest stops you in the corridor, smiles, and simply says: “Thank you.” That is the recognition that stays with you and gives meaning to everything we do.
– Guests see the end result — a set table, the warmth of the lobby, the effortlessness of the service. But behind that apparent ease lies an intense, never-ending rhythm of work. It is people from different departments operating like a well-synchronized mechanism, in which every detail matters.
A perfect stay is not a coincidence — it is the result of the efforts of an entire team of professionals who often remain “behind the scenes,” yet it is they who create the sense of comfort and excellence. And our greatest pride is that we have exactly such a team.
– They will never be able to replace people. Of course, technology can help and take over part of the routine work, especially in lower-category hotels. But in hotels with higher standards, guests expect personal service, contact with a real human being, a personalized approach, and sensitivity to their mood and needs. It is precisely this human presence that makes classic hospitality irreplaceable.
– When I am a guest at another hotel myself, many things catch my attention — the details, the service, the atmosphere. Nevertheless, I never criticize my colleagues, because I know how demanding and dynamic their work is. So I simply enjoy my stay and choose very carefully, in advance, the places I visit.
– A hotel becomes beloved when you sense that behind every service there are people who truly care. When the team and management invest attention and creative energy to surprise you with something new on every visit, when they value and respect you as a guest — then the hotel is no longer just a place to spend the night, but an experience you return to again and again.
– In five years, I see Park Hotel Kaylaka as a place that does not simply offer accommodation, but creates memorable experiences — with an even more personal approach and attention to every guest.
We will continue to develop and enrich our additional services in order to deliver greater value and comfort.
Our major goal is the opening of the spa center, which we have been working on for three years already — a project that will take the hotel to a new level and turn it into an even more attractive destination for rest and relaxation.
I have always said that for me this hotel is not a workplace but a cause and a mission. So — “mission” is my word.
