Vladimir works as Receptionist and Social Media Ambassador at the MEININGER Hotel Copenhagen, helping our Social Media team create fun and engaging content form the city. Originally from Slovakia, he moved to Denmark to study film and media, and it didn’t take him long to find his place and community in the new country. In this interview, he tells us more about his passion for creating media content and also shares what working in a hotel looks like on a daily basis, what he loves the most about it and some funny stories.
Let’s start from the beginning: Can you tell us a bit about your background and what brought you to Copenhagen?
Originally, I come from Slovakia, from a town called Poprad, under the highest Slovak mountains—the Tatra Mountains, which basically means nice cold winters and good warm summers. I left Slovakia when I was 14 and me and my family moved to Ireland, where I also have family. I’ve been interested in Cinematography and Film since a young age. In Ireland, I completed my high school and joined a local theatre. That helped me gain skills in acting, writing & directing theatre plays.
After completing my first year of Film University in Cork—where I also wrote, directed & filmed my first short film about stopping time—I decided to move to Denmark in January 2017 to continue my film and media studies and improve my skills. At first, I lived in a town called Kolding. In 2020 I moved to Copenhagen, and I am still here. 😊
Fun Fact: During my very first night in Denmark in 2017, I actually stayed at MEININGER Copenhagen before I went to Kolding where I studied. Hmm who would have known back then that I will work for MEININGER some years later. Funny how life works.
What were you doing before becoming a receptionist at MEININGER Hotel Copenhagen? Had you worked in hospitality before, and how long have you been with MEININGER?
Before I become a receptionist for the MEININGER Hotel Copenhagen, I already had plenty of experience in hospitality as I also worked as Night Receptionist for Finnegan’s Hostel in Ireland in 2016. In Denmark, I worked as receptionist for Comwell Hotel too. In the meantime, I was also following my passion and helping brands increase their social media presence by making video & photo content for them.
I’ve been working for MEININGER Hotels since July 2021, which makes it 4 productive years. 😊 I started as part-time Night Shift Receptionist, after few months I also became Social Media ambassador and eventually moved to full-time Day Shift Receptionist.
How was it moving to Denmark? Any memorable “culture shock” moments or funny surprises when you first arrived?
The experience of moving to Denmark was quite manageable and easy for me, as it was not my first time moving to a different country nor living away from family. I was quite excited to start a life in new country. I guess the biggest shock was the fact that the days are shorter and nights are longer in Denmark. Especially since I moved in January—which meant that it was dark for most of the time. Also making friends and finding new relationships was super easy as I am quite social and fun person, plus living a student life made everything easier too.
What does a typical day at the front desk look like for you?
It’s very different every day and ranges from check ins, guests interactions, making guests feel comfortable in our hotel, making drinks, replying to messages / E-mails & making sure all daily tasks are completed. I’m also involved in making and creating social media content and organizing some of the events in our hotel. No day in a hotel is ever the same as the day before; there’s always something happening. Our hotel is full of interactions, stories, fun & unforgettable vibes.
What’s the funniest or most unusual thing guests have asked you so far?
Oh, there have been so many interesting questions guests have asked me in the past years that I lost track of most of them. But what I can recall on the spot is when on multiple occasions, different guests came to reception asking a very unusual question—if our room 440 is haunted? They all had different stories about this specific room. A little spooky fact.
What do you think guests love most about MEININGER, and what part of that are you most proud to be a part of?
As we have many different types of guests, I believe they all find something different to love and enjoy about us. In the case of our hotel in Copenhagen, I believe that our guests really enjoy the fact that we are located only 2 minutes from Central station and 7 minutes from the City Square. Internally, our Copenhagen hotel offers lounge area, gaming zone, self-service kitchen, garden, many live music performances, engaging fun events & really affordable prices for rooms. As the saying goes ‘’1000 people—1000 tastes‘’. I am sure every one of those 1000 people would find something they would love about MEININGER Hotels.
How would you describe your team at Copenhagen? What is the magic element that makes you all work so well together?
I think the best way to describe our Copenhagen team would be: ‘’A unified team of unique talents‘’. Over the years, I have come to see and realize that everyone has different kinds of strengths and talents. Working in hospitality involves meeting different people and dealing with different requests and situations. For example: Sometimes one receptionist might not have an answer for a guest’s question, but another co-worker will. Or if a guest speaks only little English, most likely our team has someone who speaks their language and is able to help them. While doing things, people always find strengths they didn’t even know they had, and that makes us stronger and more efficient together.
Your team often organizes events like quizzes and karaoke nights. How do those ideas usually come to life, and how do guests respond to them?
Yes, that’s right. We organize karaoke nights, quiz games, chess Mondays and recently added a small speed dating event on Tuesdays. I’m the one who organizes the quiz nights since October 2022, and I have to say that it’s really fun for me: from creating the quiz from scratch to talking to the guests from the stage. Seeing people laughing, clapping and enjoying what I made for them makes me feel joy, but also boosts my confidence and makes me even better and funnier at the next event. While making the quiz games, I have also learned so much myself: probably some useless stuff, but some very useful. #Quizmaster. 😛
Other events, such as karaoke, are organized by my colleagues who actually know how to sing. Our guests absolutely love our events and it’s easy to tell just by looking at them as they laugh, engage, sing and participate. They create a great mood & fun atmosphere.
Additionally, you’re also a Social Media ambassador, helping our Social Media team create authentic content from Copenhagen. How did you become one?
Even before MEININGER, I was already involved in film, camera work & social media content creation for other brands and smaller businesses. As I mentioned in previous points, I was always interested in storytelling and turning ideas into finished video content. I became a social media ambassador as the previous one took on a management role and this position became available.
Over the past years I have made a lot of creative videos. I find it really fun to play around and combine different styles & angles of filming. Currently, MEININGER Hotels is present on many different social media platforms, which increases our visibility chances.
What’s your best piece of advice for anyone who wants to work in hospitality or become a receptionist?
I believe that the best advice for everyone who wishes to work in hospitality is to learn how to have patience, show friendly spirit and find enjoyment in what you do. I think those 3 points are very important, not only to make guests feel more comfortable when talking to you, but also because every job should involve something that you enjoy and makes you happy, otherwise what is the point? I was able to realize that, and it definitely makes a difference having this mindset while working.
Where do you see yourself in five years? What exciting experiences or opportunities would you like to have at MEININGER Hotels by then?
Oh well, I think 5 years is a long time from today, but I would like to think that I would be able to achieve much more than I already have, including more events, more viral content for our social media and contributing towards MEININGER’s brand successes.
Thanks for sharing your insights, Vladimir!
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