End of the season in Menorca: winter also sets things in motion
The last guest leaves, our hotels close their doors to the public and the pace changes. It may seem as though the season has ended, but now a different phase begins: it’s time to check, look after and prepare every space so we can welcome you back.
In Menorca, winter has its own rhythm. There are windy days, sunny ones, and afternoons when you fancy a stroll by the sea with a jacket in hand. The paths seem quieter and the villages regain some of the tranquillity that summer takes away from them. Those of us who live here make the most of it by making simple plans: going for a walk, meeting up with family, popping to the market or enjoying a leisurely after-dinner chat without keeping one’s eye on the clock. It doesn’t have to be an outing every day; sometimes, the best plan is simply to linger a little longer in the sun.
That sense of pause is also evident in our hotels. Whilst Menorca slows down a gear, part of the team carries on working to ensure the next season begins with the premises well-maintained and in the best possible condition.
Taking our time to check every nook and cranny
With the hotel closed to the public, we can devote more time to tasks that require careful planning and organisation. We carry out thorough cleaning, paying attention to the hidden areas, both indoors and outdoors. We inspect frequently used spaces, surfaces and fixtures, and plan maintenance tasks for each hotel.
It’s also time to go through the equipment: checking its condition, what can still be used and what needs repairing or replacing. Areas in need of a lick of paint are given one; doors and furniture are inspected; and those minor nicks and scrapes caused by daily use are attended to. These tasks go largely unnoticed when everything is running smoothly, but they’re part and parcel of looking after the hotel.
The machinery also needs servicing. Equipment is checked and prepared so that it is ready to operate again when the time comes. Each facility has its own specific needs, so it is not a case of applying the same checklist to every space, but rather of identifying what is required in each one and organising it in good time.
This winter work is planned based on the needs identified during the summer. The previous season provides clues; the closure period offers the time to analyse them and take action.
Listening and turning feedback into improvements
Satisfaction surveys and guest feedback help guide part of this work. What information was difficult to find? What could work better? What details made the stay more comfortable, and which ones would be worth reviewing?
Some guests had told us they felt information was lacking in various areas of the hotel: what services were available, what their opening hours were, and what activities the entertainment programme offered. To address this need, we created a web app featuring a calendar, timetables and information on the hotel’s services, the island’s beaches and villages, as well as the daily entertainment programme.
The aim is simple: to let you check the information on your mobile and find it when you need it. If you want to know what time an activity starts or which service is available, it should be easy to find.
We also received feedback regarding the information at the buffet. That’s why we introduced e-ink labels displaying the name of each dish and its allergens in several languages. This way, the information is right next to the food, making it easier to check whilst you’re choosing. At a buffet with a variety of dishes and guests from different countries, this small detail can make a practical difference.
These improvements don’t come from a generic list. They stem from listening to what guests tell us and thinking about how to address these issues on a day-to-day basis. And, of course, every season brings new insights.
Training for day-to-day work
When the season ends, some members of the team stop working for those few months. The company also offers training for those taking part, in line with MiEco’s commitment to the professional and personal development of the people working at Minura Hotels. Find out more about MiEco
Some training courses focus on languages. In a hotel, you interact with people from all over the world, and being able to understand one another better makes it easier to address their queries and share information. Other training courses help staff use software and tools designed to organise tasks and manage each department’s work more effectively.
How teams coordinate with one another is also important. When work procedures are clearer and information reaches those who need it, errors are reduced and work flows more smoothly between departments. It’s not a change that guests always notice straight away, but it can be seen in a quicker response or in things being better organised.
Learning, in this case, isn’t just about acquiring knowledge. It’s also about reviewing how we do things and finding clearer ways to work together when the busy season returns.
Winter also recharges our batteries
And whilst the hotels get themselves ready, the team makes the most of these months to rest and recharge. After a busy season, it’s also necessary to slow down a bit.
Menorca helps. In winter, the landscape feels different: the wind rustles the pine trees, the sea changes colour and the paths are less crowded. There are walks to stretch your legs, leisurely coffees and days when a stroll through the village is enough to clear your head. It’s not a picture-postcard scene you have to go out of your way to find; it’s part of island life once summer has gone.
Those of us who live here know that Menorca has an energy all of its own. Sometimes it comes from a walk by the sea; other times, from a quiet chat or a spot of sunshine whilst running errands. They’re simple moments, but they help you return with a clearer head and your batteries recharged.
The end of the season brings all of this together: maintenance, cleaning, equipment checks, training, rest and improvements based on what we’ve learnt. The hotel is closed to guests, but preparations for the next season are already underway. When the long days and the hustle and bustle of summer return, we want to have everything ready to welcome you back.
