About us

Imperium Kobiet: What had been your career path?
Jolanta Burkot: I had worked in Kovon, in the foreign trade department. In 1995, I and my business partner founded the company TRESTLES and we started producing metal shelves. These were the days when getting a loan was much easier and it was the perfect time to build your own business from scratch. We lived modestly and economically, and all the money we earned was invested in business development.

IK: The historic castle is one of the most beautiful hotels on the Polish-Czech border. How did you come up with the idea to make such a spectacular complex in such a place?
JB: The joint-stock company TRESTLES broke through onto foreign markets and became a leading producer of shelves in Europe. Despite this, I began to miss direct contact with clients. I wanted to do something that made people happy and which effects were immediately visible. In 2012 there was an opportunity to buy the small castle, which had been neglected and unused, so I decided, together with my business partner, to invest in it. With an idea, élan and a considerable amount of money we have renovated the building. On May 31st 2013 a hotel and restaurant were launched. Thanks to the large hall on the first floor of the building, we began organizing wedding receptions and other occasional events. Today, young couples who dream of getting married alfresco can use the park and a special wedding gazebo. In addition to the castle hall, which can accommodate up to a hundred guests, we also have several smaller rooms which we rent for family or corporate events.

IK: 2017 was a breakthrough in your career.
JB: That was the year when I decided to buy out my business partner’s shares and become the only owner of the castle. I decided to introduce radical, conceptual changes. Earlier, we focused on luxury and “top-shelf” clientele. However, in a restaurant where waiters serve guests in white gloves, distance can be created, through which some may feel uncomfortable. I decided to completely broaden my perspective and open myself to new clients. We still maintain high quality services, although prices are more affordable. Today, families with small children or cyclists in tracksuits can feel at ease in our restaurant. The menu changes completely every three months, but there are some flag dishes that the Petrovice gastronomy is famous for. These include pearl oyster mushroom tartare, grown on our own plantation. The atmosphere prevailing among our guests is no less important than our food.

IK: Is the Czech business world similar to Polish, meaning it being dominated by men? If so, was it more difficult for you, a woman, to enter the market?
JB: From a broad perspective of someone who loves travelling around the world – I admit that people who work in sundry countries react to external stimuli, communicate and make decisions differently. Women communicate to create a bond, encourage interaction and create synergies through relationships. Experts say that companies led by ladies assess risks more accurately and manage them more efficiently. Women are much better at recognizing and solving the problems of stakeholders – clients, employees, local communities – which has a significant impact on the business’s success. Personally, I think that work-wise it doesn’t matter if there is a woman or a man on the other side. I focus on developing a mutual, partner and professional benefit.

IK: Where do you draw inspiration for the development of Zámeček from?
JB: I have travelled all over the world, seen gorgeous resorts, and that’s how I knew exactly what I wanted from the beginning. Today, the hotel has stunning underground relaxation facilities integrated into the surrounding park.

IK: What attractions are awaiting the guests visiting the SPA?
JB: Guests can not only enjoy several types of sauna, bathing and massages, but also relax on a wooden terrace by a lake, sheltered from prying eyes. The wellness and SPA area is accessed from the second lake, which is located in the public area of the park. A specialty is Klafs’s unique “Seventh Sky” therapeutic bed – the only one in Central Europe. We offer a lot of gift packages and our staff also speak Polish.

IK: Art seems to be an important aspect of your life. Where does this interest come from?
JB: That’s true. Every quarter we organize vernissages introducing paintings from Czech artists, as well as artists from abroad, whose works are then exhibited in the restaurant. A permanent exhibition of paintings hangs in the hotel, while in the park one can find works of many renowned artists. The most famous author is Blanka Matragi. Most of the art items hung in the castle I bought at charity auctions. We also try to organize recurring events for local residents. In the summer that includes an open-air cinema, in winter a meeting at the Christmas tree. Thanks to the pro publico bono activity, we have received the Hetman Award of the Moravian-Silesian Voivodeship for social responsibility in the category of companies consisting of up to 50 employees – twice, and we also came first in the same category in a similar competition on the scale of the whole Czech Republic, also twice.

IK: Is it true that the legendary Karel Gott sang at the opening of the renovated castle?
JB: That’s true. Despite the fact that Mr. Gott was accustomed to huge concert halls, for us he made an exception and sang for an intimate audience. This is one of the perfect examples of the momentum with which we approach every event we organize.

IK: How do you imagine the castle in 10 years’ time?
JB: We are changing dynamically, trying to keep pace with our guests, whose needs we closely observe. We have developed our own philosophy and standards, thanks to which our guests keep coming back. That is the biggest reward for our work.