Hotel Meilchen's Pioneering Self-Check-In Experience with HotelFriend

Client

hotel-meilchen.de

Property Type

Hotel

Location

Dillingen an der Saar, Germany

The project launch

August 2022

About Hotel Meilchen

Hotel Meilchen, located in Dillingen an der Saar, is a small oasis in the heart of the city. Recently revamped, their accommodation offers spacious rooms and top-notch amenities, including a fitness center, terrace, and a welcoming bar. From soundproof windows to secure storage for cyclists, they prioritize guest comfort in every detail.

The dedicated staff ensures a spotless environment and a home-like atmosphere, going the extra mile to cater to guest needs. However, to streamline operations and offer a hassle-free self-check-in experience, they recognized the need for an efficient property management system. That's where their journey with HotelFriend comes in!

Challenges Faced by Hotel Meilchen

When it comes to challenges, the hotel faced some common issues related to the limitations of their old software.

Their old system lacked essential features crucial for efficient hotel management, such as automated emails, payments, invoices, and reports.
Ensuring accurate synchronization of prices and inventory with major Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) to prevent overbookings.
Unifying bookings from diverse channels, including emails, calls, website, and walk-ins, in one centralized platform.
Providing guests with the possibility to self-check in at any time.

Solutions Provided by HotelFriend

Our clients discovered HotelFriend in their search for an all-in-one solution and chose the Grow suite. This package significantly improved operations, automated payments, and reports, and provided tailored solutions to meet the main challenges.

Property Management System (PMS). The new intuitive PMS enhanced the hotel’s efficiency and empowered them to centralize bookings. The unified and organized approach to managing invoices, reports, and reservations, ultimately contributes to an elevated guest experience.
Channel Manager. Integration with the Channel Manager provided a two-way connection to major OTAs, such as Booking.com, HRS, and others, effectively preventing overbookings. Hotel Meilchen now operates with confidence, knowing that its occupancy levels are accurately managed and aligned with its actual room availability.
Remote Reception. Beyond the basics, Hotel Meilchen aimed to streamline check-ins without depending on staff assistance. With Remote Reception, guests can now effortlessly check in using a tablet and a booking PIN code, minimizing wait times in the hotel lobby.

To help the hotel smoothly move to the new system, the support team went the extra mile by providing comprehensive assistance, including personalized video calls and transferring reservations from the old system into the new one in just about 30 minutes.

Integrations Featured

Google Hotels integration

The strategic integration with Google Hotels was added to highlight the hotel's availability and rates on multiple Google platforms, including Google Search and Maps. Such visibility draws a larger audience and plays a pivotal role in boosting bookings, contributing to an increase in reservations for the Hotel Meilchen.

Results Achieved

Our client quickly experienced the myriad benefits of employing tailored technological solutions:

Flexible check-in process available round the clock

The implementation of an almost round-the-clock self-check-in process has significantly improved guest flexibility and convenience. Travelers can now check in on their own even after a late flight, which enhances their satisfaction with the hotel service and contributes to a more accommodating experience.

Automation of all core processes in the hotel

The hotel successfully automated its daily tasks, such as invoice generation and communication workflows. Specifically tailored for corporate clients, the automation extends to invoices and guest interactions, including birthday wishes, confirmation emails, or order creation emails. This helps staff to save time and ensures consistent and personalized guest engagement.

Consolidated bookings with different rates

By consolidating bookings from various channels, the property has streamlined its operations and reduced manual efforts. The establishment of distinct rates for bookings from online travel agencies and direct bookings enhances pricing flexibility and management efficiency.

Accurate synchronization with Booking, Airbnb, and HRS

The accurate synchronization with online booking platforms like Booking, Airbnb, and HRS successfully eliminated any risk of double bookings and guest confusion. This ensures a seamless booking process in the hotel, enhancing the reliability of its reservation system.

More payment options available to guests

HotelFriend's payment automation has broadened guest payment choices to include EC, MasterCard, Maestro, and Visa. In the era of instant gratification, guests seek seamless and flexible reservation processes with payment options tailored to their preferences. This way, Hotel Meilchen gained a competitive edge, fostering customer loyalty and retention.

«I was able to instruct my сolleague on using the PMS in under 10 minutes. Report generation and self-check-in are incredibly straightforward, and the whole system is thoughtfully organized.»

Manager of Hotel Meilchen

Nicole Reiter