UK based Beds and Bars group, who operate St Christopher’s Inns hostels across Europe, have launched an innovative online check-in service for their guests, as part of a three-year technology investment programme.
The technology was developed by Digital and Communications Director Duncan Robertson, and his team at Beds and Bars. Robertson said:
“The service will transform the customer experience and add instant value to the business.
“I’m proud that we, as a hostel business, have perfected the technology to facilitate online check-ins. This is a piece of technology that large hotel groups have been wrestling with for years.”
Check-in, payment and services
Not only does the new service allow guests to check-in online, it also allows for payment in local currency and the addition of services and products to a reservation. It can, for example, be used to add a cooked breakfast, a burger or a beer to a booking.
Mobile technology to meet customer expectations
The move comes as the hostel and hotel reservation market is going through a period of huge change and increased customer expectation.
Robertson commented: “We’ve been working hard to make sure our customers have the very best experience – from the moment they book, to the moment they check-out. This new system is the final piece of that jigsaw. The 100% mobile friendly online check-in is very much in line with the behaviour of our customers. They use mobile technology to interact with us online – more than they use a desktop computer.”
After strong financial returns from the new technology developed by the Beds and Bars team, the company are in talks to white label the system for similar operators.
Beds and Bars expect the new system to drive additional revenue to the business, providing a ROI within six-months.
The announcement comes on the heels of Bed and Bars opening their second Paris operation – a 38 million euro St Christopher’s Inns hostel and Belushi’s bar, opposite Gare du Nord. The new site is the hostel operator’s largest to date.
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