Small link with big impact
Why the Hotelbird Free-Package guest directory meets with much acceptance at Cologne’s Esplanade Hotel
The privately run 3-star Esplanade Hotel in the heart of Cologne has already introduced many digital services and functions in recent years, including a digital pre-check-in. What was still missing was a digital guest directory.
Managing director Michael Piontek: “I carried the idea around already for some years, but it was always too costly for me. Now I read in the trade press that Hotelbird wants to support us hoteliers, and offers a guest directory accordingly for free. For this, one could simply use existing data, e.g. from the PMS, and install the folder within a few minutes. In this respect, we immediately started with the data upload – which was really fast and uncomplicated.” Those who have a Booking.com interface could also use this for even faster data entry.
180 views within a few days
Within a few days, more than 180 retrievals of the guest portfolio ran up in the cloud provided by Hotelbird for this purpose. What had happened? A house booked out daily with completely new, information-hungry guests? A huge campaign for the new guest directory of the Hotel Esplanade? That wasn’t necessary at all. Piontek: “The guest directory is very practical and I also use the link to the folder in offers and in the signature of the guest email correspondence. So as advertising and advance info also about our hotel and some additional offers.”
Partner offers and Corona hygiene rules
Why is this? Piontek: “I have some partners and business friends here, a wine bar, a ramen restaurant, an outstanding frites kiosk and a brewery with whom I work regularly. No commission system – simply as a service because I am convinced of the restaurants and offers. I wanted to point to those in particular. In addition, the good accessibility of the trade fair and the stadium are big plus points of our hotel, which many people don’t know. And to refer to the Corona outpatient clinic and testing possibilities in the tips for the surrounding area seemed to me to be a good service idea for the current occasion, which perhaps differentiates us from others. This rounds off the digital offer of the Hotel Esplanade.
In addition, the digital guest directory was virtually overdue, especially in Corona times, and the offer was therefore very welcome at the right time, since retrieving the guest directory at the guest’s own device avoids hygiene problems. Obviously with great success – for hotelier, partner and guests. Or with reference to Michael Piontek’s personal motto: “You have to reckon with everything – even the good!
Digitize your hotel in under 5 minutes!
Benefit from an automated digital check-in incl. proof of identity and guest directory for 0 €. Available now for every hotel in the new Free-Package from Hotelbird.
- No costs
- No setup-fee
- No contract term
- No risk
Your contact person!
If you have any questions regarding the digitization and simplification of your hotel processes, we are always at your disposal. We would be happy to advise you on how to make your hotel business fit for the future.
Hendrik Grebe
GLOBAL KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER
PHONE +49 (0) 160 963 202 69
E-MAIL hendrik.grebe@hotelbird.com