You walk into a cute little boutique hotel right in the heart of wine country. In your room, a tablet connects you to everything the hotel offers. It suggests restaurants, live music, nearby parks, and more. With a few taps, you set the room’s lighting to a cozy sunset glow, adjust the temperature perfectly, and open the curtains to reveal a stunning vineyard view. You book comedy show tickets, find the best brunch spot in town, rent mountain bikes for trail riding, and secure a sunset dinner cruise on the river. Welcome to the new age of guest engagement at unique venues where guest experience technology adds to the charm!
Your Non-Traditional Venue Is Not Too Small For Big Tech
Who says tech is just for the big players? Even small, charming venues in the hospitality industry can boost their guest experience with a bit of tech magic! Picture your guests walking into your cozy spot and feeling like VIPs as they personalize their stay with a few taps. From setting the perfect room ambiance to finding local hidden gems and booking unique experiences, digital personalization turns each visit into a customized adventure. It's not about being small; it's about thinking big.
Our Recommendations For Guest Experience Technology You Can Implement Quickly
Ready to add tech magic into your non-traditional venue? Let's dive into four technologies that will have your guests and your team over-the-moon. Get ready—your venue is about to become the talk of the town! But before we start, we have two main focuses as we review these platforms and they are:
- Guest Engagement This is the trendiest trend in hospitality technology -- using innovative tools to create individualized experiences and build trusted relationships with guests. Top-tier hotels are leveraging this secret sauce to turn a simple stay into an unforgettable adventure. It is a rapidly growing tech space, so keep up!
- Ease of implementation/Tech Support We’re hyper focused on how simple the technology is for you to implement and generate buy-in from your team. Tech support is crucial if you’re having to rollout new software. We’ve chosen platform with great reputations. In short: Easy-peasy setup + stellar support = happy customers!
We know you’re busy wearing all the hats. These two pieces of the puzzle are, in our experience, vital to a successful tech implementation. Let’s get into it.
Guest Experience Technology: If Adventures Are Part Of Your Place, You Need Tech To Manage Them
There are a slew of categories out there and technologies that support them—whitewater rafting, deep-sea fishing, hiking escapades, local attractions—the possibilities are endless. The goal with this tech is to streamline the booking process while capturing important guest data so you can customize their experiences like never before.
Guest Experience Technology Case Study: EpicPass - Revolutionizing Skiing Experiences at Kirkwood
EpicPass is indispensable tech for the skiing experience at Kirkwood, part of Vail Resorts. This pass grants guests access to multiple ski resorts, seamlessly integrating various services and benefits to elevate their adventure. The impact? EpicPass not only simplifies the ski experience for guests but also provides Vail Resorts with invaluable data on usage patterns. This data helps refine guest services and tailor marketing strategies, giving the resort an opportunity to increase revenue. (EpicPass also offers digital room keys, but for our purposes, we focused on the experience part of the platform.)
Property Management Systems: Do You Have a Place? Then You Really Need This Tech.
Property management technology is the backbone of any successful venue, big or small. It's more than just tracking reservations and hotel reviews; it's about creating a seamless experience for guests and staff. A robust system centralizes hotel operations—from booking to housekeeping—reducing headaches and freeing up time to deliver unforgettable experiences. Integrated analytics provide insights into guest preferences, helping you tailor services that keep them coming back for another memorable stay.
Hotel Case Study: Guest Experience Technology CloudBeds At The Charming And Unique Hotel McCoy
Cloudbeds is a comprehensive property management system that enhances every step of the guest journey, from booking to check-out. This platform integrates reservation management, channel management, and unified communications, offering a holistic approach to property management. The impact? Cloudbeds enables Hotel McCoy to deliver personalized guest interactions and streamline operations, resulting in higher guest satisfaction and loyalty.
Check out Hotel McCoy’s experience with this tech.
Booking and Management Software: Even The Rugged Outdoorsy-est Places Need Tech
Even the most rugged venues—like treehouse retreats, glamping sites, or rustic mountain lodges—can thrive with booking and management tech. Picture guests arriving at your secluded cabin seamlessly thanks to automated driving directions and check-in instructions sent right to their smartphones. With platforms designed for independent venues, you can manage bookings effortlessly, send personalized welcome messages, and upsell experiences like guided hikes or campfire storytelling sessions. This tech keeps the charm intact while ensuring smooth operations and pampered guests—even in the wildest settings.
Non-Traditional Venue Case Study: Guest Experience Technology NewBook at Village Camp
Village Camp utilizes NewBook, a versatile booking and management software designed for unique accommodation types like camping and holiday parks. It supports online bookings, on-site activity scheduling, guest communications, and contactless services, addressing the complex needs of large-scale accommodation providers. With NewBook, Village Camp enhances the guest booking experience and personalizes activity offerings for future stays, leading to improved guest engagement and overall satisfaction.
Digital Commerce Platforms: Restaurant Owners, This One’s For You!
Last but certainly not least: for all of our restauranteurs, let’s talk about tech designed for you. Digital commerce platforms designed specifically for the food and beverage industry are your new best friends. These tech wonders can streamline everything from online reservations and order management to digital menus and customer feedback. You’ll have all your dining locations connected, with real-time data at your fingertips to optimize service, boost sales, and elevate personalized customer satisfaction.
Example: BentoBox at Union Square Hospitality
Union Square Hospitality employs BentoBox to streamline its digital commerce operations, particularly enhancing the dining experience through integrated solutions tailored for the restaurant industry. The platform supports online ordering, event management, contactless payments, and the sale of gift cards—vital for restaurants expanding their digital presence. The impact? BentoBox helps maintain high-quality service and brand consistency across digital and physical spaces, including face-to-face interactions, boosting customer retention and operational efficiency at Union Square Hospitality.
Cheers To Tech-Savvy Hospitality!
Incorporating technology into your non-traditional venue isn't just a trend—it's a game-changer. From experience management platforms like EpicPass to comprehensive property management solutions like NewBook, these tools can transform how you operate and engage with guests. Whether you're managing a boutique hotel in wine country or a rustic campsite in the mountains, there's tech out there that can make every guest feel like royalty AND making your life easier. Plus, it frees up time for more personal interactions with your guests! So go on, add some tech magic to your venue and watch it become the town's hot spot! Here's to raising the bar in hospitality and delivering superior service with every tap!
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