In recent years, the hotel sector has been experiencing a real revolution in services. In particular, remote check-in is proving to be a convenient and useful technological tool, especially for the new generations of travellers who use apps and web services to manage their free time in a fast and personalized way.
Considering the prudence necessary in times of the Covid-19 pandemic, the self-check-in and self-check-out services prove to be even more convenient in terms of social distancing, both for accommodation facilities and for guests. But what are these services specifically and what are the benefits for hotels and customers who use them?
Remote check in and check-out: what they are?
Self-check-in for hotels is the digital automatic check-in operation of customers who have previously booked one or more rooms online. When guests arrive at the hotel, they can avoid interacting with the hotel staff and go directly to the room: the door opens thanks to an unlock code received via email after booking or through an app command made available by hotel.
Self-checkout works broadly in the same way: an automatic digital process allows guests to report leaving their room without the intervention of the reception staff. To carry out the self-check-out it is possible to use the terminals provided by the hotel or a special app that guides customers step by step for the correct payment procedure.
The advantages that can be obtained thanks to the smart access management technology are many and concern both hotels and guests: let’s see what they are and how they improve the activities of the staff and the stay experience of customers.
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Better use of hotel resources
To win the trust of customers, hotels must offer them positive and unique experiences through their services. This is only possible through optimal use of the hotel’s resources. The self-check-in management platforms are integrated into the PMS (Property Management System), the program used by hotel staff to manage room reservations, invoices, rates, etc. In this way, the accommodation can optimize all activities in the best possible way by importing the PMS booking data directly to the App, while guests can book rooms as soon as they are available.
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Reduction of queues at the reception
One of the main advantages of remote check in and check-out is the reduction of queues at the reception. It allow guests to speed up booking, payment and luggage storage operations, allowing them to save precious time.
Customers simply use the hotel terminal by entering their names or a confirmation code, or scan an identity document or a QR code using their smartphone. From the point of view of the hotel staff, this translates into greater efficiency in the provision of services and greater availability of time to devote to the main activities of the hotel.
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Extension of the time slot for booking and check-out
Thanks to the digitalization of processes, guests can check-in and check-out at any time, except for any night closures and cleaning services in the rooms of customers who have completed their stay. This is a very convenient feature especially for overnight travellers who arrive at the hotel tired and eager to rest.
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Reduction of human errors
It happens to encounter errors on the part of the hotel staff at the time of booking, such as badly written names and wrong room assignments. These are understandable mistakes in hospitality structures where employees are particularly busy, especially during the high season. But by automating the check-in process, most of these errors can be avoided.
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Increased safety for guests and staff
Social distancing as a protective measure from Covid-19 draws a new map of the relationships and interactions between hotel staff and customers, sometimes requiring large spaces in which to provide services. Through the smart access management technology, greater security is guaranteed, avoiding the creation of gatherings and minimizing interactions between hotel staff and guests.