AUSTIN, Texas, April 20, 2023  — Virdee, a leader in guest experience technology and check-in automation, announced today that it achieved top honors at the 2023 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show, by winning the AAHOA Tech Pitch Competition, Co-Powered by HFTP. Virdee was recognized for its Virdee Virtual Reception platform, which elevates the guest experience and delivers operational efficiency at hotels with its industry-leading identity validation, payment, digital key and guest communication features.

The AAHOA Convention & Trade Show, known as AAHOACON, touts over 6,000 attendees and is the nation’s largest event aimed exclusively at hotel owners. Held this year in Los Angeles, the show’s Tech Pitch Competition identifies the latest and greatest technologies that are solving everyday issues for hotel owners, their team members, and guests. Virdee won the competition from a field of eight finalists.

“We are thrilled to receive this prestigious honor from AAHOA. To be recognized for a product that we’ve all worked so hard to bring to the market, is very exciting for Virdee,” said Branigan Mulcahy, Co-Founder of Virdee. “I cannot tell you how unbelievable it was to win. This is further proof for us that Virdee is absolutely on the right track with our solutions and corporate roadmap. We look forward to continuing to offer technology that really supports hotels in providing a positive guest experience.”

Branigan’s award-winning presentation may be seen at this link.

Virdee was formed in 2020 to bring a contactless experience that would work anywhere and with any system while supporting 100% of guest check-ins to owners and operators of hotels. For more about Virdee and its solutions, visit www.virdee.io.

About Virdee
Based in Austin, Texas, Virdee is an innovative software company serving the hotel industry. Its API-first approach provides the most comprehensive solution of check-in/out, identity verification, payment collection, and remote support. Virdee helps clients elevate the customer experience, reduce costs and generate ancillary revenue. Virdee was founded in 2020 by experienced real estate operators and visionary technologists – Branigan Mulcahy and Nadav Cornberg. Visit www.virdee.io to learn more.

About AAHOA
AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the nation, with member-owned properties representing a significant part of the U.S. economy. AAHOA’s 20,000 members own 60% of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.7% of the nation’s GDP. More than one million employees work at AAHOA Member-owned hotels, earning $47 billion annually, and member-owned hotels support 4.2 million U.S. jobs across all sectors of the hospitality industry. Visit https://www.aahoa.com/home  to learn more.

Contact info:

Joanne Hogue
Smart Connections PR for Virdee
(410) 658-8246
joanne@smartconnectionspr.com

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Fewer listings and ads can significantly impact visibility, particularly for hotels and OTAs that rely on search and ads to attract visitors to their websites. With the rise of AI-powered conversational bots, SEO and SERPs may become less relevant as bots provide users with direct answers to their queries. Although ads are still possible, the ad space available may be reduced compared to the search page results. This could lead to fewer visibility possibilities for hotels and OTAs, resulting in less website traffic and lower revenue. Additionally, as the demand for advertising stays the same, fewer ads may increase the cost of advertising, making it more expensive for hotels and OTAs to attract visitors to their websites. Ultimately, the shift towards conversational bots poses a challenge for businesses to adapt and find new ways to attract users and increase their visibility to remain competitive in the industry.

To increase visibility in the age of conversational bots, hotels, and OTAs should focus on the following strategies:

• Optimize their online presence: Provide excellent websites with relevant content and offers aligned with customers’ expectations. This content should be high quality and very specific, making it easier for conversational bots to reference the information in response to users’ inquiries.

• Invest in influencer marketing: Collaborating with influencers increases brand awareness and trust, increasing website traffic and bookings.

• Embrace social media marketing: Use social media platforms to promote your brand, engage with customers, and encourage them to leave reviews.

• Leverage customer reviews: User-generated content, such as customer reviews, is crucial to building trust, improving brand recognition, and attracting more visitors to your website.

• Improve user experience (UX): Enhancing UX through streamlined, easy-to-use booking processes and mobile optimization can help improve search engine ranking and customer engagement.

• Increase Direct Bookings: Hotels can drive more visibility by increasing direct bookings or bookings through their website rather than relying on third-party platforms.

• Take advantage of paid search ads: While the ad space available may be reduced compared to the search page results, paid search ads can still attract visitors to your website and increase visibility.

In conclusion, the rise of AI-powered conversational bots will disrupt the hospitality industry by changing how guests search for information and make reservations. While this poses challenges for hotels and OTAs that rely on search and ads to attract visitors, the shift towards conversational bots also presents an opportunity for businesses to adapt and find new ways to increase their visibility, attract users, and improve their customer experience. By optimizing their online presence, investing in influencer and social media marketing, leveraging customer reviews, enhancing UX, increasing direct bookings, and taking advantage of paid search ads, hotels and OTAs can stay competitive in the industry and provide their customers with the best possible experience. Ultimately, as the industry evolves, businesses must stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies to stay ahead of the game and succeed in the long run.

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One of the main benefits of guest-facing technology is convenience. Mobile apps, in particular, have become essential in creating a seamless and enjoyable guest experience. With the integration of mobile apps, guests can book their stay, check-in, and check-out, and access important information about their accommodation, such as Wi-Fi passwords and property rules, all from their smartphones.

This level of convenience has not only made the guest experience more enjoyable but has also improved the efficiency of operations. For example, self-check-in kiosks have become increasingly popular in the hospitality industry, allowing guests to bypass the front desk entirely. This reduces wait times and frees staff members to focus on more critical tasks, such as guest requests and maintenance issues.

The integration of smart home devices has also given guests greater control over their environment, which has contributed to a more personalized experience. For example, devices such as Nest thermostats and Philips Hue lights allow guests to customize their space to their liking without interacting with a staff member. This level of personalization creates a more comfortable and welcoming environment, ultimately leading to higher guest satisfaction rates.

In addition to enhancing the guest experience, guest-facing technology has also been used to collect and analyze data. Using mobile apps and other digital tools, short-term rentals, apartments, and campus housing can collect valuable information about guest behavior and preferences. This data can then be used to tailor the guest experience and make data-driven decisions about property management.

For example, by analyzing data collected from smart home devices, properties can identify which features guests use most frequently and adjust the amenities accordingly. This data analysis can also help properties anticipate guest needs, such as providing additional towels and toiletries, and improve the overall guest experience.

The use of guest-facing technology has also contributed to the safety and security of guests. For example, properties can install keyless entry systems that require a unique code or mobile app to access the accommodation. This eliminates the need for physical keys and enhances the property’s security by limiting access to authorized guests.

Furthermore, technology has enabled properties to improve communication with guests. Using mobile apps and chatbots; properties can provide guests with important information about their stay, such as property rules and local attractions. This level of communication improves the guest experience and increases the likelihood of repeat bookings.

In conclusion, guest-facing technology has transformed short-term rentals, apartments, and campus housing. By providing guests with greater convenience, personalization, and control over their environment, these properties have created more satisfying and enjoyable experiences for their guests. As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that guest-facing technology will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of travel and accommodation. Properties that embrace this technology will be better equipped to meet the needs of their guests and stay ahead of the competition.

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Then there are differing types of properties. We’re going to focus on the main three: select-service, full-service, and luxury. There are additional categories, including extended stay properties, which fall somewhere between select-service and full-service, and casinos and resorts. These all have unique needs as well beyond the main three categories. We’ll reserve those for another blog and look at how hospitality tech can serve the main three categories today. 

Select-service properties 

We’ve all driven down the highway and seen the numerous options of highway hotels and motels. Many of those are selected-service or limited-service properties, meaning they don’t offer the full array of features like a gym, spa, room service, pool, etc., that many mainstream hotels have. They target a specific type of guest who is budget minded and/or just looking for a place to sleep while on the road. These guests aren’t looking for all the bells and whistles and similarly don’t want to pay for what they are not using.  

Select-service hotels often run on very tight margins. They don’t have the additional features that drive higher margins of full-service hotels, and their room rates are lower as a result. Guests arrive at all hours of the day and night (especially along highways or near airports), so staffing is important. If you’ve ever missed a flight and then had to stand in line to check in at 1:00 in the morning while jetlagged, you know how frustrating that experience can be. This is where self-check-in kiosks and apps can specifically alleviate guest frustration and get them to their room (and pillow) faster. The capability of a kiosk or app to check in and provide a key card or mobile key to the guest all without requiring staff intervention, makes for a smooth experience.  

Full-service properties 

Full-service hotels are the Marriotts and Hiltons of the world and many boutique brands. They’re generally larger than select-service hotels and offer features like on-site restaurants and bars, a pool/spa, room service, valet, and more. They are frequented by business travelers and tourists who want to stay in the heart of a city and enjoy the property amenities. The room rates are commensurately higher than those of select-service properties, and the guests are generally ready to pay for the amenities to enhance their stay.  

Amenities are important for full-service hotels as they drive considerable margin and also help differentiate the stay in the guest’s mind vs other hotels. Technology like in-room tablets from companies like Crave can help put these amenities front and center, educating guests on what is available and even pushing special offers based on guest information. Similarly, having access via mobile phone to property amenities puts the control in the guest’s hands, allowing them to order room service or schedule a spa treatment from anywhere without having to pick up the room phone or stop by a service desk.  

Staff attention is important to guests of full-service hotels, which means staffing issues can have serious consequences at these properties, impacting guest net promoter scores (NPS). The tablets and apps mentioned above remove the need to approach staff to place a room service order. Additionally, and similar to select-service hotels, self-check-in apps and kiosks can remove much of the staffing pressures, allowing available staff to spend more time addressing guests directly and ensuring a positive experience.  

Luxury properties 

Luxury hotels are the aspirational properties that we all long to stay at during a tropical vacation. They are the ones that pick you up from the airport in a luxury car and have the highest levels of décor, food, bedding, and staffing available. The commercial of the guest arriving by boat to the JW Marriott in Venice plays on a loop in my mind. You are greeted at the door, and the level of personal attention only goes up from there.  

These hotels have fewer business travels, and many of those vacationing at a luxury property want personal attention. That is why the concept of a mobile check-in app or kiosk might be scoffed at initially. But wait! What’s luxurious about standing at a front desk (albeit one of immaculate Italian marble) while the agent taps away at a keyboard? Why not want to have that all done ahead of time before getting to the property? Isn’t true luxury the ability to go straight to your room? For those who want a physical key card, check-in kiosk technology provides staff the ability to come out from behind the desk and provide an even more personable experience to the guest. Staff can engage the guest while they are checking in or even check in for them, just like behind the desk. It opens up many possibilities and enables luxury properties to address each guest uniquely.  

Of course, amenities are crucial to a luxury property, and in-room tablets and mobile apps help guide guests through the many offerings available at the touch of a finger. Additionally, companies like MapsPeople provide mapping innovations that can not only help guests find their way at a larger luxury property but also steer them past specific areas of possible interest. In this way, luxury properties and full-service properties are very similar.  

It’s all in the delivery 

You may be asking yourself why the split of the three categories when almost the same technology can be deployed at each. It’s not necessarily about which technology is being used but how. Select-service properties may firmly direct guests to mobile check-in to deal with the lack of staff, while luxury properties may gently nudge guests towards it as a way to enhance their stay. It’s all in the messaging. Similar hospitality technology can be implemented by every type of property to provide a competitive advantage and enhance guest stays. It’s all in the delivery.  

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Property technology is innovative yet fragmented

Property technology broadly and hospitality technology more specifically have a lot of moving parts. You can’t just download a few windows applications and be up and running your property. The three basic building blocks of a hotel’s tech stack are PMS (property management system), locks (assuming they are electronic), and payment provider. The PMS market, for one, is very fragmented. The biggest player has only a 6.3% share of hotels by property and 16% share of rooms globally (Skift). New cloud-based companies are joining the fray all the time, providing hoteliers with ever more choices and improved features.

When it comes to locks and payment providers, there isn’t exactly a dearth in options, either. Online locks with Bluetooth and RFID are revolutionizing the industry and enabling smooth guest experiences and easier management. Payment options, as we see in any consumer-facing industry, is the lifeblood of any business. Guests and customers want to pay in their preferred manner.

Beyond the basic three necessities, there are optional offerings that aim to customize the guest experience. These include customer relationship management software (like Cendyn), custom mapping software (like MapsPeople), and guest services software (like Crave). The benefit of all these software companies inventing new and creative ways to engage guests is that properties have options to increase revenue, drive guest satisfaction, and relieve staffing pressures in ways that were unheard of a few years ago.

How do you bring it all together?

There isn’t a single company that provides all of the technologies listed above. They have to be sourced individually and then incorporated into each property’s system. Of course, guests don’t care about the work needed to get it to work. They just want an enjoyable experience without any hiccups. With so much technology, you have to be able to pull it all together. That is where front-of-house hubs come into play, enabling the coexistence of all these technologies and to guarantee that the end goal, a better guest experience, is reached.

Yes, some lock and PMS companies provide remote check-in and/or mobile key technology in addition to their base products and services. There are still many other technologies left to be consolidated. A single app that can integrate with the PMS while providing a mobile key, enabling guest communications, and serving up a customized map of the property is the key to herding the technological cats. Imagine having to asks guests to download three or more apps in order to access everything that your property offers.

What about building it yourself?

Remember the example of Apple and its Samsung-sourced OLED screens? Yes, some large hotel brands build and manage their own apps. With enough resources, this can definitely be accomplished. What many even large companies fail to realize until later is that the regular maintenance of these apps let alone the continued evolution and integration of new features can result in high costs and can get deprioritized if the company is facing budget cuts. By outsourcing this type of work, you enjoy customized software that remains up to date and the ability to relatively easily change providers.

In closing, if you’re a hotel, multifamily property, or any other property looking to enhance your tenant- and guest-facing technology, look to hubs that can pull everything together for you. They will have the ability to scale in the future to include new technologies and will allow you to better concentrate on your core competencies while still enhancing the experience of being at your property.

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Residents are coming to expect high-tech features. Depending on the level of the property, features like automated mail delivery smart appliances are expected. Companies like Luxer One are rethinking how the simple delivery of mail works for multifamily situations. Allowing for secure package deliveries and even refrigeration for grocery deliveries, smart lockers help put tenants’ minds at ease when they are not home. Similarly, being able to remotely start a load of laundry or pre-heat the oven are functionalities that will set residences apart from one another. Of course, vacation rentals aren’t immune from this trend. A smart thermostat and alarm system should be par for the course for any multifamily and vacation property. Not only do those features add value for tenants and guests, they help reduce costs by allowing building managers to remotely change the temperature and monitor for break-ins.  

Smart locks continue to evolve, even becoming small enough to just replace the deadbolt in your house (see the Level Bolt). They have become commonplace in hotels and common areas of apartment complexes and student housing. However, they are expanding even to the individual units of those buildings. People lose their keys a lot, and it can be expensive to replace them. MIT charges $30 for the first offense. If a lock needs to be replaced, a $150 fee is charged. Smart locks, whether code- or card-based, can be recoded in minutes. Temporary key cards can be issued on the spot, and the old key cards become obsolete. Many modern locks support mobile keys on cell phones, meaning a replacement key can be issued straight to the resident’s phone, avoiding unnecessary trips to building’s reception desk. When it comes to vacation rentals, placing a key under a doormat (still all too common) is asking for trouble, and meeting the tenant at the door puts a strain on both the owner and tenant.  

Virtual concierges, like the Virdee’s Virtual Reception, help put access to many of these smart features at tenants’ and guests’ fingertips by consolidating access within one app. Unlocking the mailbox, pre-heating the oven, and setting the temperature can all be done from one location instead of requiring multiple apps. When it comes to access control, tenants can add guests and even control what days of the week and times of the day the mobile key for service providers like cleaning services is enabled. Vacation rental owners can issue keys, provide instructions, and even have secure calls without disclosing their personal phone number. Just like hotel check in kiosks, a kiosk in the lobby can provide key cards in the case of a lockout or for guests or service personnel.  

How does this all help with staffing issues? Let’s look at the example of providing a temporary key in the case of a lockout. Even with key cards instead of metal keys, someone needs to be available to encode the key. However, with the help of a virtual concierge app, a replacement key can be provided straight to the phone following some security questions. As mentioned above, a kiosk can also be used to place a support call to a remote employee and provide a temporary key card. In the case of the automated mailboxes, no one has to be present to receive packages.  

We’re going to see the technology differences among hospitality, multifamily, student housing, and vacation rentals blur more and more. While hotels have been leading the way with technology and guest experience, other industries are beginning to adopt them as well and are seeing the benefits not only in cost reduction but also in providing a higher-end experience. As adoption increases and prices come down, even individual vacation rental units will begin to take advantage of the technology more and more. Don’t be surprised if you don’t have to look under the doormat during your next Airbnb stay.  

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I see ads daily for various types of AI-driven content-creation. They claim to write quality content in seconds. The problem is that this content isn’t coming from me. It’s from a machine. It takes a few inputs and creates a story based on information from the internet. It’s not based on my experience, thoughts, or expertise. You may want to point out that PR agencies ghost write all the time. I’m sure few CEOs actually pen what they post. Those PR agencies write based on interviews with that CEO. They are intimately familiar with that person’s experience, thoughts, and expertise, so the content that’s created is authentic.

This is where the ethics of using AI-written content comes into play. Posting such content as your own is unethical at best. A potential client may pick a company based in part on thought leadership articles, impressed by the apparent experience of its leadership. It won’t be until later that the client finds out that the results don’t match their expectations. Some may be tempted to take AI-written content and reword it, but we all remember learning about plagiarism in school, right? Rewording doesn’t make it your own. At the very least, from an SEO perspective, Google also acknowledges that AI-generated content is against guidelines and can take action against such content. AI is already being used to sniff out AI, and don’t be surprised if Google widely implements something similar.  

Of course, tools like ChatGPT have their benefits. Writer’s block is real. The best of us need some inspiration, especially when faced with the requirement for a regular content cadence. AI can help provide ideas, figure out how to word that one tricky sentence. Who knows what else we’ll be able to use AI for in the future. Writing my college papers, Wikipedia was a huge help because looking up the sources listed in an entry was faster than slogging through the school library. AI may be able to help us find sources we are looking for faster than ever before and help create even better unique and informed content.

We’re living in an exciting time. Technology is allowing us to create content like never before. What used to require a film crew is now done by someone with an iPhone. AI will have a profound impact on content creation and marketing as a whole. In the end, a bunch of machine-written articles won’t add any value, especially not to clients. The challenge will be how individuals rise to the occasion and ethically leverage these new tools.

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Good

Location number one had four kiosks positioned to the right of the front-desk area. While it can’t be seen in this picture, the front desk is in a separate room to the left. Traffic naturally flows towards the front desk and not past the kiosks. That normally wouldn’t be a big problem, but the challenge is that the kiosks cannot be seen from the front desk, meaning guests who are standing in a long check-in line are not going to be enticed to save time and check in at the kiosk.

Better

Location number two improved on the first by positioning the kiosks right next to the front desk. There is a larger sign overhead calling out “Express Registration.” The choice of wording here is great as it stresses that this is “express.” It’s faster than standing in line. Everyone wants to get going with their stay, and branding the self-check-in area accordingly will entice guests to try it. Once that momentum gets going, it will be self-perpetuating. In fact, while I was standing there, a guest pulled her friend out of line after stating that she had already checked them in at the kiosk. That’s a positive guest experience right there.

Best

Location number three is truly impressive. Not only is it positioned in proximity to the front desk, but it is also built to resemble a self-check-in front desk. There are six kiosks in total (four on the counter and two floor-standing), leaving enough capacity to avoid long lines. While not as ideal as the “Express Registration” callout from the second location, “Mobile Check-In” is clearly visible from every side, making it easy for guests to find. It will be hard for even the most tech-averse guests to not be drawn to self-check-in if they are standing in a long line for the front desk.

A note on signage

Of course, it will not be possible for every property to build a custom area for its check-in kiosks. Every property can, though, make the best use of signage. From the examples above, a hybrid of locations two and three would be optimal. Location two has great branding with the use of the word “express.” Location three has illuminated signage visible from all sides of the lobby. Combining the two makes for the best visibility and the most attractive message.  

Location is not the only thing to think about when installing check-in kiosks. There are other crucial aspects to think about, like your staff’s embrace of the technology and their willingness to direct guests to the mobile check-in area… But we’ll cover that in another blog post. For now, think about where you can position your kiosks and design some catchy signs.

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AUSTIN, Texas – December 15 – Virdee, which delivers digital check-in and virtual concierge services to the lodging industry, has announced an integration to Cloudbeds, an all-in-one lodging operations platform, that will provide hoteliers and hosts with an efficient end-to-end solution for providing contactless guest experiences. Virdee will be available as a new partner in Cloudbeds’ Marketplace.

The Virdee Virtual Reception provides a fully contactless check-in experience, empowering 100% of hotel guests to check-in either via mobile device or kiosk, receive a digital or physical key and head straight to their guestroom without ever standing in line at the front desk. These contactless features complement Cloudbeds’ suite of industry-leading operational tools, such as Property Management, Channel Management, Booking Engine and Payment solutions.

The partnership empowers hoteliers to manage their properties and the guest experience through well integrated technology. User-friendly mobile applications from both Cloudbeds and Virdee automate tasks and free up staff to focus on providing more value to the guest throughout their stay—especially important amid today’s labor challenges and scarce resources.

“The integration and partnership with Cloudbeds means Virdee is now available to a much wider number of lodging providers, from independent hotels to bed and breakfasts of all sizes,” said Virdee Co-Founder Nadav Cornberg. “In turn, more travelers can expect better experiences along their guest journey, including personalized offers, an improved welcome experience and digital room access.”

“Today’s travelers are looking for seamless, digital experiences, and both Cloudbeds and Virdee are dedicated to improving the entire end-to-end interaction between guests and their hosts,” said Sébastien Leitner, VP Partnerships at Cloudbeds. “This integration will allow us to continue creating more meaningful travel experiences for thousands of Cloudbeds customers throughout the globe, helping them grow revenue, streamline operations and enable memorable guest experiences.”

About Virdee
Virdee is a technology company providing best-in-class virtual reception and user interaction software for clients and their tenants, guests, and other stakeholders. Virdee helps building owners reduce costs and generate ancillary revenue by automating front-of-house workflows via its mobile application and in lobby experiences. Using an API-first approach, Virdee connects platforms for identity verification, payment collection, access control and remote assistance while serving customers in lodging, multifamily and commercial real estate industries. Visit www.virdee.io to learn more.

About Cloudbeds
Cloudbeds provides the platform that powers hospitality, driving streamlined operations, increasing reservations and revenue, and enabling memorable guest experiences for lodging businesses of all sizes and types across the globe. The award-winning Cloudbeds Hospitality Platform seamlessly combines solutions for front desk, revenue, distribution, guest acquisition, and guest engagement in a single unified system, enhanced by a marketplace of third-party integrations. Cloudbeds was named No. 1 PMS and No. 1 Hotel Management System by Hotel Tech Report in 2022 and recognized by Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 in 2021. For more information, visit www.cloudbeds.com.

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As a hotelier, keeping a pulse on the latest industry trends is crucial. In a highly competitive and fast-moving sector, staying ahead of the curve is key, particularly when meeting guests’ new and evolving expectations. With 93% of travelers agreeing that a hotel stay can make or break a trip, tapping into guest needs and demands is essential.

2022 was a whirlwind year for the hotel industry. There was a stronger-than-expected rebound for demand across the year; we learned that guests are increasingly favoring digital service encounters over face-to-face interactions, and technological advances continued to play a significant role in the evolution of the hotel industry.

In 2023, hotel daily room demand is headed to an all-time high – with this in mind, hoteliers must tap into the latest trends to ensure they stay ahead.

Here are the top five hotel trends to watch over the next 12 months.

1. Digital hotel experiences

Technology offers hoteliers an opportunity to hyper-personalize stays – and with 86% of travelers looking for personalization during their 2023 travel experiences and interactions, we should expect to see an increase in digital hotel experiences moving forward.

For example, 3D room tours and interactive hotel maps may lead the beginning of the guest journey, enabling guests to choose the right room and explore a hotel before booking. Virtual concierge services will become more commonplace, allowing guests to personalize their stay with additional requests, services, and amenities without visiting the front desk or leaving their room.

An increase in voice-activated rooms will enable guests to personalize their stay further through simple voice commands – for example, adjusting the lighting, setting the room temperature, or requesting a morning alarm.

2. Mobile check-in and virtual reception

2022 saw a huge employment crisis in the hotel industry, with a startling 87% of hotels reporting staffing shortages. Moving into 2023, we’ll continue to see the replacement of human-driven interactions throughout the guest journey, with more hotel automating tasks where possible. Rather than having someone manually check in guests, handle requests and extend stays, the key will lie in automation. The digitalization of check-in will free up staff time and resources to focus on other aspects of the guest journey.

Investment in mobile check-in technologies will continue to be essential as hotels work to tackle the employment crisis – and as guests increasingly come to expect a seamless check-in experience too. Hotels will continue implementing smarter and more efficient operations, with digital check-in at the forefront of the guest experience.

3. Digital identity verification

As the shift to a fully contactless hotel experience continues, digital identity verification will also become more commonplace. Rather than standing in line and handing over a physical ID card to a receptionist, guests can easily verify their identity on their mobile device – like authenticating a Uber profile or verifying someone on Airbnb.

This shift will not only benefit the guest experience but also provide an additional layer of security for hoteliers, helping to protect against fraudulent activity and unwelcome chargebacks.

4. Mobile wallets and digital payments

As the concept of a cashless society continues to drive forward, more guests will expect to use mobile wallets and one-tap digital payments to make purchases throughout their hotel stays. Hotels must start facilitating mobile payments to stay ahead of the curve and keep up with the competition. These one-click experiences will fuel a smoother, frictionless guest journey.

Digital wallets will likely become more widely used and accepted, enabling guests and travelers to store their credit cards, hotel keys, loyalty cards, and vouchers all in one place on their mobile devices.

5. Future of hotel apps

Over the next year, we predict an acceleration in the advancement of hotel apps and the offerings available to guests. Apps will evolve to address 100% of guests’ needs, extending beyond check-in and check-out to allow guests to personalize their stay from their own devices. Requests and actions that previously required a trip to the front desk have the ability to be controlled from a centralized platform in guests’ mobile phones – such as extending check-out, ordering room service, or requesting more towels.

Virdee: a virtual reception for your guests

At Virdee, we provide hotels with the best-in-class, guest-facing hotel technology. Our mission is to provide seamless interactions, improve hotel efficiencies, and help hoteliers save money with our fully mobile virtual reception. We’re proud to be the leading all-in-one guest experience solution, providing hotels with an unparalleled in-lobby experience that covers all check-in needs, including physical key cards, ID check, room upgrades, and remote assistance.

To learn more about our all-in-one mobile and web app, visit https://virdee.io/.

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