Mobile Messaging: The New Way to Communicate with Guests
The pathways of communication between businesses and consumers have changed a lot in recent years. It wasn’t really that long ago when our only options for contacting a business were by phone, post or by physically popping in. Nowadays, in addition to these traditional methods of communication, most businesses also engage with customers via email […]
6 Reasons Every Independent Hotel Should Operate in the Cloud
Cloud hospitality technology is changing the game for independent hotels by putting the kind of technology previously reserved for the big brands (and their big budgets) into the hands of operators of small- and mid-sized lodgings. Independent properties now have access to automated and innovative tools that streamline daily operations, provide deeper insights, and improve […]
What an All-in-One PMS Means for Lodgings that offer Activities
Lodgings that offer scheduled activities operate with an added layer of complexity; inventory, bookings, invoicing and reporting must be managed and tracked for both sides of the business. Running separate systems, however, is time consuming and prone to error as a result of manually cross-checking data. Managing a stay-and play business with disconnected systems is […]
Is Your Property’s Online Booking Engine Mobile Friendly?
Market research company eMarketer predicts that this year more than half (51.8%) of travelers who book accommodations and airfare online will do so using a mobile device. That’s up from 43.8% last year.Improved technology and user experience as well as increasingly tech-dependant consumer behavior (think Millennials) contribute to the growing trust in mobile commerce. It’s […]
Family Travel is on the Rise! Kid-Friendly Ideas for Hoteliers
You may have noticed that family and multi-generational travel is featured on many travel trend lists for the year ahead (like this one from Condé Nast Traveler, and this one from Virtuoso®). Family travel is on the rise — perhaps that’s partly because the world is becoming more accessible and many extended families find themselves […]
6 Social Media Recommendations for Independent Hoteliers in 2016
Seventy-six percent of travelers post vacation photos to social networks, and 52 percent of Facebook users say friends’ photos inspire their travel plans. With social media playing such a big role in inspiring travelers and sharing experiences, a strong social media presence and strategy is more important than ever for lodging operators. Whether you’re new […]
Hotel Website Design Trends for 2016
For lodging operators who are thinking about sprucing up their property’s website in the year ahead, here are some important current and emerging website trends that are particularly relevant to hospitality and tourism businesses. Each trend highlighted below helps to tell a hotel’s story — which, due to travelers’ desire for unique experiences and personalization, […]
Dowds’ Country Inn & Event Center
Dowds’ Country Inn & Event Center is located in a beautiful 1780s home in the heart of Lyme, New Hampshire. This family-owned inn offers a 20-room bed and breakfast, as well as an event venue for weddings, holiday parties, conferences and more. Every morning a full country breakfast is served to guests and tea and scones […]
The Power of Post-Stay Emails: Top Tips for Independent Hoteliers
Nowadays, most lodging operators send confirmation emails to customers upon booking. Many properties also capitalize on their customers’ growing anticipation of their stay by sending pre-arrival emails… But how about after the guest checks out? As a lodging operator, are you sending post-stay emails to your guests? Many of our WebRezPro customers have found that […]
Rosemont Suites
Located in Norwich, Connecticut, Rosemont Suites is just north of Mystic and a short drive from Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods and MGM Grand casinos. This hotel offers 23 spacious efficiency suites with kitchenettes and free WiFi, and some suites are pet-friendly. Rosemont Suites started using our cloud-based WebRezPro Property Management System this past autumn, and has recently implemented WebRezPro’s […]
2016 Online Marketing Checklist for Independent Hoteliers
The holiday rush is almost upon us, so now’s a good time to get a head start on strategizing for success in the New Year — after all, 2016 is just around the corner! With US adults spending an average of six hours a day on digital media, your digital marketing strategy is one thing […]
5 Ways to Turn OTA Lookers into Direct Bookers
There’s no denying that OTAs pack a powerful punch when it comes to online bookings. OTAs like Booking.com and Expedia have a potent arsenal of cutting-edge technology and massive marketing budgets behind their very successful distribution strategies; they boast online omnipresence with global consumer reach and seamless online bookings. While lodging operators understandably begrudge OTA […]
The Waddell Hotel
The Waddell Hotel is nestled on the banks of the Ganaraska River in Port Hope, Ontario. This beautifully restored historic hotel offers tastefully furnished guest rooms including some with fireplaces. The Waddell Hotel has just started using our cloud-based WebRezPro Property Management System to help with their day-to-day operations. Check out their website to see how they’re using […]
A Smile Will Never Be Obsolete: How to Maximize Positive Employee-Guest Interactions
The 2015 J.D. Power North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study revealed that guest satisfaction reached a record high, driven by a significant drop in the number of guests who experienced a problem during their stay. The study found that staff interactions with guests have a huge impact on mitigating problems; there is a 50 […]
Customer Spotlight: Smithfield Station
We recently completed a WebRezPro case study about Smithfield Station — a landmark waterfront inn, restaurant and marina that boasts a picturesque setting on the banks of the Pagan River in historic Smithfield, Virginia. The 44-room property has a lot going for it: Virginia’s only lighthouse accommodations, an award-winning restaurant right on the water, and […]
Boost Revenue with Hotel Gift Certificates
Gift certificates (or gift vouchers or gift cards) are a very popular option when it comes to gift giving. To many people, a gift certificate is the ideal gift, allowing the recipient to choose what to spend it on and/or when. Hotel gift certificates hold a prepaid amount (or customer credit) for future use at […]
How a Cloud Property Management System Can Help Your Hotel Stand Out
Battling inefficient hotel management systems and processes takes time and focus away from guest service. Without the right technology, your property could stand out for all the wrong reasons — like long check-in lines, generic service and archaic amenities — or, at best, be just another run-of-the-mill hotel. To be something special and stand out […]
Falcon Trails Resort
Falcon Trails Resort is located in Falcon Lake, Manitoba, and offers 18 cabins and suites on the shores of Falcon and High Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park. Some of the cabins have private hot tubs, while others have docks with canoe usage! This property started using our cloud-based WebRezPro Property Management System this past winter and has […]
How Hotels Can Make the Most of User-Generated Content
Thanks to the mobile web and social media, travelers are sharing their travel experiences more than ever; in fact, one recent study found that 97 percent of Millennials post to social media while traveling. That user-generated content (UGC) — the photos, tweets, posts and reviews travelers share on social media, review websites and blogs — […]
Yellowstone River Inn
The Yellowstone River Inn is located in Glendive, Montana, and is just a short drive from Makoshika State Park. This dog-friendly motel offers comfortable guest rooms equipped with free WiFi, refrigerators and microwaves. The Yellowstone River Inn started using our cloud-based WebRezPro Property Management System to help with their daily operations this past spring, and has recently started […]
Futuristic Hotel Technology That’s Here Now
Technology is progressing at a rapid pace; in the hospitality industry, big hotel chains like Starwood are currently testing some space-age gadgetry that could come straight from a sci-fi movie. You probably wouldn’t guess that visiting a hotel chain’s headquarters would be like getting a peek into Batman’s Batcave, but that’s kind of what it […]
The Lowdown on Upselling: Good for Your Hotel, Good for Your Guests
From airlines to fast food restaurants, all kinds of businesses use upselling and cross-selling to enhance the customer experience and maximize revenue on existing sales. We’re talking about airlines offering seat upgrades and wine to enhance a flight, or the McDonald’s® server asking, “Do you want fries with that?” While not all upselling efforts are […]
Waterview on the Bay
Waterview on the Bay is a waterfront accommodation in Wiarton, Ontario, on the shores of Georgian Bay, at the foot of the Bruce Peninsula. This unique resort is a family-friendly seasonal destination that offers a beachside deck, a swimming pool and nightly bonfires. Accommodation is provided in 26 motel rooms and two- and three-bedroom cottages. Waterview on […]
Hoteliers Reveal Top Real-World Benefits of Hotel Management Systems
Today’s era of rapid innovation in hospitality technology can make shopping for hotel management software (HMS) a little overwhelming. Cloud technology has allowed us to take process automation and service personalization to the next level, but while the possibilities are exciting, many independent hoteliers are first and foremost simply looking at ways to speed up […]