If you’ve ever wondered how your hotel’s operations could be smoother, faster and more efficient, you’ll enjoy the latest episode of Mews Coffee Corner. We sat down with Maurits Bots from WestCord Hotels and Luka Berger from Flexkeeping to explore how automation is transforming hospitality. Watch the full episode here, or keep reading for some sippable takeaways. ☕
Automation drives efficiency and elevates guest experiences
Hospitality is a business built on creating unforgettable guest experiences. Yet behind the scenes, outdated processes and manual tasks can often take valuable time and energy away from staff. That’s where automation comes in. Beyond making operations more efficient, it empowers teams to deliver the best possible guest experience.
WestCord Hotels, a family-owned Dutch chain with 15 independently managed properties, offers a great example of how automation drives success. Each hotel is unique – from the eco-luxe Hotel Jakarta in Amsterdam to the iconic SS Rotterdam, a former cruise liner. Despite their differences, every property shares a commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences powered by the latest technology.
Maurits, ICT specialist at WestCord, knows firsthand the challenges of managing legacy systems and siloed processes. With 25-30 disconnected tools in use at one point, inefficiencies were unavoidable. Take housekeeping, for example. It’s one of the hardest-working departments in any hotel, yet it’s often burdened by inefficiencies like printed task lists and constant back-and-forth communication.
Since transitioning to Mews as their central PMS, WestCord has embraced a unified tech ecosystem, integrating tools like Flexkeeping to simplify operations across all properties. Flexkeeping changes the game by streamlining these tasks, boosting team productivity, and ultimately ensuring that guests enjoy seamless stays.
The results speak for themselves. At Hotel Jakarta, automation enabled a 70% increase in getting rooms ready by 3 PM. There has also been a 90% reduction in interdepartmental calls across all properties and the ROI tripled in the first year of the partnership.
So, who benefits the most from automation?
The short answer is everyone. But since we’ve already typed out a long answer:
Guests: Flexkeeping ensures that housekeeping tasks are completed efficiently, minimizing delays and enhancing the guest experience. In high-occupancy destinations like Amsterdam, where travelers often arrive after long journeys, having a room ready on time makes all the difference for WestCord Hotels.
Staff: Automation eliminates time-consuming paperwork and reduces errors, like mix-ups with room numbers. It gives housekeeping teams clear, real-time instructions so they can start their day with confidence and focus on what matters most.
Hoteliers: Flexkeeping offers powerful insights into operational performance. By analyzing data like cleaning times for specific room types, managers can make informed decisions rather than relying on assumptions.
A well-built ecosystem invites innovation
Automation isn’t just about improving individual processes; it’s about creating a connected ecosystem where every tool works seamlessly together. At WestCord Hotels, the philosophy is clear: by centralizing data and sharing solutions across properties, the entire chain benefits.
For example, a new tool introduced at one hotel often solves similar challenges at another. This snowball effect enables continuous learning and growth, ensuring that every property, regardless of its unique character, operates at its best.
Top tips for hoteliers
If there’s one – well, three – things to take away from this episode, it’s these tips.
- Prioritize guest experience: Automation helps ensure that rooms are ready on time and requests are fulfilled promptly, reducing friction during a guest’s stay.
- Support your staff: Tools like Flexkeeping empower teams by providing the right information at the right time, making their jobs easier and more rewarding.
- Leverage data: Stop relying on assumptions or lucky guesses. Use real-time data to make informed decisions that improve efficiency and drive profitability.
Why the future is bright with automation
Automation isn’t just a trend; it’s the future of hospitality. By integrating tools like Mews and Flexkeeping, hotels can achieve a perfect balance of operational efficiency, guest satisfaction and staff empowerment. Whether it’s enabling personalized service or ensuring you’re always right-staffed, automation will help you stay competitive in the new era of hospitality.
Ready to see the benefits for yourself? Check out the rest of Mews Coffee Corner episodes for more insights and inspiration.
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