5 ways to save time as an independent hotelier

This predicament leaves you juggling various roles, detracting from your ability to deliver the unparalleled guest experience you desire and deliver revenue growth. However, there's a straightforward answer: user-friendly and cost-effective tech solutions tailored specifically for independent hotels.

In this article, we'll show how the right software can streamline your routine tasks, saving you hours each week and allowing you to focus on what truly matters

1. Streamline operational tasks with a Property Management System

A Property Management System (PMS) is the operational core of your hotel. It offers a complete overview of both front and back office operations and simplifies day-to-day operations - combining speed, efficiency, and simplicity to streamline hotel management.

A modern PMS easily integrates with other tech systems and by automating repetitive tasks it should liberate you from the confines of the front desk, granting you freedom to focus on enhancing guest experiences and driving hotel revenue.

The tasks that it can take off your hands include the management of reservations, guest check-ins and check-outs, client communications, financial transactions, housekeeping schedules, reporting, and more.

By centralizing data and providing easy access to key reports, a PMS enables more effective strategic decision-making. Most modern PMS operate on cloud-based systems, offering:

• Accessibility from any internet-connected device

• Flexibility to manage your property from anywhere, at any time

• Increased convenience for you and your staff

A PMS essentially functions as the digital nerve center of your hotel, and with the right one you will enhance both efficiency and productivity.

We mentioned that a PMS can integrate with various other platforms essential for independent hoteliers. Let's explore one of these key systems, the channel manager.

2. Optimize distribution with a market-leading channel manager

A channel manager is an indispensable tool for promoting and selling your rooms online. It centralizes the management of prices and availability across all your distribution channels.

Channel managers use dynamic updating two way API integrations to connect with your online travel agency (OTA) listings, third-party platforms, and your own website. They push pricing, promotions, availability, and channel restrictions to your channels in real-time.

This simplifies your property's pricing and distribution strategy while ensuring the most accurate and up-to-date rates are displayed everywhere.

One of the key benefits of automation through channel management software is its ability to prevent overbooking or double bookings. The software adjusts the availability of your rooms across all channels in real-time as bookings are made. This eliminates the risk of overbooking, reducing your time spent managing room availability.

Using Channel Manager by Lighthouse eliminates the need to update each distribution channel individually. This saves you substantial time and ensures consistency across all platforms.

Traditionally, independent hoteliers have relied on separate tools for pricing, promotions, and channel management. These disconnected systems often lack integration and require manual monitoring, which can be time-consuming and inefficient.

However, modern solutions offer a more streamlined approach. By connecting a pricing recommendation tool with your channel manager, you can automate your pricing strategy across all of your channels. This integration:

• Generates AI-driven rate recommendations based on real-time market demand and current occupancy

• Automatically sends optimized rates to your preferred OTAs and other channels

• Allows you to make informed pricing decisions for each channel, with just a few clicks.

3. Automate dynamic room pricing

You may often find yourself up late into the night asking, “How can I increase my hotel’s revenue and gain an edge over my competitors with the limited resources at my disposal?” Well, no need for more sleepless nights as pricing recommendation tools are here to help.

When you take into account the numerous variables and the necessary analysis, manually determining precise, real-time room rates for your property is complex and time-consuming.

But, with a pricing recommendation tool in place, you can effortlessly automate a dynamic pricing strategy at your hotel in a user-friendly interface. This means room rates aren’t fixed but adjusted based on market demand, competition, time of booking, customer behavior, occupancy, and other factors that can influence booking patterns.

You are provided with tailored room price recommendations (sometimes up to a year in advance) based on real-time data sets, so your property’s rates are always fully optimized.

With a pricing recommendation tool such as Pricing Manager automatically finding the right price at the right time for each room, you can be sure that your revenue and profits are both growing, without having to compromise other areas of your business.

You can take time back in your day to do what you do best, delight your guests - safe in the knowledge that your rooms are priced right for months ahead.

4. Simplify your approach to guest payments

Incorporating a Payment Service Provider (PSP) like Mollie or Stripe into your hotel's operations can markedly expedite the check-in and check-out processes, enhancing the overall guest experience and boosting operational efficiency.

When a PSP is integrated with your booking engine, payments become effortless and straightforward. Guests can conveniently pay in advance or securely pre-authorize their payment details, which are automatically verified and stored prior to their arrival.

This not only minimizes no-shows but also ensures a smooth collection of payments throughout the guest's journey, from booking to departure. You can even incorporate payment links in confirmation or reminder emails, facilitating guests to complete transactions well in advance.

The processing of Virtual Credit Cards (VCC) via OTAs becomes a breeze, ensuring prompt and secure payments from third-party bookings. By eliminating the need for manual payment verification or requests at check-in or check-out, you foster a seamless experience that heightens guest satisfaction and reduces administrative tasks. Consequently, your staff can concentrate on delivering exceptional service.

5. Automate communication with your guests

Automating guest communications is a game-changer for independent hoteliers, it dramatically slashes the time spent on routine correspondence and allows you to tend to other aspects of your business.

Guest communication is a vital component of managing a property and each reservation involves several pre-arrival, during-stay, and post-departure emails. These may include confirmations, reminders, practical information, upsell messages, review invitations, and newsletters.

You can immediately improve your guest’s experience by sending the right messages in advance of their stay. This proactive mindset should also lead to more revenue for your business, with the opportunity to upsell.

A PMS with email features can accelerate this process. You can create personalized email templates and schedule them to be sent out automatically at the right time. This ensures consistent communication with your guests and frees up your time.

For a more modern approach, consider guest communication solutions that offer real-time interaction across channels like SMS or WhatsApp.

One of the most powerful communication tools at your disposal is a well-designed, easy-to-navigate website that offers a straightforward direct booking process.

This can significantly reduce the volume of phone calls and emails to your property. To further streamline communication and save time, consider implementing a chatbot, such as Quicktext.

A chatbot can answer frequently asked questions 24/7, reducing the need for manual responses and ensuring guests receive timely information. This not only enhances the guest experience with rapid responses but also minimizes your workload.

Optimize your hotel operations and start saving time today

For small hotel owners with limited time and resources to perform manual rate analysis and individually manage distribution channels, the combination of a pricing recommendation tool and channel manager represent a turning point for both efficiency and business performance.

The key benefits of these solutions together include:

• Save hours each week by eliminating labor-intensive tasks

• Increase room revenue with real-time, accurate pricing across all channels

• Reclaim time to focus on guests and drive revenue growth.

Here's how Lighthouse can help:

Pricing Manager: Maximize bookings and revenue with automated dynamic room rates. It displays priority opportunities and AI-driven price recommendations, optimizing daily pricing for up to a year in advance.

Channel Manager: Works alongside Pricing Manager to automatically push AI-driven rate recommendations to your connected distribution channels year-round. It also suggests automation based on real-time market demand, competitor pricing, and your current occupancy rates.

By implementing these solutions, you can streamline your operations, boost revenue, and dedicate more time to enhancing guest experiences.

Want to know more about the time-saving solutions we offer? Get in touch today.