Check-in kiosks in hotel. Image: Czech Kiosk.
The most common 3 hotel check-in practices now
In different hotels, the integration of technology has been an indispensable part, and it has helped hotels quicken the process of checking in for guests. However, some hotels have not implemented this technological scheme and still maintained the traditional methods. These are two main standard check-in practices in hotels, with distinct differences in the hotels that utilize technology and those that do not.
1. Contactless hotel check-in
To find out more about check-in terminals in Marriott hotels in China, click here.
Technology has been an integral part of hotel check-in practices, and hotels can bolster its importance with the assistance of contactless check-in. Checking in using technology can guarantee the security and the validity of the guests’ documents and personal information. The documents can be securely checked and scanned, in which hotels can avoid the risks of fraudulent activities.
Furthermore, contactless check-in has more extensive information storage. Therefore, it plays an immense asset to hotels since it could be utilized as a marketing tool for guests, serving exclusive deals and enhancing their experience. Some related amenities regarding contactless check-in include a secure key pin code, flexible check-in time, and limited contact with the receptionists (especially in this pandemic time).
Technological integration in hotels in The Grand Residence Hotel Tenjin, Fukuoka / Hokkaido, Japan. See more on our site here.
To proceed to verification and money transfer, the guests can use facial recognition. Facial recognition technology has also proven to save time for several hotels, as shown from the instance of Marriott International and InterContinental Hotels in China. In Vietnam, AI check-in has also demonstrated its most delicate presence in VinPearl.
With this cutting-edge machine, the guests can enjoy numerous facilities (such as visiting amusement parks, checking in rooms, and going to restaurants). This machine can recognize thousands of different faces, and it could ensure security and privacy to the guests during their stay. Furthermore, the use of technology can boost the marketing strategies to the targeted customers. Some hotels manage the database and filter out the frequent customers to give them further discounts in their hotels.
The pioneering AI machines to manage the check-in process at VinPearl Nha Trang (Vietnam).
2. Traditional hotel check-in
Traditional hotel check-in might take a lot of time for both guests and receptionists. Source: image.
For those hotels that have not followed an upgrade on the technological gadgets, the traditional style of checking in regarding some hotels is still somewhat relevant. The guests are required to give information and register to the hotel through a guestbook. The guests will provide a registration card, driver’s license, or identity card and sign the documents on paper, and the hotels will copy and keep the records. This practice is still common in small hostels and smaller vacation rentals.
Especially, at the end of the stay, guests can rate their experience in a guestbook. With paper guestbooks, the sentiments still linger on the pages. The guests are no longer divided by technological devices with tedious black letters typed on a white screen. The human interaction through handwriting on the paper will surpass the experience that online reviews cannot offer.
Some examples of guest books where vacationers reflect their experience in a hotel.
However, regarding the paperwork process, this practice is not the optimal solution in this day and age. The traditional method is not secure since when registering for the hotel guestbook and handing in documents. The guests could provide fake identity cards, making it difficult for hotels to check the validity of the papers. Besides, keeping the paperwork would be frustrating. This is because handling all the data, storing the documents, and searching the guests’ names could be quite a hassle.
Lastly, this traditional check-in method would take plenty of time, especially the peak hour when checking in and registering the documents for hoards of tourists. However, installing such machines would be prohibitive since some small hotels might perceive implementing devices would be redundant.
3. Mixed methods
Some hotels are more flexible – instead of technology-driven or completely technology-absent; some hotels adopted a combination of these two methods. For example, the hotels could confirm, and the customers would do the pre-check-in via email. However, when coming to the reception desk, the guests will do a facial scan or QR code scan. Besides, having both options entirely open for hotels is a great way to attract diverse types of guests.
Standard check-in for older people without the use of technology. Source: image.
For instance, while technology is more of a thrill to the young demographic, the older people who are not familiar with these technological gadgets might find it difficult. Eurostats revealed that tourists over 65 accounted for 25% of tourism nights for private purposes spent by EU residents in 2019. Meanwhile, people aged 55+ took up 41%. Therefore, hotels should be more inclusive to all age groups instead of focusing entirely on technology.
In conclusion, technology is playing a major role in managing hotel check-in processes. While some hotels still operate on the traditional paperwork, the prospects of adopting technology and AI are highly feasible in the near future.
Written by AirHost Marketing Team.