Staffing is one of the biggest challenges hoteliers face today. Rising wages, a shrinking talent pool and the pressure to maintain profitability mean hotels need to do more with less.
But running leaner doesn’t have to mean cutting corners on service. With the right technology, you can automate repetitive tasks, free up your team’s time for meaningful guest interactions, and even create more satisfying roles for staff.
Here’s how Mews can help you run your hotel with fewer staff – and happier guests.
You should already be using AI
AI is no longer a future ambition; it’s a present-day advantage. The technology is moving fast, and many hotels are already seeing efficiency gains in guest communications, reservations and operations.
Mews is embedding AI across its platform to help hotels make smart, automated decisions. From revenue optimization (through Atomize, now part of Mews) to Smart Tips that give staff guest snapshots for more personal experiences, AI is cutting manual tasks that used to dominate teams’ time.
If you’re not experimenting with AI-powered tools now, you risk falling behind. The goal isn’t to replace human hospitality – it’s to free staff from admin so they can focus on delivering the kind of service guests remember.
Driving front office efficiency
The front office is often where staffing pressure is most visible. Queues build during peak check-in and check-out times, while staff sit idle during quieter periods. Mews helps smooth those peaks and troughs by giving guests the power to check in, check out and manage their stay on their own terms.
Online check-in and check-out
Mews automates pre-arrival and departure steps, from registration card completion to secure payment and upsells – all during online check-in and check-out. On arrival, hotels can offer Mews Digital Key which allows guests to go straight to their room without waiting at front desk for a keycard.
If you’d like to boost online check-in and upsell rates, you can try the Mews SMS Package. On average, 15% of guests will check in online with email prompts alone – but adding SMS reminders can push that figure up to 30%. That’s one in three guests skipping the front desk entirely.
Kiosks for flexible support
For guests who prefer an on-property experience, Mews Kiosk is the perfect complement to your reception. Hotels like Zedwell in London and Hey Lou in Germany have embraced kiosks as their primary check-in method, supported by roaming hosts with tablets.
Whether you use kiosks as your main check-in flow or a backup during busy times, they reduce lines, drive more upsell revenue than manual check-ins and can even be switched to staff mode so team members can check guests in from the queue.
Mobile-first, multipurpose roles
Because Mews is cloud-based and mobile-optimized, staff aren’t tied to a desk. Payments are embedded, so you don’t need bulky terminals. This means roles can evolve – a team member can greet guests, handle luggage, process payments or even help in the restaurant during breakfast rush. It’s a more interesting, flexible job for staff and a leaner, more efficient operation for you.
Read more about how job roles in hospitality are changing
Rethinking food and beverage operations
F&B has long been a staffing headache, especially for breakfast service. Mews makes it easier to automate the admin and focus on delivering great experiences.
Simplify breakfast service
Including breakfast in every rate may sound bold, but it removes the need for a host to check room numbers and creates a smoother guest experience. If that’s not right for your property, you can still streamline operations by offering grab-and-go options or pre-bookable breakfast upgrades via upsells in Mews Guest Portal.
Capture restaurant reservations
Integrated restaurant booking tools help you forecast demand and staff accordingly. Mews Marketplace connects with ResDiary and Zenchef, so guests can book tables at check-in or via pre-arrival emails. Third-party integrations like HiJiffy, Duve or Runnr.ai can push reservations via WhatsApp or SMS before guests even arrive, increasing F&B revenue and giving you a clearer view of staffing needs.
Speed up service and payments
The latest Mews Terminal S2, integrated with Mews POS, allow staff to take orders, process payments and encourage tipping from a single device. Add QR code ordering in lobbies, pool areas or gyms, and guests can order and pay directly from their phones. Staff only need to deliver drinks – no roaming for orders or checks required.
Smarter revenue and distribution management
Manual reservations management and rate-setting are two areas ripe for automation. Mews integrates with leading channel managers like SiteMinder, Cubilis and D-EDGE to ensure bookings flow in seamlessly – no more manual rate checks or data entry.
On the revenue side, Atomize RMS lets hotels move to automated, real-time pricing. Atomize adjusts rates 24/7 based on demand and competitor data, so you don’t lose revenue opportunities on weekends or holidays. Your revenue manager can focus on strategy (like testing upsell pricing for parking, early check-ins or spa packages), rather than crunching numbers.
Modern housekeeping for faster turnovers
Housekeeping is still labor-intensive, but technology can make it smarter and more connected to front-office operations.
The Mews housekeeping app gives staff real-time room status updates and notes for special requests. Integrations with specialists like Flexkeeping or Optii take it further, using AI to prioritize which rooms should be cleaned first – for example, preparing early-arrival rooms to avoid luggage storage queues.
You can even turn sustainability into efficiency. Through Hotels for Trees, guests can opt out of daily cleaning in exchange for a small donation to charity. It’s good for the planet, saves housekeeping time and cuts costs. Learn more about our partnership.
Guest communications powered by AI
Modern guests expect instant answers. They don’t want to call the front desk to ask about gym hours or breakfast times.
AI-powered tools like Runnr.ai (WhatsApp-focused) and HiJiffy (omnichannel) integrate with Mews to automate common guest queries across WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS and email. They can even handle bookings, payments and table reservations. Complex requests still route to staff, but AI manages the bulk of interactions, reducing pressure on central reservations teams.
Fewer staff, more opportunities
Running a hotel with fewer staff isn’t about cutting service – it’s about using technology to remove friction and give your team more fulfilling roles. Instead of repetitive check-ins or rate changes, staff can focus on meaningful interactions, upselling and creating memorable experiences.
The result? Higher profitability, happier staff and guests who feel cared for, not processed.
Technology isn’t replacing hospitality; it’s unlocking its full potential. And with Mews, you don’t have to wait years to see the impact. These tools are ready to deploy today.
Episode 36 of Matt Talks is all about How to run your hotel with fewer staff. Watch the episode here.
And don't forget to download our guide on 10 Ways to Manage Staff Shortages:
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