Innovating with pride: Mari Jean Hotel’s digital leap with Mews
This boutique LGBTQ+ property in the USA experienced a tech-powered makeover after partnering with Mews.
This boutique LGBTQ+ property in the USA experienced a tech-powered makeover after partnering with Mews.
17
parking spots managed through Mews Spaces
$73
average value added per reservation
25%
online check-in rate
Located in St. Petersburg, Florida, Mari Jean Hotel is a 54-room, adults-only boutique property that proudly serves the LGBTQ+ community. Known for its exceptional guest service, the hotel enjoys stellar TripAdvisor reviews and an impressive guest loyalty rate. Over 18% of visitors return, and 25% of those guests have stayed three or more times.
Seeking to elevate both operations and guest experiences, the team recognized the need to move beyond their outdated legacy system. Enter Mews, a solution that impressed with its intuitive functionality, cost-effectiveness and sleek, mobile-friendly design. The platform’s visually appealing interface and clear data presentation have been game-changers for the team, making day-to-day operations smoother and more efficient.
“Having KPIs readily available is ideal for monitoring the pulse of the hotel’s performance. Comparing Mews to our previous PMS is like day and night. Mews is more user-friendly and when needed, I can quickly get to data through a mobile device or desktop browser.”
Challenge
Their previous PMS lacked key features and was frustrating for both staff and prospective guests. Mari Jean Hotel needed a more efficient platform that could quickly adapt to their needs.
Solution
In 2023, Mari Jean Hotel made the switch to Mews. They enjoyed seamless onboarding facilitated by a responsive team that identified new opportunities to optimize their operations. The benefits were immediate. Mews enabled real-time updates to guest- and staff-facing content and the platform’s intuitive interface allowed staff to adapt quickly. Features like streamlined housekeeping and front desk coordination enhanced communication about room statuses and amenities, significantly improving day-to-day efficiency.
Result
“The user experience – both internally and for guests – is modern, appealing and easy to understand. Mews has transformed how we operate.”
Challenge
Managing diverse offerings such as rooms, poolside cabanas, parking and special event spaces was a logistical challenge. The manual system was inefficient and prone to errors, while the previous booking process often confused guests, leading to reduced revenue.
Solution
Mews Spaces introduced a game-changing solution. Mari Jean Hotel can now set up separate booking categories for cabanas, organizing them into three different availability buckets on specific days of the week. Mews also automated the reservation process for 17 parking spaces, ensuring that both room and parking bookings are made together to prevent misuse. For special events, Mews created unique reservation links with separate terms and conditions, which can be embedded on the hotel's website to easily book poolside amenities like VIP Cabanas and VIP Tables.
Result
“Mews eliminated the logistical headaches of managing multiple spaces, ensuring guests can book seamlessly while maximizing revenue.”
Challenge
Without 24/7 staffing, managing late arrivals was a persistent challenge. The manager on duty often had to handle those check-ins, leading to operational hiccups.
Solution
With Mews, Mari Jean Hotel introduced online check-in, offering benefits for both guests and staff. Before their arrival, guests receive an email with a link to the online check-in process, which is quick and easy to complete. This allows guests to check in before arriving, eliminating paperwork and reducing wait times. For late arrivals, online check-in ensures a smooth, hassle-free experience.
Result
Challenge
Many American hoteliers are unfamiliar with the benefits of innovative platforms like Mews. Mari Jean Hotel was in a similar situation, using a system that couldn't support their vision or meet the expectations of today’s modern guests.
Solution
Mews provides a valuable resource for opening help tickets when needed. The team also appreciates the extensive knowledge base that helps them customize the platform to meet their property’s specific needs. Additionally, Mews offers a wide range of integrations with well-known hospitality solutions, all with zero connection fees. The commitment to continuous improvement makes Mews an ideal partner for properties like Mari Jean Hotel, looking to embrace tech advancements and stay ahead of modern guest expectations.
Result
“Consider the possibilities of managing your property in new and creative ways and doing it effectively at a reasonable cost. Mews is more than just a PMS; they’re our partner in embracing the new era of hospitality.”
Challenge
A lack of direct bookings resulted in increased revenue loss through OTA commissions. Additionally, Mari Jean Hotel missed a lot of upselling opportunities due to the limited functionality of their previous booking system.
Solution
Mews Booking Engine combines a sleek, intuitive design with seamless upsell options, helping Mari Jean Hotel increase revenue. The hotel successfully upsells early check-in, with late check-out being another guest favorite. By offering transparency, the booking engine builds trust – clearly displayed booking restrictions and details make it easy for guests to book with confidence. Additionally, the ability to control copy and imagery within the booking engine allows Mari Jean Hotel to speak directly to the LGBTQ+ community, with greater success and ease than with their previous PMS. Want to see the Mews Booking Engine in action? Explore a self-guided product tour here.
Result
Akia
Akia is a fully automated guest messaging platform designed for hotels. The Mari Jean Hotel team finds it extremely versatile and effective at connecting products. They can easily customize it to fit their specific needs, making the creation of rules and custom fields for personalized guest communication smooth and hassle-free.
Booking.com
This integration allows Mari Jean Hotel to receive Booking.com reservations and manage inventory directly in Mews. The connection automatically reports invalid payment cards and allows them to manage rates and restrictions easily. As a bonus, when you onboard a new property, all future Booking.com reservations will be downloaded automatically.
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