How smart hotel tech transformed WestCord Hotels
Major Dutch hotel chain embrace agile technology to digitalize their operations, from housekeeping to reservations.
Major Dutch hotel chain embrace agile technology to digitalize their operations, from housekeeping to reservations.
of guests use online check-in
35%
Paperless housekeeping
100%
saved per check-in
4 minutes
WestCord Hotels is a Dutch hotel group who have been providing rooms for guests since 1968. The brand has 15 hotels across the Netherlands, in both city center locations such as Amsterdam, as well as in rural areas.
As well as providing outstanding hospitality, sustainability is core to WestCord’s beliefs. Their hotels are Green Key certified and have actioned a huge number of eco-friendly practices over recent years. Moving to a property management system that enabled green hospitality was key for the hotel chain, as was the use of technology to enable more efficient, guest-centric stays.
Pain
WestCord Hotels wanted their housekeeping team to go fully paperless as part of their sustainability goals. They also wanted to improve communication and make the team more efficient.
Solution
By connecting with Leviy through the Mews Marketplace, WestCord had instant access to housekeeping specialist software. The app allows cleaners to see when guests check out and which rooms to attend, and lets the housekeeping manager know where to find the team and which rooms they need to sign off.
Result
• The housekeeping team is now completely paperless
• Significant time savings because of instant digital communication
• Full onboarding and staff training with Leviy took less than two weeks
“One of the biggest advantages of Leviy was that it was quick to connect. It has a lot of options, but even the basic functionality is simple and good, and will do the job well.”
Pain
The traditional guest journey is inflexible and transactional. It often means long queues at reception during peak times, and staff are stuck performing impersonal administrative tasks.
Solution
Mews Guest Journey allows WestCord to provide a dynamic, personal guest experience. Many guests choose to check in online before arrival, while the reception team have the flexibility to check in guests away from the front desk, in more comfortable settings – and the same is true for checking out.
Result
• 35% of guests use online check-in
• Average check-in time has improved from six minutes to two minutes
• Bills can be settled on mobile from anywhere, so guests can skip the reception queue at check-out
Pain
With legacy hospitality software, staff are tied up in repetitive, manual tasks that take their time away from more important areas such as the guest experience.
Solution
Mews automates many of the administrative tasks that were previously time-consuming for staff. For instance, no night audit means that the Night Manager now prepares for the morning shift instead, and employees have been redeployed to areas where they better serve the hotels’ guests.
Result
• Automation saves the equivalent of one reservations employee per hotel, who can be better deployed providing excellent guest service
• Major time savings across multiple departments, resulting in better prepared, more effective teams
WestCord Hotels use a number of integrations, from revenue management to event management.
Leviy
“Efficiency has improved. Making up the list in the morning for the housekeeping manager is easy, and it’s quicker to track cleaning. We also use the maintenance and lost and found functionality which is great because you can take pictures and assign tasks to certain people."
Frank Tuhusula, General Manager, WestCord Fashion Hotel
In May 2021, WestCord Hotels opened their latest property in the beautiful city of Groningen. As the world continues to open up again, the team will look for even more ways to differentiate their hotels to ensure that they return to pre-pandemic occupancies.
Sustainability remains at the core of this decision making, and will be critical when reviewing operations to ensure the business is operating as efficiently as possible. When it comes to marketing, the focus remains on Dutch customers and neighboring countries who can arrive by car or train.
Make it remarkable.
Ready to take the first step towards a more efficient, flexible, guest-centric approach to hospitality?
Cookie management
Here you can manage your preferences regarding cookies:
Essential cookies
Essential cookies enable core functionalities of the website such as marking your data inputs, network management and accessibility.
Functionality cookies
These cookies allow a website to remember choices you have made in the past, like what language and currency you prefer, remember your name and email and automatically fill forms.
Analytical cookies
Analytical cookies help us improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it.
Advertising cookies
Advertising cookies for delivering tailored and customized advertising.
Mewser