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It’s time to ditch the desk
Removing the front desk is what’s called going “deskless.” 100% of guest check-ins are handled using Virdee mobile and kiosk technology. This hotel front desk system is valuable to select- and limited-service hotels as well as extended-stay hotels, saving costs on front desk staff and allowing you to reinvest those resources elsewhere.
A SMOOTHER GUEST JOURNEY
Welcome to modern hospitality
Many modern and urban hotels are also going deskless, especially those serving younger generations that are already comfortable using self-service technology.
Start with communication
Guests need to know what to expect when they arrive, so pre-arrival communications are critical to ensuring a positive guest experience. These emails include links to Virdee mobile web check-in as well as videos and other informational materials to explain how the process works.
Mobile web check-in
Virdee solutions allow guests to check in using mobile web, eliminating the need to download an app just to check in. They can complete all check-in tasks including identity verification, signing terms and conditions, and submitting payment all before arriving at the hotel.
Key card options and Remote Assistance
When a guest arrives at the hotel, they can either retrieve their digital key using the app, Google Wallet or Apple Wallet, or they can pick up a key at the lobby kiosk. Should a guest run into any issues like getting locked out of their room, they can contact hotel staff from the lobby kiosk using Remote Assistance and staff can remotely print a spare key.
Redesign the lobby
A major benefit of going deskless is being able to reconfigure the lobby area of a hotel. A significant amount of space is dedicated to the front desk. By removing it, the space can be rededicated to a common area, contactless mail pickup lockers, or a contactless café. When designing a property from the ground up around deskless, the area that would have gone towards the front desk can instead be used to expand other areas of the hotel.
Keep a personal touch
There is always some staff on-site at a hotel, from security to cleaning personnel. The benefit of a deskless lobby is removing the need for front desk staff, however, a guest ambassador can be helpful even for deskless hotels, especially in the early stages as guests become accustomed to the new technology. This also provides a bit of a personal touch to the guest experience.
Option for part-time deskless properties
While some properties consider removing the front desk completely, nearly every property can benefit from going deskless at least part-time. Even the largest hotels have times during the day or night when guest arrivals hover near zero. Virdee deskless technology can benefit hotels by removing the need to staff the front desk during those hours, saving valuable resources. As an added benefit, by instituting part-time deskless technology at your hotel, you can easily expand it to enable contactless check-in for guests throughout the day, turning technology into an amenity.
Case Study
Deskless Hotel
A budget chain embraces the efficiency and simplified experience of removing the front desk for 100% self-check-in.
100%
Check-in conversions
125 hours
Guest time saved per month
6
FTEs saved (per property)
“Virdee provides a seamless digital guest service solution through mobile, kiosk and online - at the same time offering additional revenue streams and reducing operational costs.”
Kevin Dailey
Chief Operating Officer - LivAway Suites
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