Did you know that 69% of hotel guests say good technology amenities influence their choice of hotel?

The tech you use to improve the guest experience can be the difference between a good stay and a great stay - and we all know that a truly great stay means returning customers. But why can technology have such an impact on the guest experience today?

Let’s start with the obvious: how we use technology as consumers has changed. Today, our experiences are mobile-first, and so seamless we barely notice them. Experiences that aren’t like this make your hotel stand out. And not in a good way.

On the other hand, technology allows your staff to go above and beyond for your guests - without running themselves into the ground. Take a guest that arrives at midnight, jet-lagged and exhausted. The last thing they want to do is wait around at reception, fill in a registration form and have their passport scanned. If they’ve checked in online before arrival, they don’t have to.

The next day, this same guest is lying by the pool and needs an extra towel. Imagine the difference it makes being able to ask for it via WhatsApp and have the charge added straight to their room, rather than queueing at reception in flip flops.

The best bit? Technology experiences like this also help your staff, by filling in for people shortages and allowing them to focus on providing an excellent service.

This post recommends four of our favourite hospitality tech tools to improve the guest experience - AI-powered, direct-to-mobile, integrated - covering every part of the guest journey from pre check-in to the end of the trip.

AeroGuest: communications and interactions with guests

AeroGuest was built to help hoteliers make time for what matters: making great personal connections with guests. By streamlining hotel operations, AeroGuest gives your staff more time to focus on the little details that make a hotel experience special. It’s available for small, medium and enterprise hotels.

Key features:

• AeroGuest Journey: puts guests in charge, with online check-in, room selection, digital room keys and a guest app

• AeroGuest Flow: lets general managers and front desk staff see reservations, communications, usage, payment and overall setup from one dashboard

• AeroGuest Payments: automatic contactless transactions, pre-payment for reservations and automatic payment updates

• AeroGuest Communications: schedule and send emails, SMS and app messages from one place

AeroGuest integrates with major PMS systems, payment providers and digital room key providers. Pricing is a flat fee of 300 euros a month for small hotels, 400 euros for medium hotels, and custom pricing for enterprise.

Duve: pre-arrival check-in and engagement

Duve made it onto the list thanks to its pre-arrival check-in and post-arrival engagement opportunities, serving hotels, hostels and vacation rentals.

Key features:

• Online check-in: guests upload IDs and sign documents electronically before arrival, reducing queues and admin

• Communication hub: a centralised platform for SMS, email, and chat

• Tailored upselling: personalised upsells based on guest preferences

• Mobile key integration: digital key cards provided from anywhere at any time

• Guest app: a branded web app with mobile keys, extras, hotel information, and built-in chat

• Analytics dashboard: advanced analytics and guest segmentation

Duve integrates with 100+ industry-leading PMS systems, PSPs, and digital key providers. Pricing starts at 5 euros per room per month, with a premium tier at 9 euros per room per month and enterprise options available.

Runnr.ai: WhatsApp communications for guest experiences

Runnr.ai is an AI-powered virtual hotel concierge that lets you communicate seamlessly with guests via WhatsApp, delivering personalised information straight to their phones. It works with hotels of all shapes and sizes.

Key features:

• Omni language support: auto-translates for both sides of the conversation

• Proactive messaging: stay in touch with guests pre-arrival and post-stay

• Messaging dashboard: a bird’s eye view of each conversation, with the ability to jump in when needed

• Guest analytics: track message and request types to build a clearer picture of your guests

Runnr.ai integrates with major management tools and other guest-facing technology. Users can try it for free, then pay 3 euros per room per month.

UpMarket: AI-powered guest experience automation

UpMarket leverages AI to enhance guest satisfaction and drive revenue growth, and is trusted by over 1,000 properties worldwide, from vacation rentals to hotels, B&Bs, and resorts.

Key features:

• Virtual concierge: an AI-powered digital concierge accessible via instant messaging apps

• DirectBook chat: a 24/7 AI chatbot for inquiries and direct bookings

• Online check-in: guests check in before arrival, with information automatically reported to local authorities for compliance

• Guest app: one dedicated space for stay information and services

• Digital keys: room keys delivered via email or instant messaging

• Payments: automated guest payments from one dashboard

• Intelligent upselling: AI-tailored upsell opportunities based on preferences and behaviour

UpMarket integrates with over 20 leading PMS platforms, with the option to request new integrations. Pricing is tailored by property type, with monthly and annual plans and a one-month free trial.

Oh wait, there’s one hospitality tech tool we forgot to mention - Sweeply, of course! To find out how we streamline your housekeeping operations, just head to our Sweeply features page.