Leading Channel Islands Hotel Group Installs Rezlynx & Roomlynx
Healthspan Leisure (a subsidiary of the Healthspan Group) comprises three properties located on the islands of Alderney and Guernsey in the Channel Islands.
Braye Beach Hotel - the most luxurious of Alderney hotels, the stunning Braye Beach Hotel has one of the most spectacular views, standing picture-perfect on the edge of Alderney’s finest sandy beach. This stylish and elegant hotel incorporates 27 rooms luxury rooms; bar, restaurant & terrace with stunning panoramic views, private cinema and fine dining in the vaulted wine.
Fermain Valley - one of the most prestigious Guernsey hotels, this stunning 4-star hotel is conveniently situated just 5 minutes from Guernsey’s charming harbour capital, St Peter Port. Offering a unique mix of facilities, the hotel has 45 rooms offering breathtaking views out to sea, 2 superb restaurants, a residents’ private cinema, an indoor-heated swimming pool and sauna.
Sunnycroft Hotel - nestled in the cobbled streets above St Peter Port town centre, this hotel is a peaceful and secluded haven with spectacular views across the town centre and harbour. The hotel has recently been refurbished and boasts 14 bedrooms, all of which have superb views and some of which enjoy private balconies. Amenities also include a bar and restaurant, comfortable lounge and conservatory.
The Challenge
Healthspan Leisure had been utilising identical property management systems at all three properties. However, their current system was nearing the end of its life and no longer being supported by their existing software vendor.
Faced with the scenario of managing an expanding group utilising an ageing system that was no longer being developed, Healthspan Leisure took the opportunity to investigate alternative property management systems that were currently available in the marketplace.
A key requirement for any new system was the need to keep investment on expensive new hardware to a minimum. The group also required a centralised solution that would accommodate seamless cross-property bookings, real-time head office management reporting and facilitate live online reservations through all the group websites and major online travel agencies.
The Solution
After careful consideration Healthspan Leisure decided to install Guestline’s web based PMS, Rezlynx. This was combined with Roomlynx, for online channel management, and PCILynx to provide full PCI DSS compliance.
Rezlynx is a 100% internet based property management system designed around a single, centrally located data source, which can be accessed from anywhere in the world via a standard secure web browser.
Rezlynx incorporates full PMS functionality, including front of house, reservations, conference & banqueting, back office, sales ledger, business analysis reporting, and an extremely powerful sales & marketing tool.
The fundamental principle behind Rezlynx is that the software is not installed locally at the hotel. Instead, it is hosted remotely on Guestline’s dedicated servers and Guestline are responsible for the security and backup of the hotel’s data, as well as the resilience of the hardware on which the software and data is stored.
Healthspan Leisures requirement for the automatic processing of online bookings from their own websites and major online travel will be handled by Roomlynx, Guestline’s channel management and distribution solution.
Roomlynx streamlines the online channel management process by actively connecting the groups properties to the leading online travel agencies, including LateRooms, Bookings.com and Hotel.info.
This powerful two way interface will enable Healthspan Leisure to manage its online rates, availability and restrictions directly from Rezlynx. It will also facilitate the seamless delivery of reservations from all online sales channels directly into Rezlynx, without the need for manual data entry.
The implementation of PCILynx will ensure that the group fully complies with the latest PCI DSS payment card security standard.
PCILynx provides solutions to the key problem areas of the standard, such as wireless security scans, external vulnerability scans, personal firewall & virus protection audits and creating policies and procedures. PCILynx integrates Rezlynx PMS with the card acquiring services to provide a secure method of card data storage.
Business Benefits
Rezlynx offers a wide range of benefits when compared to a traditional locally installed PMS.
- Lower Cost Of Ownership - There is no need for the group to purchase expensive new computer equipment to run the system.
- No Specialist IT Skills Required At The Hotel - The remote servers are maintained by qualified technicians and constantly monitored to ensure there is little or no down time.
- Security Of Business Critical Data - The confidential hotel database is subject to comprehensive backup and security procedures.
- Remote Access From Anywhere In The World - Proprietors and the management team can access the system and the live data from anywhere in the world.
- Multi Property Capabilities - Group properties can take advantage of Rezlynx’ single data source, by checking live availability for all hotels and making cross property reservations. The client database, guest history and ledger details can be shared easily across all hotels.
- Lessened Impact of Hardware Failures - The potential effect of a hardware failure at the hotel is significantly reduced. With Rezlynx there is no need to reinstall complicated software, users simply replace the PC and connect to the internet to access the system again.
Rate management is much simpler with Rezlynx, as all rates are managed from a single location and then exposed automatically to the group website and online travel agents and via Roomlynx. This not only saves time, as updating rates and availability on an individual channel is no longer necessary, but rate parity can also be easily achieved.
The addition of PCILynx to the overall PMS solution will result in all hotels within the group being fully compliant with PCI DSS procedures, as specified by their bank. It will also provide the company with improved levels of payment card security and will minimise the potential of fraudulent card transactions.
“Guestline has supplied us with a cost effective, fully hosted property management solution that has the added bonus of incorporating channel management, capabilities”. Michael Conrad-Pickles, Director of Hotels, Healthspan Leisure