Inspiring Excellence – The Story of RED Hotels and Guestline

For many, success is a delicate balance between pioneering solutions and an unwavering commitment to excellence. This success becomes particularly evident when delving into the collaboration between RED Hotels and Guestline.

Setting sail on a transformative journey, the catalyst for change came with a crucial realisation - the need to say goodbye to an 'end of life' PMS. Guestline emerged as the agent of change, seamlessly integrating with existing software partners and opening up a world of possibilities for RED Hotels.

In this exclusive Q&A with Kimberley Barradell, Business Development Manager at Guestline, we delve into the story of RED Hotels' journey. Join us as we explore the driving forces, aspirations, and profound influence of technology in the dynamic hospitality industry.

The decision to look for a new Property Management System (PMS) came from the realisation that RED Hotels' current system had reached its 'end of life' phase. With the need for a seamlessly integrated solution to complement their existing software partners, including Premier Core, ResDiary, and Profitroom, the search for a new PMS became imperative.

When the current system was nearing the end of its life, Guestline quickly became the preferred choice. Our proven ability to integrate with trusted partners, coupled with their solid industry reputation, made us a natural fit.

The success stories of Guestline's work with other prestigious hotels in the region also boosted confidence in entrusting them with the key role of transforming RED Hotels.

The primary objective was to secure a true cloud solution that would seamlessly integrate with their current software partners. Rather than opting for a complete technology overhaul, they wanted to enhance their existing infrastructure.

In addition, a key aspect of their search was to find a PMS partner that offered on-site training and implementation—a rarity in the industry.

The commitment to personalised, on-site training and exceptional ongoing support was a key factor in the final decision.
 

RED Hotels actually ended up choosing a comprehensive suite of solutions offered by Guestline.
This encompassed the Guestline Platform, the EPoS and important 3rd party integrations with Premier Core, ResDiary, and Profitroom.

Of particular note, discussions regarding GuestPay showed the potential for significant monthly savings - an enticing aspect that piqued the interest of RED Hotels.

Equally, the prospect of a potential partnership with Gift Voucher, Guestline's chosen voucher platform, didn't take long to pique their curiosity. The possibility of integrating Smart Gift with The Guestline Platform and EPoS presented an exciting opportunity for a unified voucher system across their entire site.
 

Firstly, the ability to handle F&B allocations within the Platform was transformative, to say the least. RED Hotels' previous PMS was not without its limitations, but with Guestline they can now offer a wider range of inclusive packages.

This enhancement allows them to create more enticing offers for their guests, fulfilling a functionality they've wanted for some time.

Then there's the extensive API and integration capabilities. This has excited RED Hotels about potential collaborations with Revenue Management Systems (RMS) or door lock integrations, demonstrating the greater flexibility and adaptability of Guestline's products that they were looking for.

And I can't forget the Central Reservation and Cross-Property Profiles features within The Guestline Platform. This nifty feature gives them a more centralised guest profile that works seamlessly across their two properties.

It allows guests to instantly book accommodations at both properties using a single PMS login. This centralised guest profile system makes it easy for guests staying at both properties to book directly through the central reservation system.
 

Technology and innovation have played a key role in the success of our partnership. It's enabled the hotel to take a more dynamic and tailored approach to its growth strategy.

The extensive API and integration capabilities have completely changed the way they work with preferred software partners. Unlike their previous system, which had a limited number of integrations, Guestline's solutions gave them the freedom to choose their preferred software partners.

This new found flexibility has been nothing short of transformational. RED Hotels can now find and integrate solutions that best suit their properties, something they found difficult in the past.
 

Maintaining a productive and successful working relationship has been a top priority for Guestline from the very beginning. From the outset, RED Hotels was assigned a dedicated project manager to ensure that all their unique and urgent needs were effectively addressed.

This bespoke project management approach involved the creation of a carefully planned schedule, perfectly tailored to the specific requirements of RED Hotels. Throughout the onboarding process, the project manager maintained a consistent and hands-on presence, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the success of the relationship.

The level of personalised support, coupled with the dedicated trainer, is what really sets Guestline apart. This is a clear demonstration of the immense care given to each of their valued clients.
 

One notable change we've seen is the increasing importance of PCI compliance and payment processing.

In response to this shift, we've introduced GuestPay - a comprehensive solution that has been carefully designed to ensure full compliance with PCI standards.

It is clear how GuestPay can contribute significantly to cost savings, especially in an industry that is placing increasing emphasis on improving payment security and adherence to compliance standards.

This shift has highlighted the need to proactively offer secure and compliant solutions to stay at the forefront of industry demands.