An Interview About Digital Assistants In Hotels And The Role Of Hotel Guests
The four star superior comfort hotel with its impressive historical architecture and modern furshnishing is one of the top addresses in Stralsund and is located directly in the old town. The hotel’s uniqueness is reflected in its 92 rooms, each of them with a different floor plan, as well as in the excellent gastronomy. For about one year now, the Romantik Hotel Scheelehof is part of Betterspace’s customer base, which consists of more than 600 customers in 10 countries. So, it is time for an interview with the Managing Director Eike Sadewater and a summary of the use of the smart solutions from Betterspace.
Our Guests Are, Were And Will Be In The Focus
Betterspace:
Mr. Sadewater, thank you very much for taking the time to talk about the digitization in the hotel industry. How important is digitization in your hotel right now?
E. Sadewater:
Digitization is not just on everyone’s lips, but right in the midst of our lives. Of course, our hotel is about using the advantages of digitalization, too. We do not just observe the new way we work, but also our guest’s needs, yes, even demands. They are, were and will be in the focus of our thoughts and actions.
Always Keeping Up
Betterspace:
That is right. You can not think of the hotel industry without digitization. What is the biggest challenge in your hotel regarding digitization right now?
E. Sadewater:
The fast changing pace of our time requires a high degree of flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of our guests. There are always new solutions and providers on the market. It is not always easy to keep an overview and find the perfect solution for your hotel. Keeping up with digitalization is a real challenge. One that, of course, we are facing and mastering with the help from Betterspace. For us, Betterspace is a valuable and reliable partner who is there to help and give us advice.
Live Testing Digital Solutions And Talking To Colleagues
Betterspace:
Thank you so much, we are very happy to hear that, Mr. Sadewater. How did you hear about us, Betterspace, and our digital solutions?
E. Sadewater:
A long time ago, I noticed Betterspace in several media outlets reporting about smart and innovative solutions for the hotel industry. The decisive factor for the first conversations was a workshop as part of the networking event „Better.Connect – The Networking Day for Hoteliers“ in our hotel. The event was the perfect opportunity to have a closer look at Betterspace and their portfolio and test their solutions live as well as exchange ideas with colleagues in the region, who Betterspace had invited.
Digital Guest Directory, Intelligent Room Control And WLAN
Betterspace:
We are glad you enjoyed our networking event, Mr. Sadewater. Please tell us which of our innovate products you chose and why?
E. Sadewater:
At the beginning of our cooperation, we focused on two solutions, the digital guest directory iQ Tab and the smart home system for hotels iQ Roomcontrol. The general approach that can be found here, was exactly in line with our main idea and the focus on sustainability. In the meantime we implemented your reliable hotspot solution iQ WLAN, too. For the future we have also planned to install a more modern telephone system based on VoIP from Betterspace.
Betterspace:
And what exactly enthuses you about the implemented smart solutions from us, Betterspace, in your hotel?
E. Sadewater:
That is quite simple – our guests have a true added value and we keep up with the digital change. The smart solutions support us in our work. We gain in service quality and at the same time have an eye on optimized work processes, costs and upselling.
Betterspace – A Service Provider, Who Really Knows The Hotel Business
Betterspace:
That speaks for itself. As we know from experience, the software provider for digital solutions, in this case we, Batterspace, always plays a major role. How did we convince you here?
E. Sadewater:
An open, honest and consistent partnership is important to us. To communicate with each other means to listen, unterstand and implement something new. That worked with Betterspace perfectly from the beginning. It’s a good basis for going and thinking towards the future together. Betterspace is a service provider whose main goal is not to just sign contracts. The company knows the hotel business and became familiar with our expectations and the needs of our guests. Betterspace accompanies and advises us and so we move on together.
We are keeping up!
Betterspace:
Thank you very much. We are happy to hear that. Would you like to recommend or tell your hotelier colleagues anything regarding digitization in hotels?
E. Sadewater:
It is quite difficult to make a general recommendation, the hotel industry is just too diverse – only think of the hotels, that offer their guests a completely offline or media-reduced stay. Not to lose the “connection” and to keep up with the pulse of time is a good basic guideline for us. One thought always comes into focus – in the end it is our guests who we very much like to say goodbye to after their stay at the Scheelehof, but we prefer to welcome them again. This only happens if the “full package” is right.
Betterspace:
Mr. Sadewater, before we get to our last question, we would like to thank you for taking your time, we know as an hotelier the schedule is always tight, and for the nice talk. We wish you and your dedicated team from the Romantik Hotel Scheelehof continued success and many happy guests! And here is our last question: What potential do you think digitization has in the future?
E. Sadewater:
At first, thank you and you are very welcome. Now on to you question. Nobody knows what the future holds for us, not even Betterspace. I am convinced, that with Betterspace we have a partner by our side, who continues to accompany and provide us with innovative advice in the future. Basically, digitization is a change, a constant progress, that has become essential to our hotel. Digitization is not a project with an end. One thing is clear: We are keeping up…!