Just imagine landing in a new city after a long and cramped flight. You want to take a sigh of relief as you bring in your bags, dragging them with a foggy brain and limping arms. You’re planning to shower and take a nap, but an internal scream overtakes your sigh.
It’s because now, you’re stuck behind a line at the hotel front desk, waiting for someone to print your keycard like it’s still 2005. And it’s definitely going to take about 20 minutes or even more. Frustrated, you leave the hotel and head to the one nearby, within walking distance.
There, all you have to do is tap a screen and check in within seconds. You can head straight to the room without the awkward small talk or paper forms.
This could be how you’re losing customers without having a Self Check In kiosk. A few minutes of delay and they’ll get ahead of your rivals. The worst part? You’re actually helping them make money, while you lose it despite being so close.
So let’s help you give a better first impression. Read our guide to learn more about hotel self check-in kiosks. You’ll definitely want to get one by the end, because if your competition is already on it, you really don’t want to be the one left behind.
What’s A Self Check In Kiosk?
If you’re wondering, “What even is a kiosk?” then don’t worry. You’ll find your answer here. Think of it like a digital device that’s similar to an iPad. It’s a big screen that has a certain number of functions and features. They serve as helpers at malls, hotels, and more. Kiosks can help display advertisements and make repetitive tasks easier. In this case, we have self-check-in kiosks.
They’re a form of self-service. And in places like hotels, where people arrive feeling drained, without the energy for small talk, self-service thrives. And Self Check In Kiosks are the star of the show. You’ve probably used one at an airport or even at the mall.
How Do Self Check In Kiosks Work?
A hotel self check-in kiosk allows guests to walk up and simply tap a few options. They scan their ID and get their room key. It’s that simple. This is why 84% of Generation Z and 76% of Millennials prefer using checkouts that are tech-based. They get in without awkward “my booking’s under…umm…” moments. It’s all about making check-in less about paperwork and more about welcoming your guests.
So, if your hotel isn’t offering that option yet, you’re basically telling two major travel demographics to stand in line, and nobody’s got time for that.
- Touch and Select: Guests choose their language, tap ‘check-in’. Then they just follow the prompts on-screen.
- ID Verification: The kiosk scans their ID, passport, or booking QR code.
- Payment (if needed): It can process payments or hold deposits via a card reader.
- Key Issuance: Once everything checks out, the kiosk prints their room key.
By the time the guest is heading up to their room, your front desk is still on the second “how can I help you today?” of a traditional check-in.
What Features Does A Hotel Self Check In Kiosk Have?
The interesting thing about technology is the different kinds of features it offers. They make many functions and tasks easier. Even though a hotel self-check-in kiosk is only one part of the hotel experience, it greatly enhances the travel journey. The main features it offers are helpful for both the hotel and the visitors:
Check In
This is the main focus point for hotels. It allows guests to walk in and scan their ID or booking code after tapping a few options. This helps them get their key card right away without waiting in line.
- Speeds up the process, especially during peak hours
- Offers 24/7 check-in for late-night or early-morning arrivals
- Great for solo travelers or those in a hurry
Check Out
With this feature, leaving is just as easy as arriving. Guests can review their bill and pay any remaining charges from here. After this, they can check out right from the kiosk.
- Zero interaction required
- Reduces front desk congestion during busy mornings
- Sends digital receipts to emails for added convenience
Payment Processor
Secure and fast transactions? Yes please. No one is saying no to that. The kiosk can accept credit/debit cards and mobile wallets. You don’t even have to worry about contactless payments because it allows those too.
- Integrated PCI-compliant payment gateway
- Accepts multiple currencies and card types
- Reduces manual payment errors
Real-Time Language Switching
Travelers from around the world feel right at home. Guests can switch the kiosk interface to their preferred language on the spot. This makes your hotel more inclusive and accessible.
- Supports major international languages
- Reduces confusion or miscommunication
- Improves overall guest satisfaction
Room Upsell Engine
Customers start losing interest when you sound too salesy. This is where your kisk will actually help you upsell and boost your revenue without making your visitors lose interest. The kiosk software solutions subtly suggests upgrades or extras based on availability and guest profile.
- Brings an average of 10–15% in upsell revenue
- Uses guest data to personalize recommendations
- Works silently
Offline Mode
Even if the Wi-Fi ghosts you for a bit, the kiosk keeps going. Offline mode allows basic check-in and check-out operations to continue smoothly without any disturbance..
- Ensures uninterrupted service
- Syncs data automatically right after the connection is restored
- Prevents downtime-related complaints
What Are The Benefits Of Check In Kiosks For Hotels?
The features speak for themselves. But what if there were even more advantages for you in it? Self Check In kiosks can actually make your visitors feel confident and comfortable. 67% of customers in general prefer self-service over traditional human support options. Let’s find out why:
Quiet Lobby Experience
Sometimes flights are peaceful. They are the best. But what about the one where that one baby just won’t stop crying on your solo trip? No one is a fan of that. And when you finally get off that plane and enter your hotel, you need peace. And if the hotel sounds loud, it’s another headache.
But if you have a hotel self check in kiosk, you’ll actually be able to provide a quieter and more peaceful lobby experience. Fewer people would talk, and there won’t be long lines.
Better Guest Privacy
Traveling to new countries and cities is cool. Everyone has a different experience during their journey. However, many feel anxious and just don’t feel comfortable sharing their personal details out loud. Moreover, some travelers (especially VIPs or solo travelers) prefer avoiding personal questions at the front desk.
This is where a hotel self check in kiosk comes in and offers discreet check-in without the need to speak the personal details publicly.
Upselling Without Pressure
If you know anything about marketing psychology, you’d know that once a product starts sounding too salesy, customers actually tend to buy it less. They actually lose interest in it. The same thing happens when your clients feel judged or pressured by a person to buy a larger room.
Guests are actually more likely to accept room upgrades or add-ons when offered digitally through the kiosk. This way, they have the privacy to choose what they want.
Less Paperwork
Collecting data used to be done on paper in files. This would be time-consuming and also often cause waste if the file got damaged. And in hotels, owners have to gather the necessary data that the law requires them to collect. But it isn’t sustainable and doesn’t help the environment.
So how do kiosks help here? They allow people to type their info in quickly and easily. This reduces excess paperwork, and the information remains secure digitally.
Better Reviews
This is where User Generated Content swoops in. People are more likely to trust brands with raw opinions from other travelers just like them. Once you get a hotel self check in kiosk, people will love how smooth it makes things. This is where they’ll start leaving reviews.
And when other travelers are on the internet searching for a good place to stay and they read about other visitors who loved the experience you offered, they’ll want to come and see for themselves.
Brand Consistency
In hotel chains, kiosks can offer a standardized check-in experience that ensures consistent branding and process. Guests also feel more confident when the process is familiar, even at different locations. This is what really wins their hearts and keeps your hotel at the top of their list.
Psychologically, a consistent experience makes the human brain feel more comfortable, as there is a sense of familiarity. And 81% of clients need to trust a brand to even consider buying from it.
Conclusion
Kiosks are an incredible and cool example of technology. And this technology is what over 70% of consumers prefer. They want to stay at hotels that offer awesome tech and make the journey fun and more peaceful. You can even add any features of your choice and design the kiosk according to your brand. Sounds cool? It’s possible with Linkitsoft.
We create accessible and user-friendly user experiences for kiosks. No matter how many features you want, we’ll develop, test, and add them to your kiosk easily. Just connect with us and tell us what you need. We’ll build awesome kiosks that make your hotel become the next favorite.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will you ensure security in my kiosk software?
Security is a part of our project from day one. We use encrypted data transmission and secure login protocols to keep everything locked tight and secure.
How long will it take to build and implement my kiosk software?
We’ll design, develop, and test your hotel kiosk check in within a few weeks. This implementation barely takes a day. However, we’ll only be able to give a proper timeline after you tell us your requirements. This is because more complex features and needs might even take up to a year.
Can you design the UI/UX of my self check in kiosk hotel software?
Yes, we totally can! If you need a comprehensive UX audit or an update, we’re here for you. Whether you want us to create a new design or update that old and outdated one, you can rely on our expert designers.
Will the kiosk be able to connect to my existing system?
Yes, it can, flawlessly. We make sure the kiosk software seamlessly integrates with your existing PMS and backend systems. Updating has never been easier..
Do you provide ongoing support and maintenance for Hotel Self Check-In Kiosks?
Yes, we’ve got your back and you can rely on us. From updates to system health checks, our support team is just a call or click away. We’ll be there whenever you need us.
