Situated on the picturesque shores of the Baltic Sea, Hotel Jurmala Spa is a modern 4-star hotel offering 190 spacious rooms, a full-service wellness center, an award-winning spa, and diverse dining options to suit every palate. With state-of-the-art conference facilities and a multi-level wellness oasis, it provides an exceptional setting for both leisure and business travelers seeking a rejuvenating and seamless experience.
We sat down with Dace Šķēle, Ineta Kalpina, and Jūlija Konstantinova from Hotel Jurmala Spa’s sales department to learn more about their experience with HotelBuddy.
What challenges did you face before implementing HotelBuddy?
Ineta: "The main issue was long queues at check-in and check-out, especially on Fridays and Saturdays when the hotel is fully booked. With 190 rooms and around 400 guests arriving and departing simultaneously, the wait time could be up to an hour. Even with three to four receptionists, the manual data collection process was time-consuming. We wanted to improve the check-in and check-out process so guests could spend their time enjoying our wellness center or relaxing at our restaurant instead of standing in line."
What made you choose HotelBuddy over other solutions?
Dace: "We chose HotelBuddy because it stood out with a strong presentation and excellent feedback from industry colleagues. The system is convenient and well thought out, making the decision easy for us. Additionally, the HotelBuddy team is highly professional and supportive, which is very important in our business."
How did the receptionists adapt to HotelBuddy?
Jūlija: "The receptionists adapted to HotelBuddy quickly, as they already had experience with online check-in systems. What receptionists find most helpful about HotelBuddy is its ability to collect document data and payments before arrival, which not only speeds up check-in and check-out but also minimizes the risk of manual errors during busy moments. The ability to get pre-ordered services in advance helps all departments prepare better—for example, knowing how many masseurs or cosmetologists are needed. "
How was the integration process, how much work did it take from the hotel side?
Jūlija: "It only took two to three days of work from our side. Within a month, we had all our services and extras set up in HotelBuddy. The support from Kadi and Tanel was excellent—every question was answered promptly, making the process smooth and efficient."
Dace: "Our team was very enthusiastic about implementing this new solution and eager to get started. From a technical perspective, the HotelBuddy team was extremely professional, especially when it came to coordinating with our PMS provider, which was quite challenging. Although the integration process took longer than expected, the HotelBuddy team handled it professionally and ensured everything was set up correctly."
What improvements have you seen since implementing HotelBuddy?
Ineta: "Both guest experience and customer service have improved significantly. Check-in is much faster, giving guests more time to enjoy their stay. The pre-stay e-mail and registration process make guests feel expected and valued. It’s not just about saving time; it’s about enhancing the entire guest journey."
Jūlija: "The chat option is a real time-saver. Guests don’t need to call or visit the reception—they can simply send a message and receive a quick response. Whether booking a massage or asking for information, it’s much more efficient, and in today’s world, time is money."
What are guests saying about Hotelbuddy?
Ineta: "Shorter wait times and a more personalized approach have led to more positive reviews. Guests appreciate the smooth check-in process and the welcoming atmosphere. It’s great to see our efforts reflected in guest feedback."
Who would you recommend HotelBuddy to?
Ineta: "I believe HotelBuddy is a valuable tool for all hotels, especially larger ones that deal with high guest turnover. For hotels with many rooms and services, it really helps to manage operations efficiently and boost sales of extra services. We are very satisfied and would recommend it to any hotel looking to enhance both guest experience and operational efficiency."
Hotel Jurmala Spa