Premier Inn launches it's first fully self check-in hotel

By: Premier Inn | 7 Shares 240 Reads

'Speedy' check-in reduces wait to 1 minute

January 26, 2009 // Franchising.com // The UK's largest hotel chain, Premier Inn, has announced that they are launching their first fully self check-in hotel at St Mary's Gate, Sheffield, reducing check-in time to under a minute for guests.

The self check-in automated pods have already been successfully trialled at the London King's Cross Premier Inn; they allow guests to take complete control of their own booking when they arrive at the hotel. The check-in process currently takes an average of 8-10 minutes, but the new technology employed by Premier Inn will dramatically cut this time down.

Customer experience at Premier Inn will be even smoother as workstations will be housed in the reception area and manned by team members solely dedicated to helping guest enquiries. The kiosks self check-in will improve customer experience at Premier Inn as it will manage the more formal element of the check-in procedure, leaving the Premier Inn team free to focus on the needs of their guests.

Bob Cotton, Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association commented, "Its great to see Premier Inn investing in innovative technology. These kiosks will undoubtedly increase the level of service offered by Premier Inn - delivering a fast, efficient and speedier experience at check-in."

Sarah Simpson, Product and Service Manager for Premier Inn commented; 'Premier Inn checks in over 23,000 guests every day across the UK, and as the UK's leading hotel brand we continually innovate to meet the changing needs of our guests. Feedback has shown that business travellers like the time saving benefits that the kiosks provide, whilst leisure guests benefit not only from this but also from the increased accessibility, interaction and level of good service they have with team members at the guest workstation.'

Notes to Editors:

About Premier Inn ... Premier Inn is the UK's biggest and fastest-growing hotel brand with over 550 budget hotels and more than 38,000 rooms across the UK. Premier Inn bedrooms are 22m² and feature en-suite bathroom, TV, and internet access for business guests. Premier Inn offers customers a 'Good Night Guarantee' of a good quality room, comfortable surroundings and friendly service, which is unique amongst Britain's leading hotel chains.

Premier Inn was the first Britain-wide hotel group to sign up with national tourist board VisitBritain; this means Premier Inn is now part of a new quality assessment scheme, specially created for budget accommodation.

A joint venture with Emirates has seen the Premier Inn brand develop in the Gulf region, with its first budget hotel in Dubai in Spring 2008. Premier Inn also has a joint venture with Emar-MGF to roll out 80 budget hotels in India by 2017. On a domestic front, Premier Inn is set to be the largest provider of budget hotels in London by the time of the 2012 Olympics.

Premier Inn has been confirmed as the leading Economy brand in the JD Power European Economy Hotel Guest Satisfaction Survey 2008.

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