👋 Hi there! I'm Christlynn, the Senior Customer Success Consultant at Smarthotel. Each day, I collaborate with hotel teams, and as we near the year's end, one common thought surfaces:

“We want to begin the new year stronger, but we don’t have time for significant changes right now.”

The good news? You don’t need a complete overhaul to see results! A few smart updates can make a difference: 

• Offer a variety of budget, mid-range, and premium options to meet diverse traveller needs. 

• Suggest additional services or upgrades during the booking process, like room upgrades, meals, or activities. 

• Utilize our Pay Now or Pay Later functionality, giving guests the flexibility to pay in advance or at the hotel, with pre-arrival payment links available. 

Now is the ideal time to refine the digital foundation your team will depend on throughout 2026. Here's a strategic checklist to guide your decisions. 

Booking Engine: Make Direct Bookings Easy 

When reviewing Booking Engines with hotel teams, I've often found opportunities to enhance the guest journey with a few smart tweaks. Small improvements can make guests feel more confident and excited about completing their bookings. Some quick wins include: 

• Feature your most enticing packages front and centre. 

• Implement an Early Booker package with a minimum advance stay requirement, encouraging guests to secure their rooms early at a great rate. 

• Offer discounts for returning guests to reward loyalty and promote direct bookings through your website. 

• Integrate Google Hotel Ads into your marketing strategy to boost visibility on Google searches, making it easier for potential guests to discover your hotel and compare rates. 

Website: Turn Interest into Revenue 

Your website sets the stage before a guest clicks “book.” I always ask hotel teams: 

• Does your website reflect your current identity? 

• Are your packages clear and easy to find? 

• Is your messaging encouraging direct bookings? 

When your website content aligns with the Booking Engine, hotels typically see fewer drop-offs and increased direct conversions. 

Channel Manager: Ensure Visibility and Rate Confidence 

Your Channel Manager plays a crucial role in how guests find you online. A well-functioning Channel Manager ensures consistency and prevents unexpected surprises for both guests and your team. I often spot excellent offers on hotel websites that don’t get correctly communicated to OTAs. A quick review can prevent issues. Be sure to check on: 

• Rate parity and competitive positioning. 

• Accurate mapping of packages and room types to avoid overbookings. 

• Consistent booking restrictions across all channels. 

• Manual tasks that could be automated, like setting up base rates for simpler updates. 

The goal is clear: avoid any disconnects between where guests find you and how they book. 

Payments: Simplify the Process for Everyone 

Payments might not be the most thrilling aspect of hotel operations, but they play a critical role in guest confidence and staff workload. Here are some effective updates to consider: 

• Automate virtual credit card (VCC) handling. 

• Set up automatic pay links for booking channels without online payment options, sending guests an email with your hotel's branding. 

• Clearly communicate deposit rules and policies on your booking engine. 

• Familiarize yourself with our Online Payment Studio (OPS) for easier daily reporting and manual link creation. 

When payment processes run smoothly, everyone benefits, especially your Front Office team. Smarthotel can deliver deposits directly to many of our integrated PMS systems, simplifying operations for both your Front Office and Accounting teams. 

PMS Integrations: Ensure Smooth Operations 

As I always say, your systems are only as strong as the information flowing between them. A successful year starts with accurate data across your tech ecosystem. Check for: 

• Alignment of room types, rate plans, and availability. 

• Error-free syncing to eliminate discrepancies. 

• Clear identification of where data is updated. 

• Efficient handovers between departments. 

Better data integrity means fewer surprises and a smoother experience for everyone involved. 

Small Updates Now = A Stronger Start to 2026 

These improvements don’t require large projects, just some focused attention. Together, they can help hotel teams: 

• Save time and minimize manual tasks 

• Increase direct bookings 

• Provide a consistently excellent guest experience 

If you’d like assistance reviewing any of these areas as we move into the new year, I’m here to help! Tip from Chris: When in doubt, always reach out. ✨ We’re here to support you. Reach out through our contact form, and let’s make 2026 your best year yet! 

Christlynn Attard 
Senior Customer Success Consultant, Smarthotel