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The pandemic greatly affected the work of small hosts, and many of them, in order to protect their own health, the health of their family members, and also that of their guests, introduced self-check-in for guests. Some will continue with this practice this year as well, because they felt relief in their business operations compared to the stress and hours-long waiting for guests who got stuck in traffic jams.
On the other hand, Croatian hosts are, in the true sense of the word, known for personally welcoming their guests and greeting them with a welcome gift, cakes, an aperitif, and some even with lunch. This practice has generated many satisfied guests who gladly return precisely because of the hospitality they felt at the first meeting with the host, so it is not surprising that long-time hosts find it difficult to decide on the self-check-in option.
Still, self-check-in has its advantages, and contact with the host does not necessarily have to be completely excluded. Below, we will look in more detail at the advantages of self-check-in, to give you an idea of how you can make your business easier.
What is self-check-in?
Self-check-in means allowing the guest to enter the property they have booked independently, at any time of their arrival. In other words, the guest is either left the property keys in a safe place, usually in a self-check-in lockbox, or receives a code for a smart lock when they arrive at the location.
In most cases, the self-check-in option involves a certain cost, that is, an investment in a smart lock or a key box with a combination. Some hosts rely on neighbours and leave them the keys, which guests personally collect upon arrival, but for that option you need to be sure that the guest will arrive at a reasonable time and that the neighbour will be at home when the guest arrives.
The self-check-in option is mostly used by hosts who do not live in the same place where they rent out their holiday home or apartment, or who have fixed working hours and cannot leave work to personally welcome the guest. However, there are more and more of those who do not use this option out of necessity, but because they have recognized the advantages of self-check-in, which is also becoming a standard worldwide.
Why choose the self-check-in option?
It saves time for both the host and the guest
The host no longer has to wait, sometimes for hours, for the guest to arrive, and the guest does not have to wait for the host to return to the property location if they are late compared to the agreed time because of traffic or other reasons.
Flexibility in planning
Self-check-in gives both the guest and the host flexibility. The guest, knowing that the keys will be waiting for them whenever they arrive at the location, can stop along the way, go for lunch, go to the sea, and do all of that before actually arriving at the property. The same applies to the host, who can organize their day as they wish instead of adjusting other tasks to the guest’s arrival time at the location.
Trust in the guest
The self-check-in option also shows that you trust your guests. In many cases, this has encouraged guests to take good care of the property during their stay.
Less stress
Waiting always creates stress, especially if you expect guests late in the evening or at night. Guests will also be less tense knowing that they will not need to wake you up or hope that you are really awake so you can open the door and let them into the property they booked.
Privacy upon arrival
Some guests, after a long journey, like to jump into the pool and relax first, and only then slowly unpack. But while the host is with them, they are unlikely to relax immediately. Self-check-in allows guests to relax as soon as they arrive at the property in the way they want and prefer.
Convenience for last-minute bookings
Last-minute bookings for the same day are more common with apartments than with holiday homes, especially with smaller-capacity properties. A booking can arrive literally within one hour of the guests’ arrival. If the apartment is ready and the keys are also ready in the self-check-in lockbox, it is enough to direct the guests to the location, and the host does not have to change their plans for that day.
Safety measures and health protection
As we already mentioned in the introduction of the article, many people opted for self-check-in in 2020, during the first pandemic tourist season. Many guests were grateful to hosts for this because at the first meeting they did not have to wear masks, gloves, keep physical distance, or ultimately risk their own health. The situation has changed significantly since then, so masks and gloves are no longer needed, but the fear of infection is still present for many people. By providing the self-check-in option for entering the property, you also give guests that sense of security, which is still very important to many of them.
Is there a third option?
Once they have experienced the advantages of self-check-in, many hosts do not want to go back to the “old way,” that is, personally welcoming guests. Still, some guests continue to look for exactly that kind of approach. What can you do?
Option 1
In communication with guests before arrival, you can offer them the self-check-in option, if you have the conditions for it, such as a smart lock, a key box, or some third option, or a personal welcome. By giving the guest the possibility to choose according to their own preferences, you also show them that you care about them feeling comfortable and safe upon arrival.
Option 2
If the self-check-in option suits you best because of the flexibility it offers upon arrival, both for you and for the guest, but a personal meeting with the guest is very important to you, you can agree with the guests that you will visit them, for example the next day, in order to check whether everything is fine, whether they have settled in, and whether they need anything else. With such a gesture, you show that, as a host, you care that they feel pleasant and comfortable with you, while at the same time giving them privacy and flexibility upon arrival.
Communication with the guest is significantly easier if the guest booked the accommodation directly through your website.
Make your business easier today!
