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Software Options for Operating a Mid-Sized Hotel?
curly_dan asks: "Can readers recommend any software packages suitable for a mid-sized hotel (100 rooms + restaurant + bar + function rooms) to use for checking guests in/out, billing, housekeeping, reservations, financial accounting and all other necessary functions for a busy hotel? Their existing system (which I don't want to name) is clunky, fails often, and the telephone support team seem unable to use or configure their own product and are frequently rude to the hotel staff. I'm interested in hearing the experiences on the software packages those of you in this business have encountered."
When I worked at a hotel (65 rooms, no restaurant), we used a product called Check-Inn. It had all of the features you mentioned, and was fairly decent. It wasn't awesome, but it wasn't too expensive, either. IIRC, they could do internet reservations in the latest release (which we weren't running).
While it is aimed at residential colleges, it offers functionality for billing, events/functions, room allocations and a bit more. Having been involved in a company which uses it, it's ok, except that users need local administrative privileges.
Check it out here: www.starnetsystems.com.au
Be warned, it's fairly expensive, but probably not prohibitively so.
www.fearthecow.net
You'll want to make sure that the new system interacts correctly and usefully with the hotel's phone system. Depending on that system, it could reduce the number of choices rather dramatically.
Try Corewar @ www.koth.org - rec.games.corewar
Don't ask software geeks what's the best software for running a hotel. We may know software, but we know shit about hotels. You should ask other hoteliers.
free download to play with, never used anything better
Hands down THE BEST software if you like to run a hotel.. bar.. integrates nicely..lots of add ons, evey serialed upgrade has just rocked with wish fullfillment.. the forum is good for 'how do i's although the owner/author/president can get snippy when he feels a post just isn't appropriate....
www.innquest.com
I've worked days inn, marriott, best western, one holiday inn briefly, and three independents, innquest rocks..
you can create custom confirmation letters that adjust to the details of the bookings, with variables you set and using boolean logic.
try it.. I can't tell you enough how much I think it rocks. yes- I'll gladly be known as a innquest fanboy...
every day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
There was a wonderful looking, easy to use system documented a while ago on The Daily WTF. It was even shown to have a truly elegant architecture. Check it out, you'll definitely be surprised!
Solution to blink tags: wrap them in another blink tag, with a javascript delay loop, so they cancel each other out
Mrs Richards: Now. I've reserved a very quiet room, with a bath and a sea view. I specifically asked for a sea view in my written confirmation, so please make sure I have it.
Manuel: Qué?
Mrs Richards: What?
Manuel: Qué?
Mrs Richards: "K"?
Manuel: Sí.
Mrs Richards: "C"?
[Manuel nods.]
Mrs Richards: "KC"?
[Manuel looks puzzled.]
Mrs Richards: "KC"? What are you trying to say?
Manuel: No, no-no-no. "Qué" "what".
Mrs Richards: "K what"?
Manuel: Sí! "Qué" "what"!
Mrs Richards: "C.K. Watt"?
Manuel: Yes.
Mrs Richards: Who is C.K. Watt?
Manuel: Qué?
Mrs Richards: Is it the manager, Mr Watt?
Manuel: Oh, manager!
Mrs Richards: He is.
Manuel: Ah Mr Fawlty!
Mrs Richards: What?
Manuel: Fawlty.
Mrs Richards: What are you talking about, you silly little man?!
[She turns to hotel maid Polly.]
Mrs Richards: What is going on here? I ask him for my room, and he tells me the manager's a "Mr Watt", aged forty.
Manuel: No, no. Fawlty.
Mrs Richards: Faulty? What's wrong with him?
Polly: It's alright, Mrs Richards. He's from Barcelona.
"I'm going to f***ing bury that guy, I have done it before, and I will do it again. I'm going to f***ing kill Google"