New impetus for the hotel industry

Häfele is investing in a strategic cooperation with Like Magic and remaining true to its guiding principle of “Maximising the value of space. Together.”

Nagold – 23.05.2024

Häfele, the hardware solutions, electronic locking systems, lighting and networking specialist based in the Black Forest, Germany, is stepping up its collaboration with Like Magic. The young Swiss company has
developed a digital platform that meets the requirements of hotel guests and hotel operators/owners in a secure and practical way using a single web app. Combining Like Magic’s software solution with Häfele’s
hardware systems facilitates innovative, multifunctional hotel concepts that enable operators to meet the complex challenges of the hospitality industry.

 

 

At the interzum and BAU 2023 trade fairs, Häfele and Like Magic joined forces to present a holistic room concept for the hotel industry under the motto “Maximising the value of space. Together.” Dubbed “Work ‘n’
Sleep”, the concept centres around a multifunctional hotel room. It enables investors and operators to achieve higher returns while improving sustainable utilisation at the same time. The room can be used as a
bedroom for customary night guests or as an office and meeting room for day guests thanks to digitally supported multi-letting functionality. What’s more, each guest can be offered additional chargeable services based on their individual needs. This function results in a lower entry price in terms
of marketing, which not only helps set the hotel apart from the competition, but also contributes to lower commission fees and enables simple customisation of the guest experience. 

 

Collaboration between Häfele and Like Magic: Work ‘n’ Sleep concept

Multifunctional furniture solutions are used in the Work ‘n’ Sleep rooms, implemented with Häfele fittings, so that the relevant room configuration can be provided without additional outlay. For example, thanks to
electronic locking, only a night guest is able to use the integrated bed. On the other hand, the convenient meeting table for up to six people is only available for day guests. All the accessories for the specific room
configurations are already available in the hotel room. What’s more, the room lighting adapts to the respective use scenario: whether it’s a relaxed evening atmosphere for night guests, lighting that is focussed on the desk
for work purposes or flicker-free LED light for video conferences. With the Work ‘n’ Sleep concept, investors and operators are able to market some of their most valuable space in two different ways.

To support the new business logic and facilitate multi-letting, Like Magic implemented the requisite PMS (Property Management System). A smartphone key gives guests access to all the areas and services they
have booked online. It is easy to find further information or book additional
services online at any time. RFID key cards are available as back-up solutions.

In short: Häfele’s expertise in furniture fittings, electronic locking systems
and lighting solutions dovetails perfectly with Like Magic’s expertise in the
hotel software sector. This applies to new buildings and to retrofits in
existing buildings in equal measure. 

 

For new and innovative hotels: MM:NT Berlin Lab

Together with Adina Hotels Europe, Häfele and Like Magic are implementing a sophisticated hotel concept in the MM:NT Berlin Lab that focuses specifically on what is really important to today’s modern travellers and eliminates everything that is unnecessary. Digitisation, sustainability, minimalism and a self-service model are seamlessly intertwined. Like Magic’s web-based mobile concierge app enhances the overall guest experience by allowing guests to check in, check out, open rooms, access common areas and communicate directly with staff digitally. Asli Kutlucan, Chief Executive Officer at Adina Europe, says: “Our theory is that there is a multitude of travellers, particularly Gen Z and millennials, who are open to new ways of interacting with hotel services.”

 

Integration into existing hotels: ibis Styles hotel in Nagold, Germany

‘Like Magic’ digital guest and operator experience could look like at the ibis Styles hotel in Nagold, Germany. “With our ideas for the hotel of the future, we are aiming to be a driving force for innovation in the hotel 
industry. We are trialling new concepts at the ibis Styles hotel in Nagold, Germany – with total conviction and with the added benefit of gaining valuable practical experience in order to refine our concepts,” says Gregor
Riekena, CEO of Häfele.
Once a guest has decided to stay at ibis Styles, they receive a personalised reminder after booking and shortly before arrival to check in online.
They receive this via the communication channel of their choice: email, text message, WhatsApp, etc. The room key is then sent to the guest’s smartphone. This saves time on arrival and allows guests to arrive
late when staff are not present. Guests can also use the digital key to enter the underground car park without having to register at reception first.
It is not necessary to download a native application to make use of these intuitive features: the guest has full access to them via a simple website link.
In future, ibis Styles guests in Nagold will also be able to access additional services in this way. “For example, we envisage providing our guests with varying regional offers, such as culinary recommendations, cultural
excursions or sporting activities, in addition to the usual additional services such as late check-out,” says Hotel Director Dr Thomas Leib. Operators are free to customise these additional sales services at any time. 

 

The often forgotten side of the coin: the operator’s perspective

Many of the hospitality apps on the market promise hotel guests a seamless experience throughout their guest journey. The Like Magic solution, however, also incorporates hotel employees and hotel operators
into the same software platform. For example, the Like Magic solution offers the operator a central overview of processes relating to marketing, pricing, booking, key allocation, billing, communication and much more.
This way, staff can find all the information relevant to their activities in one
central location, such as occupancy of the various room types, booking of additional services, any necessary cleaning staff and food and beverage planning. This enables the staff to focus entirely on the guests and not on
administrative tasks. And as soon as hotel guests start the digital booking process, the room, breakfast and staff planning can be carried out and easily amended at any time.
“Digitisation can solve the hospitality industry’s most pressing issues sustainably and for the benefit of all,” says Markus Feller, CEO of Like Magic. “After all, if they are used sensibly, digital solutions offer a way out
of the skills shortage because they take the pressure off employees, give them more time to interact with guests and ultimately make the job more appealing. They will then be in a position to improve the very thing that the
industry is all about: providing guests with a tailor-made stay. And in many cases, it is even possible to increase profitability.” 

 

The importance of software over hardware continues to grow in the
hospitality industry

The significance of efficient and seamless digital processes has increased considerably in the hospitality industry since the Covid-19 pandemic. This is due to increases in energy and IT costs, staff shortages on the labour market and rapidly changing travel and guest behaviour. There are also complex technical requirements for modern means of communication, for IT itself, for distribution, for IT security and for data protection regulations. Combined with Häfele room solutions, the Like Magic solution is the ideal
answer to such complex challenges.

 

Organisational cooperation

Like Magic emerged as a corporate venture from the SV Group, a renowned catering and hotel operator, and is now an independent company under Swiss law based in Dübendorf near Zurich. Häfele and
Like Magic operate independently on the market with Häfele Dialock as the locking system recommended by Like Magic and Like Magic as the platform solution recommended by Häfele for digital guest and operator
journeys.
Innovative room and furniture concepts such as Work ‘n’ Sleep are developed collaboratively and exclusively with perfectly harmonised solutions from both companies. 

Together with Adina Hotels Europe, Häfele and Like Magic are implementing a sophisticated hotel concept in the MM:NT Berlin Lab that focuses specifically on what is really important to today’s modern travellers and eliminates everything that is unnecessary. Digitisation, sustainability, minimalism and a self-service model are seamlessly intertwined. Hotel guests can check in and out easily and independently online with the web-based mobile concierge app from Like Magic. For the hotel operator, this means a significant reduction in staff requirements. Photo: Häfele 

 

Services can be booked digitally in the rooms at MM:NT Berlin Lab. For example, a coffee machine is concealed in the closet, which is locked using a Häfele Dialock solution. Once a booking is made, the lock is opened via the Like Magic web app and the extra services can be used. Photo: Häfele 

 

The drawers under the beds in the MM:NT Berlin Lab are also fitted with a Häfele furniture lock and can be unlocked using the Like Magic solution. The drawers provide additional storage space or can be used to store a yoga mat, for example. Photo: Häfele

 

 
In the semi-public areas of the MM:NT Berlin Lab, too, cabinet solutions that feature upgrades for hotel guests are provided and are controlled using the solution from Häfele and Like Magic. For instance, they can be used to store hygiene articles that the hotel guests can purchase, or a steamer for smoothing clothes, or sports equipment. Photo: Häfele

 

At the ibis Styles hotel in Nagold, Germany, Häfele and Like Magic demonstrate how a digital guest and operator journey can be implemented in day-to-day hotel operations. Photo: Häfele

 

The Like Magic solution enables hotel guests to check in at home or in the office after the booking process is complete and make settings in advance, for example how they want to communicate with the hotel later, for example by email, text message, WhatsApp, etc.
The room key is then sent to the guest’s smartphone. Photo: Häfele

 

Guests at the ibis Styles hotel in Nagold can use the digital key on their smartphone to enter the underground car park without having to register at reception first. It is not necessary to download a native application to make use of these intuitive features: the guest has full access to them via a simple link to the web app. Photo: Häfele

 

Combining Like Magic’s software solution with Häfele’s hardware systems in the manner done at the ibis Styles hotel in Nagold facilitates innovative, multifunctional hotel concepts that enable operators to meet the complex challenges of the hospitality industry. Photo: Häfele

 

Häfele and Like Magic operate independently on the market with Häfele Dialock as the locking system recommended by Like Magic and Like Magic as the platform solution recommended by Häfele for digital guest and operator journeys. Photo: Häfele

 

A smartphone key gives hotel guests access to all the areas and services they have booked online. For example, they can use multi-functional furniture solutions that are realised with Häfele fittings. An integrated additional bed, for instance, can be unlocked and used. Photo: Häfele

 

Ansprechpartnerin im Unternehmen 
Sarah Grünler
Tel.: +49 7452 95-510
E-Mail: sarah.gruenler@haefele.de

 

Ansprechpartner für Journalisten
Rainer Häupl
bering*kopal GbR, Büro für Kommunikation
Tel.: +49 711 74 51 759-16
rainer.haeupl@bering-kopal.de
www.bering-kopal.de

 

Weitere Informationen erhalten Sie bei
Häfele SE & Co KG, Postfach 1237,
D-72192 Nagold, Tel.: +49 7452 950,
Fax: +49 7452 95-200,
E-Mail: info@haefele.de