“The Temple Hotel is a small business; none of us are experts in technology. Getting local advice about the various types of technology we can use in the hotel has been invaluable. Not only will the occupancy improve, but our time will be spent much more effectively.” – Rachael Wheeler, The Temple Hotel.
Rachael Wheeler looks after all guest services at The Temple Hotel. The hotel has been running since the 1790s. When Chris Richardson took over the hotel nearly three years ago he was aware of the increasingly sophisticated needs of the customers staying at the hotel. He sought advice from various business advisors to ensure The Temple Hotel could offer the up to date technology that would meet these demands.
Bookings, entering customer details and compiling information for billing involves a great deal of manual input, which makes this aspect of Rachael’s job labour-intensive. After being introduced to various technology packages, The Temple Hotel is now considering installing software to enable all information to be organised at a touch of a button. Rachael says: “A new computerised booking and billing system would mean that everything can be completed with speed and accuracy.”
This will mean that not only the administration side of her job will become easier, but also that guests staying at the hotel will spend less time at reception when checking out and will find their stay made more pleasant by easier billing at all points.
Most guests these days expect internet access in their rooms. Due to this demand The Temple Hotel has been seeking advice on the best way to create internet access throughout the building. They were faced with the problem of thick, Georgian walls, which did not allow wireless devices to pass through. Working with the technology advisors, they are now close to finding the solution. Rachael comments, “We hope to have internet access in most rooms soon. I know it will improve the occupancy, as this is important to many guests.”
Rachael concludes: “The local business support we have received has been fantastic. They have helped us with a long term plan to better the hotel, which we all have confidence in.”