The concept, dubbed ‘Work and Sleep’, will enable hotel operators to quickly adapt bedrooms into offices, meeting rooms and other functional spaces by using digitally-enabled furniture, fitting solutions and advanced software.
The partnership will combine Like Magic’s comprehensive guest and employee experience platform with Häfele’s advanced hardware systems. The collaboration aims to introduce new revenue models by activating rooms that would otherwise remain vacant, all while reducing outfitting costs.
‘Work and Sleep’ rooms allow for seamless room reconfiguration without additional costs. For example, electronic locking ensures that only night guests can access the integrated bed, while meeting tables remain only accessible to day guests who have booked it.
Other cutting-edge innovations include lighting technology which automatically adjusts to the intended use of the room, from creating a relaxed atmosphere for hotel guests staying overnight to flicker-free lighting during the day for video conferences.
Guests can also use Like Magic’s web-based app to independently access extra amenities. For example, they can unlock a coffee machine cabinet with Häfele electronic locks and access upgrades like additional cabinet spaces, sports equipment and clothes steamers using a smartphone key powered by Like Magic.
Like Magic and Häfele are taking their partnership to boutique concept and conventional hotels, such as the ibis Styles hotel in Nagold, Germany, which has incorporated the platform’s smartphone-enabled keyless room technology. Powered by Like Magic, future guests will be offered more personalized services such as regional culinary recommendations, cultural excursions, and sporting activities, alongside traditional services like late check-out.
Gregor Riekena, CEO of Häfele, said: “Our goal is to lead the way in hotel industry innovation with our forward-thinking concepts. We are currently testing these new ideas at the ibis Styles Hotel in Nagold, Germany, which serves as a valuable proving ground for our initiatives.
“This innovation not only allows us to gather essential insights and refine our concepts, but also demonstrates our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what modern hotels can offer. By continuously evolving and enhancing our solutions, we aim to set new standards for guest experience and operational efficiency.”
Markus Feller, CEO of Like Magic, said: “By combining our comprehensive digital platform with Häfele’s advanced hardware solutions, we are creating a best-in-class blueprint for the future of hospitality.
“Digitization can solve the hospitality industry’s most pressing issues and increase profitability. When used strategically, digital solutions can alleviate skills shortages by reducing the pressure on employees, allowing them more time to interact with guests, and ultimately making their jobs more appealing. This allows staff to enhance the industry’s core objective which is to deliver tailored and high-quality experiences to guests.”
Like Magic’s platform brings a booking engine, guest platform, employee interface and monitoring tools all into one place, creating a center of operations for hotel management. This unlocks a completely digital guest journey for guests if they prefer.
In addition to enabling staff to perform 80% of their daily tasks from one single system, Like Magic also allows guests to carry out a range of actions without staff assistance.
These range from checking in, ordering food, requesting additional linen or pillows, and creating keyless room passes – requiring only a smartphone.
The platform allows staff to run operations using a traffic light system of notifications and recommended actions, making the whole process of customer service and property management much more automated.
IMAGE CAPTION: A smartphone key powered by Like Magic unlocks Häfele multi-functional furniture. Photo: Häfele
