The Don CeSar Hotel Debuts Mobile App to Connect with Guests

With the pandemic shifting how people travel, hotels have been hard at work finding new ways to interact with guests. The Don CeSar, a historic, independent property on Florida’s Gulf Coast known as the Pink Palace®, found that a mobile app was the best way for it to connect with customers.  The app, created in partnership with InnSpire, interfaces with the hotel’s POS, as well as other software programs including Saflok (for digital keys), HotSOS for guest requests, and Helix/Micrometrics for guest texting. Plus, guests can use the app for mobile check-in, access fitness class schedules, as well as view and pay their bill before checkout. This integration with a variety of software programs means that guests have a highly personalized and easy experience when interacting with the hotel.

“For example, the Helix service allows our front desk staff to obtain a cell number from guests upon arrival so that guests can communicate/request things from the hotel staff during their stay,” says Thomas Fraher, General Manager. “Guests will first receive a welcome message which then allows guests to reply to it with inquiries. The platform can also send a mid-stay ‘checkup’ message to the guest, as well as a pre-departure message to offer any additional assistance and check on guest satisfaction.”

Guests can even use the mobile app to order pool and beachside F&B options that can then be delivered directly to their location. How do servers know where they are? Guests geo-tag their location on a digital map which then guides servers to them. The hotel is also in the process of adding a feature to the app that will provide guests with remote printing capabilities.

“Guests will be able to send an email/attachment from their phone to our business center for printing,” adds Fraher. “Once the print job is submitted, the guest is provided a multi-digit print job release code, and then they can go to the business center workstation at their leisure to enter the release code to receive their print outs.”