4 Types of Hotel Kiosk Available in the Market in 2023

-Updated on 23rd May 2023-

The recent pandemic has taught us about the norm, especially on social distancing. Many businesses are now looking for technology that allows them to reduce human contact in order to avoid the spread of coronavirus diseases. Demand for safety and convenience by customers is also increasing. Hence,  self-service kiosks now are on the rise in the business industry.

Self-service kiosks have been widely used in many sectors including banks, restaurants, airports, and transportation, and now become a key important role in the tourism and hotel industries. Due to its functionalities and benefits, many hotels are now evaluating self-service kiosks to better prepare for the travel rebound. 

Besides bringing convenience and freedom to the hotel guests, it can also help to speed up the check-in and check-out process. Not just that, there are many more benefits when implementing self-service kiosks at hotels. If you are now looking for a smart hotel kiosk solution, here are the types of hotel kiosks available in the market that you should know. Different types of kiosks will give different kinds of experiences. Hence, choose wisely before you decide to deploy any of them.

1. Standing / Slim Kiosk

A standing or slim kiosk is the most commonly used in many businesses as they help to save time and operational costs. The name itself refers to its ability to stand up on its own. If you ever come across any self-service kiosk at popular restaurants such as McDonald's, or Burger King, they are actually using a standing kiosk to collect orders from the customers. Now, it becomes more popular among hotel businesses for self-check-in.

Standing Kiosk which is popular among hotels offers a completely automated replacement of the check-in and check-out process. It serves and guides the hotel guests from collecting the required reservation details, to room payment, and issuing room key cards without queuing and passing through the hotel front desk.   

A standing kiosk that's normally used in hotels is with touchscreen functionality.  Of course, the quality of the touch screen’s interface and the navigation functions will vary depending on the kiosk’s base software. Below are the details of the Standing Kiosk offered by Softinn. 

2. Vending / Hybrid Kiosk

Now, let's move to another type of hotel kiosk that's more advance than a standing kiosk. Vending Kiosk functions more similar to the digital standing kiosk, where it allows self-check-in, check-out, and issue room key cards. But, what makes this kiosk special from the rest of the ones that are available in the market?

This is the only kiosk that offers the convenience of self-check-in and out paired with the ability to upsell products bundled together in one machine. Hoteliers believe that this type of kiosk is way more cost-effective compared to hiring additional staff to manage guest check-in and out or handle payments. The name "vending" itself provides more revenue opportunities if you place it in your hotel lobby.

It is an automated machine that allows you to sell items like snacks, drinks,  tickets, or even face masks and hand sanitizers with cashless services. Not just that, a hotel can also promote add-on services through vending kiosks like tour packages and hotel F&B, the guests will be able to make their purchases and order at their convenience. With this, hotels may consider removing the midnight shift and reducing the cost of advertisement without worrying about the hotel's revenue.  Due to its specialty, it is known as a profit-making machine, 2 in 1 solution. 

3. Wall Mounted Kiosk 

Wall-mounted kiosks, as its name implies, are mounted to a wall surface and it has the same functions that a normal kiosk can do including the ability to collect payment. Designated for hotels that want to provide a large amount of information, but have a limitation of floor space. With the bigger screen, the hotel will have more opportunities to advertise and promote the hotel's packages with an "eye-catching" design. 

One thing to take note, a wall-mounted kiosk requires more time and effort to set up compared to any other kiosk in the market. But don't worry, if you choose the service provider wisely, they will be able to meet your requirement and needs. 

4. Tabletop Kiosk 

Typically the smallest kiosks are compared to the other three types of kiosks mentioned above. Tabletop Kiosks can be said widely use in the restaurant industry for self-ordering. It allows a customer to browse through the menu and place their order without interaction with the waitress and waiter. 

In the hotel industry, some of the hotels are using this type of kiosk to put at their main lobby for the guests to browse through information besides welcoming and check-in in guests. This type of kiosk solution will bring a contemporary touch and blend perfectly with the hotel's environment. 

Is a hotel self-service kiosk worth the investment?

When you are considering whether to buy or rent the self-service kiosk for your hotels, you will need to have a better and clear understanding of which type of kiosk that will give you the best especially in reducing the headcount cost and increasing the revenue for your hotel. 

Choose the company provider that will help explain to you clearly the functions, features, pricing, support, maintenance, and so on. The integration of Hotel PMS also should take into account so that the process of check-in and check-out will take place smoothly. 

Check out how Softinn Hotel Kiosk works. 

Interested to get a demo session for Softinn Hotel KIosk? Feel free to request a demo from here. 

Conclusion

After you have some input on the types of hotel kiosks that are available in the market, it is time for you to choose which type you would like to deploy to your hotel. Not to forget that there are many more things to consider before deciding to make any purchase like the kiosk software, the integration, the price, etc. 

If you're not sure where to start, here's an ultimate buying guide to Hotel Kiosk. Feel free to download the ebook and start to decide which kiosk to purchase that suits your business needs.