Southern Sun’s Garden Court eliminates queues with innovative self check-in and check-out facilities.

In February Southern Sun Garden Court Sandton City, will launch Africa’s very first hotel self check-in and check-out kiosks.

“A great day begins and ends with a great stay,” says Priya Naidoo General Manager of Communications at Southern Sun. “Southern Sun’s extensive guest research has pin-pointed that today’s traveller is pushed for time. We are delighted to provide an alternative, time-saving check-in and check-out service for our business guests and for families travelling with children, where a speedy check-in is always fundamental.”

This innovative technology at Southern Sun Garden Court Sandton City, reinforces the group’s brand philosophy of being a vanguard of hospitality innovation. More and more consumers are embracing technologies geared towards self-service. Managing Director of Southern Sun; Graham Wood says “Our guests already use self check-in facilities at airports and the movies, and at economy, economy plus and brand hotels overseas. Generally, they welcome technology that enables them to ‘do it themselves’ – not to mention quickly.”

The kiosk allows guests to check-in and out and to perform certain in-house functions within the hotel environment. The touch screen application facilitates easy interaction. To use the self check-in service, guests simply identify themselves at the kiosk with a reservation number or credit card, for example. The kiosk integrates with the hotel’s operational system, allocates a room, authorises a debit or credit and dispenses a room key card. Through a similar identification process, it also allows guests to check-out, charging to a debit or credit card, or billing back to the guest’s company or travel agent.

“The self-service environment permits guests to make choices at their own pace. It instills a sense of control, provides a quick service and maintains privacy. For those who prefer anonymity, self check-in is the perfect vehicle,” Wood explains.