When we built the Virtus Guest Service App, our goal was to bridge the gap between back-of-house efficiency and front-of-house hospitality. We saw hotel staff juggling complex job management tasks while guests waited in long lines at the front desk. This prompted us to build Pre Check-in: a seamless way for guests to handle the paperwork of their stay before they even step into the lobby.
Pre Check-in is available today as a new module within the Virtus Guest Service App. It transforms the traditional, often bottlenecked arrival process into a digital journey that feels as intuitive as checking in for a flight.
From Paperwork to Personalization
In a traditional arrival, the first interaction a guest has is often behind a plexiglass barrier, waiting for documents to be photocopied. Pre Check-in changes the dynamic. By moving the administrative burden to the guest’s own device, you reclaim the lobby as a space for a warm welcome.
The process is built on four simple, digital steps:
Secure Document Scanning: Using high-accuracy OCR, guests scan their IDs or passports (including HK/Macau travel documents). The data is instantly matched with your PMS.
Digital Terms & Conditions: Guests review policies and accept terms with a tap, ensuring compliance without the paper trail.
Verified Contact Capture: We digitize the collection of emails and phone numbers, allowing your marketing team to build robust loyalty programs with clean, verified data.
Mobile E-Signature: A quick signature on their screen generates the registration card instantly.
The Bridge to Better Service
The journey doesn’t stop at the signature. One of the most powerful features of this update is what happens the moment the guest finishes their Pre Check-in.
Immediately upon completion, Virtus sends an automated welcome email and instant message to the guest. This isn't just a confirmation; it is a prompt for further service delivery. This message serves as a direct link to the full Guest Service App, inviting guests to explore your offerings before they even arrive.
Through this "digital concierge," guests can:
Pre-purchase items: Order a breakfast buffet or travel essentials.
Book services: Schedule a spa session or airport transfer in just three clicks.
Communicate instantly: Use the Multi-Lingual Instant Messaging module to ask questions in the language they are most comfortable with.
By prompting these services early, hotels can earn extra income and ensure that by the time the guest walks through the door, their preferences are already known and their requests are already in motion.
Stay in Control
As with our Job Management System, security is at the core of Pre Check-in. You choose exactly which folders and data points the system can access. Claude-powered automation within the Virtus ecosystem ensures that document extraction is handled with the highest level of encryption, and guests are always asked for explicit consent before their data is processed for marketing loyalty programs.
Looking Forward
This is more than just a digital form; it is a fundamental shift in how hotels operate. By automating the "processing" of a guest, you empower your staff to focus on the "service."
We are rolling out Pre Check-in to all Virtus Guest Service App users starting today. As we continue to evolve, we look forward to adding even more "one-click" features to help you turn one-time visitors into lifelong guests.
Ready to transform your arrival experience? Request a Demo to learn how to activate the Pre Check-in module.