Pestana Hotel Group Accelerates Front Desk Efficiency by Up to 50% Through Hudini’s Innovative Staff Connect and Paperless Check-In Technology

Pestana Hotel Group is boosting front desk efficiency by up to 50% with Hudini’s innovative Staff Connect and paperless check-in technology. This digital upgrade streamlines the check-in process, enabling faster, smoother service while enhancing guest experience and sustainability.

Hudini, a trailblazer in digital transformation solutions for the hospitality industry, has embarked on a significant partnership with Pestana Hotel Group, Portugal’s largest multinational tourism company, to revolutionize guest arrivals by implementing an advanced digital check-in system. This collaboration marks a major step forward in modernizing the guest experience, with the initial phase deploying Hudini’s innovative Staff Connect platform across more than 30 Pestana hotels throughout Portugal.

A Strategic Move Toward Seamless Guest Arrivals

As the hospitality landscape becomes increasingly competitive, delivering a smooth and efficient check-in experience is crucial for hotel operators seeking to enhance guest satisfaction and operational efficiency. Pestana Hotel Group’s decision to adopt Hudini’s technology stems from a clear desire to elevate their front desk operations by eliminating common bottlenecks in the check-in process.

At the heart of this initiative lies Hudini’s Staff Connect, a cutting-edge digital platform designed to empower front desk associates by streamlining check-in workflows. The solution enables hotel staff to access and manage guest information effortlessly, reducing manual input errors and accelerating service times. For guests, this means less waiting and a more welcoming arrival experience.

Complementing Staff Connect is Hudini’s Sidecar, a guest-facing tablet that transforms the traditional check-in ritual. Instead of filling out paper forms, guests use the Sidecar to digitally enter their details, sign up for the Pestana Guest Club loyalty program, and complete registration efficiently. This not only simplifies the process but also aligns with sustainability goals by minimizing paper usage.

Pestana Hotel Group’s Expansive Footprint

Pestana Hotel Group is a powerhouse in the global tourism sector, managing over 100 hotels across 16 countries, boasting a portfolio of approximately 12,000 rooms. Each year, the group welcomes around 3.5 million guests through its four distinctive hotel brands: Pestana Hotels & Resorts, Pestana Pousadas de Portugal, Pestana Collection Hotels, and Pestana CR7 Lifestyle Hotels. Beyond its core hospitality operations, Pestana also ventures into tourism real estate, vacation clubs, golf facilities, and casino management.

This extensive reach highlights the critical need for uniform, scalable solutions that can improve service standards across multiple properties and diverse markets. Hudini’s platform, with its flexible architecture and integration capabilities, fits perfectly within Pestana’s vision for a digitally enabled future.

Rollout and Expected Benefits

The digital check-in transformation began in February 2025, with the rollout kicking off at the Pestana CR7 hotel in Lisbon, a flagship property that blends luxury accommodation with a vibrant lifestyle brand inspired by football culture.

Early indications suggest significant improvements in operational efficiency. By automating document scanning and integrating real-time updates to the Property Management System (PMS), Staff Connect grants front desk staff immediate access to verified guest data. This allows for quicker verification, fewer errors, and more personalized service.

One of the most compelling benefits anticipated from this deployment is a reduction in check-in times by up to 50%. Speedier check-ins not only enhance guest satisfaction but also free up staff to focus on delivering a more engaging and tailored customer experience.

The transition to a paperless process via digital registration cards aligns with sustainability commitments, reducing the environmental footprint of Pestana’s operations. Additionally, by encouraging guests to sign up for the Pestana Guest Club through the Sidecar, the group expects to boost loyalty program enrollment, thereby driving repeat business and deeper customer engagement.

Industry Impact

This digital check-in transformation reflects a broader trend across the hospitality industry, where digital tools and automation are reshaping guest interactions and operational workflows. The push for contactless technologies, accelerated by global health concerns and evolving guest expectations, has propelled hotels to rethink traditional check-in processes.

Solutions like Hudini’s Staff Connect and Sidecar provide a bridge between efficiency and personalization—two factors often seen as at odds. By automating routine tasks and digitizing data collection, staff can spend more time delivering personalized hospitality, creating a warm and memorable welcome for every guest.

Future Expansion and Possibilities

Given the positive outcomes expected in Portugal, Pestana Hotel Group is likely to consider expanding the Hudini-powered digital arrival experience to its properties worldwide. With over 100 hotels in diverse regions, the scalability of Hudini’s platform will enable Pestana to maintain consistent service excellence across its portfolio.

Moreover, as guest expectations continue to evolve, Hudini’s flexible solutions may integrate further innovations such as mobile check-in, digital keys, and AI-driven guest services—enhancing convenience while maintaining the human touch that defines great hospitality.

This partnership marks a significant leap forward in harnessing digital technology to redefine hotel arrivals. By combining operational efficiency with guest-centric innovation, Pestana is setting a new standard for hospitality excellence in Portugal and beyond.

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