Hotelbird
Hotelbird is a Munich-based B2B SaaS company founded in 2015 that provides a unified guest experience platform (digital check-in/out, wallet keys, payments, communication, upselling) for European hotels and hotel groups, primarily in the DACH region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersMünchen, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Hotelbird does
Hotelbird GmbH is a Munich-based B2B SaaS provider founded in 2015 by Juan A. Sanmiguel (CEO) and Korbinian Hackl (CTO) that sells a unified guest experience platform to hotels and hotel groups across Europe, with a DACH concentration. The platform bundles seven integrated modules — digital check-in/out, NFC-based wallet keys (Apple/Google Wallet), automated multilingual guest communication, payment processing, upselling, digital guest directory, and door opening — into a single workflow. The technology is differentiated by deep, end-to-end integrations with leading PMS (Oracle OPERA Cloud, Apaleo), payment service providers (Adyen, Nexi, Worldline), and door locking systems (ASSA ABLOY, dormakaba, Salto, Messerschmitt), which the company positions as the deepest such stack in European hospitality-tech.
The business model combines SaaS subscriptions, transaction-based payment processing fees, and revenue participation from upselling flows. Hotelbird runs an enterprise sales-led go-to-market, with "Book a Demo" as the primary conversion mechanism, targeting both multi-property hotel groups (where standardized templates and centralized configuration are emphasized) and individual hotels (where self-service and terminal-based check-in are the focus). Marketing is built around content, case studies (e.g., JAZ in the City Amsterdam, Koncept Hotels, SMARTments), and co-marketing with strategic partners. Disclosed operating metrics include 133,315 connected hotel rooms, 95% pre-check-in rates among customers, 8 minutes time savings per guest, and a 24-hour deployment window.
Hotelbird is a founder-led private company (Hotelbird GmbH, HRB 217855, Munich) with approximately 20-25 employees, an active careers pipeline, and a named customer base spanning Motel One, Koncept Hotels, SMARTments, Falkensteiner, H World, Althoff, and others. The company raised approximately $3.87M in November 2019 from Apeiron Investment Group, BayBG Venture Capital, BitStone Capital, and Hannover Finanz; no subsequent funding rounds are disclosed, and the company is GDPR-compliant with a partial BITV 2.0 accessibility self-assessment.
Hotelbird firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hotelbird
- Legal name
- Hotelbird GmbH
- Website
- https://hotelbird.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hotelbird is a Munich-based B2B SaaS company founded in 2015 that provides a unified guest experience platform (digital check-in/out, wallet keys, payments, communication, upselling) for European hotels and hotel groups, primarily in the DACH region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hotelbird industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hotel Guest Experience Software
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Check-in/Check-out & Keyless Entry (THALACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Guest Experience & Engagement (CRM, Messaging, Loyalty) (THALACAF)
Keywords
Where Hotelbird is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- München
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hotelbird business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- SaaS Platform Subscription: Subscription-based access to Hotelbird's guest experience platform with modules for check-in/out, wallet keys, guest communication, payment, upselling, and digital guest directory.
- Transaction-based Payment Processing: Integrated payment flows through PSP partnerships (Adyen, Nexi, Worldline) that generate transaction fees as part of the guest payment journey.
- Upselling Revenue Share: Automated upselling capabilities that generate additional ancillary revenue for hotels through controlled offers during the guest journey.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Hotelbird product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hotelbird provides a unified SaaS Guest Experience Platform that automates hotel operations through deep end-to-end integrations with Property Management Systems (PMS), payment service providers (PSP), and door locking systems. The platform enables digital check-in/out, mobile wallet room keys (NFC), integrated payment processing, automated guest communication, upselling, and digital guest directories for hotel groups and individual hotels.
Product overview
Hotelbird is a unified Guest Experience Platform for automated hotel operations. The platform consists of a core suite of integrated modules including Digital Check-In/Out, Guest Communication, Wallet Keys (with NFC support for Apple/Google Wallet), Payment processing, and Upselling, supplemented by add-on modules for Digital Guest Directory, Door Opening, and flexible check-in Channels. The platform is designed to eliminate manual reception work through deep end-to-end integrations with leading PMS (Oracle OPERA Cloud, Apaleo), door access systems (ASSA ABLOY, dormakaba, Salto, Messerschmitt), and payment providers (Adyen, Nexi, Worldline). The architecture is built around a hospitality-specific tech stack that connects hotels' core systems into a consistent workflow across all properties, delivering a 95% pre-check-in rate and 8 minutes time savings per guest.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 95% Pre-Check-In Rate achieved by hotel customers
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Hotelbird
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hotelbird technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration22 records
AI capability5 records
Feature7 records
Hotelbird partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- AdyencoreAdyen is one of the world's leading payment providers. Through a long-standing partnership, Hotelbird enables secure and seamless payments throughout the entire guest journey with a wide range of payment methods, both online and on-site.
- ApaleocoreApaleo is a next-generation PMS and one of Hotelbird's earliest integration partners. Together they enable a fully digital guest experience from check-in to invoicing based on a modern API-based approach.
- ASSA ABLOYcoreASSA ABLOY is a leading global provider of access solutions and Hotelbird's primary partner for secure, contactless room access. The integration is deeply embedded in the check-in process, supporting fully automated and reliable guest access.
- dormakabacoredormakaba is a leading provider of smart access and security solutions. The collaboration enables fully automated check-in and room access through a combination of proven hardware and intuitive technology for guests.
- NexicoreNexi is one of Europe's leading payment service providers. The partnership offers fast, secure, and flexible payment options seamlessly integrated into the guest journey, whether via app, terminal, or at reception.
- OraclecoreOracle is one of the world's most established PMS platforms. With a modern, API-based integration, Hotelbird brings a fully digital guest journey to Oracle hotels for more use cases than ever before.
- Salto SystemscoreSalto Systems is a pioneer in electronic access solutions. The integration enables seamless and secure room access via mobile key or PIN code for maximum flexibility, security, and convenience for guests and staff.
- WorldlinecoreWorldline is a leading provider of payment solutions in Europe. The partnership enables secure, reliable, and seamlessly integrated payment processing throughout the entire guest journey, whether via terminal, app, or online prepayment.
- HRS Hospitality & Retail SystemssupportingHRS is an established provider of digital solutions for the hospitality industry. The partnership ensures seamless processes, greater efficiency in daily hotel operations, and a consistent digital guest experience.
- Aventra HospitalitysupportingAventra Hospitality is a boutique hospitality management and advisory firm with a vision to redefine industry standards beyond the 5-star experience. They support clients and hotels in delivering a seamless digital guest journey with Oracle OPERA Cloud.
- Martin Becker GmbHsupportingMartin Becker GmbH is Germany's oldest Oracle partner in the hospitality sector, supporting hotels with comprehensive IT solutions from a single source. Together they help clients set up fully automated hotel operations.
- MesserschmittsupportingMesserschmitt is one of the world's leading providers of hardware and software solutions for access control in the hospitality industry. The integration enables secure and convenient room access seamlessly embedded in existing digital processes.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hotelbird competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Apaleo: API-first open PMS platform and Hotelbird's earliest integration partner. Apaleo's open ecosystem and developer posture overlap directly with Hotelbird's target buyer, and Apaleo could expand into adjacent guest-experience layers.
- Hotelkit: Hotel operations and internal communication platform used by European hotel groups. Adjacent but overlapping buyer (multi-property operations teams) and increasingly bundles guest-facing features.
- Mews: Cloud-native PMS and guest experience platform competing head-to-head with Hotelbird in automated check-in/out, payments, and digital guest journey. Both target hotel groups and individual hotels in Europe with API-first, modern architectures.
- Cloudbeds: All-in-one hospitality management suite including PMS, booking engine, and guest experience tools. Acquired Whistle (mobile check-in/key) — directly overlapping Hotelbird's core check-in and mobile key modules.
Broad incumbents
- Oracle Hospitality (OPERA Cloud): One of the largest installed PMS bases globally and a Hotelbird core integration partner. Oracle's enterprise customer base overlaps with Hotelbird's group customers, and OPERA's roadmap could compress the value of integrations over time.
- dormakaba: Major provider of smart access and security solutions for hotels and a Hotelbird core partner. dormakaba's mobile access and integrated property solutions overlap with Hotelbird's door opening and wallet key capabilities.
- ASSIA ABLOY Hospitality (Vingcard): Global leader in hotel door locking systems and Hotelbird's primary access partner. ASSA ABLOY's mobile key and digital access products overlap with Hotelbird's Wallet Keys module and could be bundled into vertically integrated offerings.
- Shiji Group: Global enterprise hospitality technology provider with PMS, POS, and guest experience platforms serving large hotel groups. Competes with Hotelbird at the enterprise end of the European hotel market.
Emerging players
- Virdee: Digital check-in, mobile key, and guest verification platform serving hotels and multifamily. Direct overlap with Hotelbird's check-in/out and wallet key modules, particularly for contactless guest arrival.
Regional players
- Bnovo: Hotel management and guest experience software primarily serving European independent hotels and small chains. Overlaps with Hotelbird's individual-hotel segment and DACH-adjacent markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hotelbird social profiles
Digital presenceHotelbird compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Hotelbird financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hotelbird leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Hotelbird funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hotelbird M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hotelbird
What does Hotelbird do?
Hotelbird provides a unified SaaS Guest Experience Platform that automates hotel operations through deep end-to-end integrations with Property Management Systems (PMS), payment service providers (PSP), and door locking systems. The platform enables digital check-in/out, mobile wallet room keys (NFC), integrated payment processing, automated guest communication, upselling, and digital guest directories for hotel groups and individual hotels.
Is Hotelbird a public or private company?
Hotelbird is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Hotelbird founded?
Hotelbird was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hotelbird based?
Hotelbird is headquartered in München, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Hotelbird make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. SaaS Platform Subscription is the primary driver. The others are transaction-based Payment Processing and upselling Revenue Share.
Who are Hotelbird's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Apaleo, Hotelkit, Mews and Cloudbeds. Broad incumbents are Oracle Hospitality (OPERA Cloud), dormakaba, ASSIA ABLOY Hospitality (Vingcard) and Shiji Group. Virdee is listed as an emerging player. Bnovo is listed as a regional player.
Does Hotelbird have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hotelbird.
What industry is Hotelbird in?
Hotelbird's product category is Hotel Guest Experience Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THALACAG, Digital Check-in/Check-out & Keyless Entry, with a secondary code of THALACAF, Guest Experience & Engagement (CRM, Messaging, Loyalty). Its SIC code is 7373.