What indie-hotels does

indie-hotels (legal entity: indie services GmbH, headquartered at Marktgasse 20, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland) is a privately held, founder-led B2B coaching and services platform serving independent hotels across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Founded as a network of four hospitality professionals — Sven Häberlin (Online Marketing & Social Media), Nicoletta Müller (Innovation, Sales & Marketing), Melissa Gasser (Graphic & Web Design), and Michael Böhler (Hotel Management), with Elisabeth Erber managing the office — the company positions itself as the antithesis of a hotel chain: member hotels retain full operational independence and brand identity while benefiting from chain-like collective purchasing, marketing, and technology resources.

The platform's core offering is the "indie Abo" annual subscription at CHF 1,950/year, which bundles access to procurement pools (Food, Non-Food, IT, insurance), annual support, webinars, workshops, the annual indie Camp, and a 30+ partner ecosystem (Apaleo, Straiv, LIKE MAGIC, DialogShift, RoomPriceGenie, GauVendi, Schwob AG, Bureau Schneider, HotelFinance, Mews, SUM Hospitality, and others). Above this base, the company offers modular recurring services ranging from Remote Reception (from CHF 100/room/month) and Remote Revenue Management (from CHF 500/month) to Social Media management (from CHF 800/month), plus tiered Hotel-Tech-Services (Light/Standard/Plus) and a comprehensive white-label management package ("indie hotel services 360°") priced at CHF 69,000 implementation plus CHF 19,500/month.

Commercially, indie-hotels does not develop proprietary software but acts as a curator and facilitator of third-party hotel technology solutions, recommending and integrating them for its ~80+ member hotels. Go-to-market is sales-led, augmented by content marketing (10+ webinars annually, blog, newsletter), event-driven engagement (indie Camp, innovation workshops), LinkedIn organic presence, and partner referrals. Revenue mechanics are predominantly subscription and recurring services, with auto-renewal on the Abo (cancellation by September 30) and longer contracts on premium engagements. The company is bootstrapped, with no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and no subsidiaries.

Name

indie-hotels

Legal name

indie services GmbH

Website

https://indie-hotels.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

indie-hotels is a Zürich-based B2B platform and subscription network that provides coaching, procurement pools, digital tools, and peer networking to ~80+ independent hotels in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospitality Consulting Services

akta.pro primary industry

Independent Budget & Limited-Service Hotels (THAGABAN)

Keywords

• Independent hotel network
• Hospitality consulting
• Hotel digitalization services
• Hotel revenue management
• Hotel coaching training

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. indie Abo (Annual Membership Subscription): The primary revenue stream is an annual subscription called the 'indie Abo' priced at CHF 1,950 per year. This subscription bundles purchasing pools, annual support, events access, webinars, workshops, and network access. The subscription auto-renews annually unless cancelled by September 30.
2. Modular Service Packages: Individual service packages are sold on top of or independently of the subscription. These include Remote Reception (from CHF 100/room/month), Remote Revenue Management (from CHF 500/month), Support & Technical Operations (from CHF 300/month), Social Media (from CHF 800/month), Sales Push (from CHF 3,000/month), Hotel-Tech Services (from CHF 9,000 one-time implementation + monthly support), and the comprehensive indie hotel services 360° package (from CHF 69,000 implementation + CHF 19,500/month). These are offered as recurring or project-based engagements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

indie-hotels is a Swiss-based platform and network founded in 2019 that supports independent hotels and restaurants across the DACH region with coaching, consulting, training, digitalization services, and group procurement. The company sells an annual subscription (indie Abo) and offers à-la-carte services spanning remote reception, remote revenue management, social media, web design, SEO/chatbot optimization, workshops, and member events.

Product overview

indie-hotels is a B2B platform and network for independent hotels in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. The core offering is the indie Abo subscription (CHF 1,950/year) which provides access to a comprehensive suite of hotel services including: Einkauf (procurement pooling), Sales und Marketing, Grafik und Webdesign, Prozessoptimierung, Networking, Weiterbildung, Innovation und Strategie, and Digitale Transformation. The platform also offers à la carte services including Remote Reception (from CHF 100/room/month), Remote Revenue Management (from CHF 500), Social Media management (from CHF 800/month), and three tiers of Hotel-Tech-Services (Light, Standard, Plus) ranging from CHF 9,000 to CHF 38,000 implementation. The most comprehensive offering is the indie hotel services 360° package at CHF 69,000 implementation + CHF 19,500/month for full white-label management. The company also organizes regular events including webinars, workshops, and the annual indie Camp.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• indie Abo: Annual subscription package at CHF 1,950 providing access to procurement pools, annual support, events including webinars and the indie camp, and the indie network.
• indie Call

Products and services

• indie Abo (Annual Membership)
• Remote Reception
• Remote Revenue Management
• indie hotel services 360°
• Hotel-Tech-Services (Light, Standard, Plus)
• Digitalisierungs-Workshop (Digitalization Workshop)
• SEO und Chatbot-Optimierung
• Workshop: Digitale Guest Journey
• indie Events (Camp, Webinare)
• Grafik und Webdesign
• Social Media Service

Quantifiable outcome

• Access to purchasing pools for Food, Non-Food, IT solutions, and insurance at preferential rates
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

AI capability8 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Graubünden Ferien Shared ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraubünden Ferien Shared Services is a key cooperation partner with a shared mission to support hotels and tourism businesses in Graubünden. They offer approximately 30 digital services along the entire guest journey (booking systems, guest communication, marketing, digital support) and provide indie members with free webinar access and a 50% discount on Quality Checks.
• Schwob AGminorOthersSchwob AG is a leading Swiss provider of high-quality textiles and professional textile care for hospitality, gastronomy, and healthcare. They manufacture bed and table linens in their own weaving mill in Burgdorf and offer rental linen services. Indie members receive special conditions.
• ApaleocoreTechnology or IntegrationApaleo is an open, API-first Property Management Platform for hospitality with over 2,000 managed properties in 30+ countries. They offer a modular infrastructure allowing hotel operators to build flexible tech stacks without vendor lock-in. Apaleo was awarded the Phocuswright Travel Innovation Award 2025 for EMEA. Indie members benefit from technology integration and preferential conditions.
• Bureau SchneiderminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBureau Schneider (Ueli Schneider) is a boutique management consultancy with 25+ years of experience in operational and strategic leadership. They offer Strategy (customized strategies, Strategy as a Service), Organisation (process optimization, change management), and Leadership (modern leadership culture development) services. Indie members receive 10% off Leadership Booster workshops.
• Mooser & Partner AGminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMooser & Partner AG has been a trusted HR partner for over 40 years, specializing in small and medium-sized enterprises including hospitality. They offer interim HR management, recruitment, coaching, and diverse HR solutions.
• Grande Garcia GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGrande Garcia is a law firm focused on the hotel and gastronomy sector, offering tailored legal solutions in corporate law, employment law, contract law, tenancy law, and liability.
• EMPOWERMENT (Madeleine Na)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEMPOWERMENT offers organizational development and motivation services, including HR consulting, leadership coaching, succession planning, and mediation for hospitality businesses. Indie members receive HR consulting at a special rate of CHF 175/hour (instead of CHF 195) and organizational development workshop packages at reduced rates.
• TourismusconsultminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTourismusconsult is a team of online marketing specialists with deep expertise in hospitality and tourism. They offer digital subscriptions, website analysis, Google Ads, and SEO services. Indie members receive 10% off starter packages (Google Ads & Social Media) and 10% off web checks.
• Swiss Urban & Mountain Hospitality AG (SUM Hospitality)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSUM Hospitality specializes in comprehensive digitalization solutions, hotel management, and revenue management. They help hotels centralize processes from staff to accounting. Michael Böhler (indie partner) is co-owner and CVO. Indie members receive 15% off MEWS and 10% off onboarding or other services.
• IMISO DESIGNminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIMISO DESIGN (Simon Aprile) creates spatial design concepts that make rooms functional, aesthetic, and individual. Offerings include interior design, room acoustics, and signage. They provide a free initial consultation (1-2 hours, on-site or online).
• Gasser Miesch GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGasser Miesch is a design and communication agency that helps innovative companies bring successful products to market in both digital and analog formats. They provide branding, visual identity, and marketing communications.
• Mensella Interior GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMensella Interior designs and delivers interior solutions that excite guests and employees. They offer furniture, textiles, decorative lighting, and related services in hotel and gastro quality with sustainable materials and up to 10-year product guarantees.
• Askisa (Isabelle Zeyssolff)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAskisa offers specialized services for hospitality and gastronomy with sustainable, tailored solutions from concept development to implementation. Core services include operational analysis, process optimization, individual concept development, team management, quality management, and on-the-job training. Indie members receive 10% discount.
• Nicoletta Müller Innovation, Sales & Marketing GmbHcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNicoletta Müller and her team offer innovation, sales, marketing, storytelling, advertising, media work, repositioning, and events services for hospitality. Nicoletta is also a co-founder and partner of indie-hotels. Services include the Hotelopoly strategic board game for annual sales & marketing planning.
• servicekurs.ch (Elisabeth Erber)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partnerservicekurs.ch offers a 2-day basic service course for catering and banquet service assistants and career changers. Topics include service rules, table setting, food service, beverage service, wine service, hygiene, and youth protection. Elisabeth Erber is also the indie-hotels office manager. Indie members receive 10% discount.
• GastiaminorOthersGastia is a trade and experience fair for hospitality held at the Olma Messen venue in St. Gallen. It brings together 150 exhibitors and 20,000 expected trade visitors from hospitality and gastronomy. Indie-hotels participates and promotes the event.
• OK:GO InitiativeminorOthersThe OK:GO Initiative supports Swiss tourism providers in capturing and publishing accessibility information about their offerings and services, making trip planning easier for people with disabilities and seniors.
• WAK - Leih dir KunstminorOthersWAK (Genossenschaft für Wohnen Arbeiten und Kultur in Elgg) enables art rental for hotels and restaurants at accessible prices starting from CHF 3 per artwork. They offer a wide variety of art styles from watercolor to sculpture.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Tourismuszukunft: German consultancy and platform focused on digitalization for the hospitality industry. Comparable as a services partner helping independent hotels adopt digital tools and process optimization.

Regional players

• Top Hotels Germany: German hotel classification and marketing platform representing independent hotels in Germany. Comparable as an independent-hotel affiliation and visibility service, though focused on the German market specifically.

Direct peers

• Relais & Châteaux: Global association of independent luxury hotels and restaurants providing affiliation, marketing, and quality standards. Comparable as a curated network serving independents who want chain-like reach without ceding ownership.
• Logis Hôtels: French-headquartered network of independent hotels across Europe offering affiliation, marketing, and operational support services. Directly comparable business model to indie-hotels' independent-hotel affiliation and services platform.
• Romantik Hotels & Restaurants: European cooperative of independent, often family-run hotels and restaurants with strong DACH presence. Closely comparable to indie-hotels in serving independent operators with networking, marketing, and quality standards.
• PrivateSelection Hotels: Swiss-headquartered marketing and procurement cooperative for independent hotels in the DACH region. Provides the same combination of purchasing pools, marketing support, and networking that indie-hotels offers.

Broad incumbents

• Preferred Hotels & Resorts: Largest independent hotel brand group globally with representation, distribution, and sales services for member properties. Comparable in providing chain-style services to independent operators but at significantly larger scale.
• Best Western Hotels & Resorts: Global soft-brand hotel group that affiliates thousands of independent hotels under a shared distribution, loyalty, and procurement umbrella. Comparable to indie-hotels in offering chain-like benefits to independents without forcing chain affiliation.

Others

• HotellerieSuisse: Swiss national hotel industry association representing hoteliers in policy, training, and promotion. Adjacent to indie-hotels as the broader industry body supporting the same independent hotel base in Switzerland.
• Mews: Cloud-based property management system widely adopted by independent hotels and recommended through indie-hotels' partner network. Adjacent as enabling technology infrastructure that indie-hotels integrates for its members.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/indie-hotels

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about indie-hotels