Transforming hospitality at Ireland's Doolin Inn with Cloudbeds

Understanding the importance of innovation and reinvestment in hospitality, Doolin Inn’s owner chose Cloudbeds.

Its clean and intuitive interface has improved efficiency and significantly reduced the learning curve for new staff — a welcomed change from some of the more traditional PMSs that Christopher Coote, Operations Manager at Doolin Inn, has used in the past. As he puts it, 

“For me and the staff, Cloudbeds is more intuitive, and bookings are assigned automatically, saving a lot of time.  It’s just so easy — everything is there. It’s very clean, very intuitive. I find it easy to show new staff the basics and they pick it up quickly. ” 

Chris notes that training someone to the point where they’re fully confident navigating the system usually takes only a few days on average, with tech-savvy individuals requiring as little as a day. He also reflects on other staff who have been more apprehensive about adopting new systems: 

We had a receptionist in her fifties who used to get very nervous when it came to navigating new technologies or operating systems. But with Cloudbeds, it was so easy to show her and in a few days she felt confident with it. She eventually became our Head Supervisor. I don’t think that would have been possible with some of the legacy systems out there.

When it comes to saving costs, Cloudbeds has been instrumental. By streamlining operations and improving the direct booking process, the platform has helped Doolin Inn save thousands and achieve its booking income goals. Chris explains,

“Over the last few years almost 80% of our bookings are direct, with the latest Cloudbed update for the website making it a much cleaner process. This has saved us thousands on commission to OTAs.” 

Having achieved an impressive €1 million in bookings by September 2024, they’re confident that, with their current trajectory, they can achieve their goal of €1 million in bookings within the first six months of 2025.

All in all, Cloudbeds remains a key partner in Doolin Inn’s mission to deliver exceptional guest experiences while driving revenue and embracing eco-conscious values. Their success story underscores the importance of adaptability and using the right tools in the ever-evolving hospitality landscape.

Asked whether he would recommend Cloudbeds, Chris reflects on the platform’s impact: “Cloudbeds is clean, intuitive, and just works. It’s easy to use and builds confidence in the team. I’ve already recommended it to other hoteliers.”

With a confident staff, more efficient processes, and a deep commitment to “Céad Míle Fáilte”, it’s no surprise that friendliness is a consistent theme in their reviews and that guests make an effort to return time and again.