HOTEL CASE STUDY
JOAO JUNGLE | GOING WILD WITH EFFICIENCY AND DIRECT BOOKINGS
Johanna began running Joao Jungle Guesthouse with minimal resources, relying on Excel to manage everything. As her business expanded, she needed a more efficient system. After struggling with various providers, a fellow hotelier recommended RoomRaccoon. Now, she saves 3 hours each day and generates over 50% of her bookings directly. Read more about her success.
About Joao Jungle
What began as a private family residence has flourished into Joao Jungle Guesthouse, a sanctuary of warmth and inclusivity. Nestled in the lush surroundings of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, the guesthouse provides a peaceful escape for travelers looking to unwind or engage in the rich local culture. Just 3km from Ericeira, the world’s first World Surfing Reserve, Joao Jungle offers the perfect balance of adventure and tranquility.
The property attracts a diverse range of guests, from surfers seeking world-class waves to those attending the surf and yoga retreats hosted on-site. Whether you’re here for relaxation or an active getaway, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere that makes every stay feel personal and enriching.
Built on Johanna's vision of creating a home-like space where guests can feel completely at ease, Joao Jungle Guesthouse offers a uniquely relaxed and intimate experience where visitors are more than just guests—they’re part of the jungle family.
Simplified reservations and reporting compliance in Portugal
Challenge
Johanna and her husband were managing bookings using an Excel spreadsheet. They struggled to keep track of booking and payment statuses. Additionally, they had trouble updating booking modifications, which led to the risk of double bookings. Johanna needed a more efficient system to consolidate all reservation details in one place and provide a clear overview of the comings and goings at their property.
Solution
RoomRaccoon provides a comprehensive system that integrates all reservation details into a single platform, reducing the risk of double bookings and offering a clear overview of reservations. RoomRaccoon also partners with INE Portugal and SEF to ensure legal compliance and reporting. Johanna now benefits from a well-organized and user-friendly system that she can access from her phone, even while traveling. The system's efficiency has improved her reservation management, and she no longer faces double booking issues.
Result
RoomRaccoon’s front desk automation and centralized system save Johanna 3 hours every day.
“It has saved me a tremendous amount of time each day. I now have more freedom to focus on maintaining Joao Jungle, welcoming and guiding guests, and, most importantly, enjoying quality time with my family and friends.”
JOHANNA BOELE – OWNER, JOAO JUNGLE
More bookings, less effort with a high-converting booking engine
Challenge
Johanna encountered difficulties with her previous booking system, as it was not integrated with her other systems. This resulted in inaccurate pricing and availability, making reservation management a largely manual process.
Solution
Switching to RoomRaccoon provided Johanna with an integrated booking engine that is perfectly synchronized with her PMS and channel manager, giving her peace of mind. This meant that Johanna could sell her rooms on her website and her preferred booking channels, such as Vrbo, Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia, without worrying about overbookings or incorrect pricing.
She also uses direct booking discount codes and the price checker widget to entice more website visitors to book directly, which has helped her increase commission-free direct bookings. Additionally, she customized her booking engine with the private label upgrade option, which has further improved the booking experience for her customers.
Result
Over 50% of bookings are direct.
Premium customer support
Challenge
Johanna faced several challenges with her previous booking systems, including inadequate customer support and frequent technical glitches. Reaching the support team and resolving issues was difficult, leading to frustration and operational inefficiencies.
Solution
Johanna switched to RoomRaccoon after receiving a recommendation from a friend in Ericera. As part of her premium package, Johanna enjoys RoomRaccoon's fast and reliable telephone support, which has enhanced her overall experience.
Result
Fast and reliable telephone support, including on weekends.
“From the first contact I had with RoomRaccoon, I was impressed by the high level of service and innovation. Even though my business is small, the quality and attention you provide are exceptional.”
JOHANNA BOELE – OWNER, JOAO JUNGLE
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RoomRaccoon offers a host of features to elevate hotel operations and boost revenue. Get to know what’s worked well for our hoteliers!
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