UStay

“Everything’s Just… Easier Now”: How UStay Made Guest Check-In a Smooth Experience with freetobook

Meet UStay: Group Stays in the Heart of Liverpool

Think party pads, birthday bashes, and hen dos: all happening in the middle of Liverpool. That’s UStay Liverpool in a nutshell.

With seven central locations sleeping up to 460 guests, most of their properties cater to big groups (10 to 16 people!). It’s a busy, high-energy business that relies on everything running like clockwork, especially when it comes to getting guests in the door. 

“We’re all about group stays. Some of our apartments sleep 14, 16 people… you can imagine the logistics involved trying to get details before they arrive!”

That’s where freetobook’s Digital Check-In made a massive difference.

The Before: Chasing IDs, Ringing Phones, and Too Many Emails

Before Digital Check-In, UStay’s team were juggling:

  • Guests emailing random ID photos (sometimes without names or arrival dates 😬).
  • Manually updating freetobook cleaner notes.
  • Phoning guests for security deposit pre-authorisations.
  • Explaining check-in steps across multiple emails.

“We’d ask for ID and get a photo with no context: no booking name, no details of the property they’ve booked, nothing. Then we’d have to trawl through bookings to figure out who it was.”

Not exactly ideal when you’re managing hundreds of guests across multiple properties each weekend.

The After: Everything Guests Need, All in One Place

That’s where freetobook’s Digital Check-In comes in. Louise and the UStay team were very ready for the upgrade.

“I’d actually asked the freetobook team for something like this a couple of years ago, so when it finally launched, they knew I’d be happy!”

Now, the process looks like this:

  • Guests fill in everything online: ID, nationality, security deposit, T&Cs, and house rules.
  • Once complete, they can send out the lockbox details via Messaging for check-in.
  • Staff no longer chase information or take calls; they just see it all in the system.

“It’s just so efficient. The phone barely rings anymore. Guests know exactly what to do, and we know they’ve read the rules.”

Less Hassle, More Time to Focus on Guests

The benefits go beyond saving time (though that’s a biggie!). According to Louise:

  • Guests are more informed

“There’s less surprise about deposits or rules because they physically read and tick to confirm everything up front.”

  • Security’s tighter

“If there’s ever a dispute, we’ve got all the information securely saved. This is super helpful with card companies.”

  • Workload has significantly decreased

“The admin side has dropped massively. We can just get on with looking after the guests who are here.”

UStay’s Tip for Other Properties

“If you run any kind of self-service accommodation, this is a total no-brainer. You don’t need to send five separate emails anymore. It’s all together. It’s cleaner, smoother, and honestly, it just makes life easier.”

The Big Win

UStay Liverpool swapped scattered emails, phone calls, and manual logging for one simple, fully digital guest registration process.

Now, everything guests (and staff) need is in one place. No chasing, no confusion, just a smooth, stress-free start to every day.

Whether you’re managing a whole city’s worth of apartments or one small hotel, freetobook’s Digital Check-In can save you time, reduce stress, and help your guests start their stay the right way.

🛎️ Want to try it yourself?

Just ask the Customer Support team for more information!