KAYAK is one of the internet's biggest travel search engines.
Founded in January 2004 by Steve Hafner and Paul M. English, KAYAK has been the travel agency operated by Booking Holdings.
With presence in 18 languages in more than 30 countries, KAYAK has received numerous awards, including Time's top "50 Best Websites of 2009", Mashable's first on its list for "10 Budget Airfare Tools Every Traveler Should Know in 2012", and a long list of Webby Awards.
During the 'COVID-19' coronavirus pandemic, the travel industry is one of the several that has been hit the hardest. And this includes those in the hospitality business, which includes KAYAK.
But following the vaccines to curb the virus, and the ease of travelling, KAYAK is getting ready to welcome travelers, and this time, by also opening its first physical presence in the form of a hotel.
At Miami Beach in Florida, the internet-based travel agency said that its first physical world presence is made in conjunction with Life House, a hotel group with several properties in the United States and around the world.
Situated on the Collins Canal, KAYAK's Miami Beach hotel features 52 rooms in an art deco building dating back to 1934, explained KAYAK on an announcement on its website.
There is rooftop deck that is open to the public, a pool and a restaurant called Layla that will serve Mediterranean cuisine. Guests can also enjoy amenities like Le Labo toiletries, Marshall speakers and smart TVs in each room. Others include bicycles, table games and more.
Envisioning its approach, KAYAK said that it sees itself as a “one-stop-shop” for guests at boutique hotels, where people can access new technologies without having to download a separate app each time they check-in to a new property.
"This is Kayak's first hotel launch," says Steve Hafner, the CEO of Kayak, in an email to Travel + Leisure. "It's something we have been thinking about for a couple years and COVID-19 has accelerated the need for innovation for independent hotels."
And explaining to Travel Weekly, Hafner said that its “app has already been downloaded by tens of millions of consumers. It’s consistent. They know how it works. So, consumers will say, ‘Gosh, I feel more comfortable choosing this independent hotel over a Marriott or Hilton because I know exactly what the check-in, checkout service experience is going to be like.'”
Guests of the hotel can use the Kayak app not just as their digital room keys and controllers for certain in-room functions, but they can also use the app to communicate with hotel staff, ask for upgrades and others, as well as receiving notifications for events related to their stay.
At the lobby, the hotel has self-service kiosks that allow guests to complete check-in and per-use dining options.
And with all that, KAYAK makes its Miami Beach hotel the hub to test these offerings to the real world.
In the past, major hotel chains have been trying to add these to their apps. But things halted as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
But as restrictions started to ease, travelers have begun to expect these features as standard practice — especially at high-end hotels.
And here, KAYAK is doing exactly that, in its physical foray into the hospitality business, starting April 11, 2021, with nightly rates at around $230.
As why KAYAK chose Miami, according to Hafner, it is "one of our top 10 search destinations, it's a fun market for us — and for anyone — to enjoy year round," he said.
"We found a beautiful building in a great neighborhood that fit our vision; we want this to be a locally rooted experience."
What's more, "flight searches to Miami are down only 24 percent compared to pre-COVID versus the national average of 50 percent."
Besides this Miami Beach hotel, KAYAK is also looking for new markets, as well as new types for properties, to expand its brand's reach.
