South African hotel launches ‘Africa's very first' hotel self-service check-in kiosk

South Africa's Southern Sun Hotels' Sandton City (Johannesburg) location is launching what it bills as "Africa's very first hotel self check-in and check-out kiosks," according to the chain's Facebook page.

The touchscreeen-enabled kiosk allows guests to check-in and out and to perform certain in-house hotel functions within the hotel environment. Guests can check in by identifying themselves by reservation number or credit card, and then the kiosk integrates with the hotel's operational system, allocates a room, authorizes a debit or credit and dispenses a room key card. Check-out follows a similar identification process.

"Our guests already use self check-in facilities at airports and the movies, and at economy, economy plus and brand hotels overseas. Generally, they welcome technology that enables them to ‘do it themselves' – not to mention quickly," said Southern Sun managing director Graham Wood.