Hotel front desk software for independent UK hotels

Clearer room planning.
Smoother check-ins.
More time for guests.

Bring reservations, guest details, room allocation and payments together in one cloud-based system. RoomRaccoon helps independent UK hotels manage a busy reception with less manual admin, from the first booking to the final invoice.

  • Manage your reception from one reservations calendar
  • Prepare your team with personalised setup and training
  • Connect your PMS, booking engine, channel manager and payments

Book a demo to see how RoomRaccoon could work for your reception team, room types and guest journey.

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WHY ROOMRACCOON?

Make everyday reception tasks easier

CORE PLATFORM

Your hotel reception software,
connected to the whole property

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Manage your front desk from one calendar

Start the day with a clear view of your bookings. RoomRaccoon brings front office tasks into its hotel property management system, so reception can work with reservation, guest and payment information in one place. Handle a last-minute room change or an extended stay without starting again in another system.

  • Plan rooms around your guests. Use the colour-coded reservations calendar to review bookings and availability, allocate rooms, extend stays and arrange upgrades with drag-and-drop tools.
  • Prepare arrivals before guests reach reception. Let guests complete online check-in, share registration details and explore relevant extras through the optional RaccoonUpsell digital menu.
  • Keep group stays organised. Link multiple rooms and stay dates to one organiser. Discuss room allotments and negotiated rates in your demo, including which features your chosen package includes.
  • Keep the next action clear. Check reservation and payment details, track deposits and use the reporting available in your package to prepare for arrivals, departures and outstanding balances.

BOOKING ENGINE

Bring direct bookings straight to reception

Your booking engine takes reservations on your website; your front desk system helps the team manage the stay. RoomRaccoon connects both, giving reception a shared view of direct bookings alongside reservations from connected channels.

  • Make it easy to book on your website. Offer guests a mobile-friendly booking engine connected to your property management system.
  • Offer useful extras at the time of booking. Make breakfast, parking or other services bookable where your property offers them, so the team can prepare for the stay.
  • Manage relevant offers. Use discount codes and agent logins to support promotions and negotiated arrangements.
  • Help guests compare rates. Use the price comparison widget to show how your direct rate compares with available alternatives.
  • Review your direct-booking setup. Explore the booking engine alongside your reception workflow, from a new reservation through to arrival.

CHANNEL MANAGER

Keep availability connected across booking channels

Reception needs a reliable view of what is booked and what can still be sold. The integrated channel manager connects reservations, rates and availability across supported channels, reducing the need to update each booking site separately.

  • Bring channel bookings into one workflow. Connect supported online travel agencies such as Booking.com and Expedia, then manage incoming reservations alongside direct bookings.
  • Set pricing rules around your property. Use the dynamic pricing tools available in your package to manage rate changes and reduce repeated manual updates.
  • Reduce the risk of conflicting availability. Synchronise inventory across connected channels. Accurate room mapping and a well-configured setup remain important.
  • Offer clearly defined rate plans. Manage refundable and non-refundable options, room-only stays and packages so your team can see the terms attached to each booking.

PAYMENTS

Manage guest payments from booking to check-out

Keep payment tasks connected to the reservation. Request a deposit before arrival, review an outstanding balance or arrange a refund without relying on separate notes at reception.

Explore RoomRaccoon Payments and confirm the payment methods, transaction fees and card-machine options that suit your UK property.

  • Send secure payment requests. Share an online payment link with guests and manage refunds from the reservation card.
  • Connect in-person payments to the stay. The optional RaccoonCardMachine lets reception initiate card payments from the guest reservation.
  • Organise virtual credit cards. Use the VCC dashboard to track and manage virtual cards issued for eligible OTA bookings.
  • Follow up on disputed payments. Monitor and manage chargebacks through the payments dashboard, keeping the relevant payment information accessible.

Rates and packages

Create packages and linked room rates that reflect how you sell your rooms. Keep breakfast-inclusive stays, negotiated arrangements and group reservations organised, with room allotments available in eligible packages.

Dynamic pricing

Set pricing rules for the conditions that matter to your hotel, from quieter midweek dates to busy weekends. Explore RoomRaccoon revenue management to understand which tools and upgrades fit your approach.

OPTIONAL UPGRADES

Choose the tools your reception team needs

Start with the daily tasks you want to improve, then choose the right package and optional upgrades. Housekeeping workflows, digital registration, upselling and connected card payments can support different parts of the guest journey.

Compare UK packages and pricing to see included features, upgrade allowances and support options before booking your demo.

Switch front desk systems with a clear plan

Personalised setup
Work with the onboarding team to configure your property, room types and rates around the way you operate. Agree the setup requirements before your go-live date.
Team training
Prepare reception for everyday tasks, including managing reservations, checking guests in and out, taking payments and creating invoices.
Planned go-live
Coordinate setup, channel connections and training around your hotel schedule. Confirm a realistic launch date for your property and integrations.
Reservation import
Agree which existing reservations and records can be imported, in what format and at what cost. Check the imported information with your team before switching over.

Connect reception with your existing hotel tools

Hotel front desk software: your questions answered

1What is hotel front desk software?
Hotel front desk software helps reception teams manage reservations, room allocation, guest details, check-in, check-out and payments. It is also called hotel reception software or a front office system. In RoomRaccoon, these tasks sit within the hotel PMS, connected to a booking engine, channel manager and payments system.
2Is RoomRaccoon suitable for small independent UK hotels?
RoomRaccoon supports independent accommodation businesses, including small hotels, boutique properties, B&Bs and inns. A shared reservations calendar and connected guest and payment information can help a small team manage several tasks at once. The right package depends on your room count, number of users, booking channels and required features; compare those needs during your demo.
3What is the difference between front desk software and a hotel PMS?
Front desk software describes the tools used for reception work. A property management system covers a wider set of hotel operations, including rates, reporting and housekeeping coordination. With RoomRaccoon, reception works within the PMS; you do not need to treat front desk software as a separate operational system.
4How does front desk software differ from a booking engine?
A booking engine lets guests reserve rooms on your website. Front desk software helps staff manage the reservation and the stay, including room allocation, guest details, payments and departure. A channel manager connects rates and availability to supported booking channels. RoomRaccoon brings these functions together while keeping their roles clear.
5How does the reservations calendar help with room allocation?
RoomRaccoon provides a colour-coded calendar showing reservations and availability. Reception can review bookings, allocate rooms, extend stays and use drag-and-drop tools for changes and upgrades. This is useful when a guest requests another night or a room change during a busy shift. Check the relevant rate and reservation details whenever you make a change.
6Can guests check in and check out online?
Yes. RoomRaccoon supports online check-in and check-out. Guests can complete registration steps before arrival, and payment requests can help them settle outstanding amounts. This reduces the information reception needs to collect in person. Online check-in does not itself provide a digital room key: door access requires a compatible setup or integration.
7Can the system help with late arrivals?
Online check-in, guest email templates and payment links can help you prepare for guests arriving after your usual reception hours. Send practical instructions that match your hotel arrangements. If guests need to enter without a receptionist, confirm a compatible door-access integration and a clear procedure for collecting or using their key.
8How does reception coordinate with housekeeping?
The core platform includes a daily housekeeping list with room information and notes. For more detailed cleaning, room-status and maintenance workflows, RoomRaccoon offers the optional RaccoonHousekeeping upgrade. Ask to see how your reception and housekeeping teams would use it during a same-day room turnaround, including which features your package covers.
9Can reception request deposits and manage outstanding balances?
Yes. RoomRaccoon Payments supports secure payment links, payment tracking and refunds connected to reservations. Reception can request a deposit before arrival or follow up on an outstanding balance. In-person payments can use the optional RaccoonCardMachine. Check supported methods, processing fees and card-machine costs for your UK property when comparing options.
10Can guest emails be personalised and automated?
RoomRaccoon provides customisable guest email templates and automated communication. Use them for relevant information such as booking confirmations and arrival instructions, with wording that reflects your property. Clear messages help guests prepare for their stay and can reduce repeat questions at reception. Review the timing and content of each message during setup.
11Can guests add breakfast, parking or a late check-out?
You can create bookable add-ons for services your hotel offers and make them available through the booking engine. The optional RaccoonUpsell upgrade also presents relevant extras during online check-in. For example, guests could select breakfast or parking before arrival. Configure availability and conditions so your team can deliver what has been booked.
12Does RoomRaccoon support group reservations?
RoomRaccoon supports linked reservations and group bookings, including multiple rooms and stay dates associated with a booker. This can help with wedding guests, corporate stays or other groups. Room allotments and certain reporting features depend on the package. Show the team your group-booking requirements so they can demonstrate the appropriate workflow.
13Does front desk software prevent double bookings?
An integrated channel manager reduces the risk by synchronising availability across supported booking channels. RoomRaccoon connects this process to the reservations calendar used by reception. No software should be treated as an unconditional guarantee against every overbooking: correct room mapping, channel settings and operational procedures remain important. Review those connections during onboarding.
14Can RoomRaccoon connect to accounting, POS and door-access systems?
RoomRaccoon offers integrations across accounting, point-of-sale and property-access systems. Its UK accounting information lists QuickBooks and Xero. Check the exact product, version, supported data flow and fees before choosing a connection; one integration may not cover every feature of another system. Browse the integrations hub and discuss your current tools in the demo.
15Can I control what reception staff can access?
RoomRaccoon offers customisable user permissions in eligible packages, and user allowances vary by plan. These settings help you match access to the tasks staff need to perform. Check the permissions required for reception, management and finance against the current package comparison, rather than assuming every plan includes the same controls.
16How much does hotel front desk software cost in the UK?
RoomRaccoon provides front desk functionality within its hotel management platform. Your total cost depends on the package, property requirements and selected upgrades or integrations. Compare the current UK pricing in pounds sterling, then confirm billing frequency, VAT treatment, onboarding, payment-processing fees and optional hardware costs in your quote. Headline subscription prices do not describe every possible cost.
17Which features are included and which are optional?
RoomRaccoon packages include a PMS, booking engine, channel manager and payments system. User limits, channels, reporting and support differ by package. Tools such as RaccoonHousekeeping, RaccoonUpsell and the card machine have their own package or upgrade conditions. Ask for a written breakdown of the features, allowances and charges needed for your reception workflow.
18Can I move existing reservations from another system?
RoomRaccoon’s onboarding programme includes arrangements for importing existing reservations. The scope depends on the information available from your current system and the agreed setup. Confirm the records, formats, fees and responsibilities before migration. Review future bookings, room assignments and balances with the onboarding team so reception knows what is ready for go-live.
19How long does setup take, and will my team receive training?
Setup includes property configuration, channel connections, reservation import and team training. The timetable depends on your property and integration requirements, so agree a launch date with the onboarding team. Training covers practical reception tasks, including reservations, check-in, check-out, invoices and payments. See the onboarding programme for the process and discuss any busy dates before scheduling the switch.
20What support is available after launch?
RoomRaccoon provides a Help Centre and support options that vary by package. Telephone availability and response commitments are not identical across all plans. Check the current support comparison and confirm the channels, hours and arrangements your team would use during reception shifts. This helps you select support that matches how your property operates.
21How is this different from using spreadsheets and separate tools?
Spreadsheets can record bookings, but staff usually need to update them manually and check other systems for payments or guest information. A connected front desk system brings these tasks into a shared workflow. RoomRaccoon can reduce repeated data entry, although the benefit depends on your setup and the processes your team uses. Ask to compare one of your current tasks in the demo.
22What should I ask to see in a front desk software demo?
Bring your room count, current systems and the reception tasks you want to improve. Ask to follow a booking through room allocation, online check-in, payment and check-out, then review housekeeping and group-booking requirements. Confirm package inclusions, migration scope and total costs. Book a RoomRaccoon demo to discuss the right setup for your hotel.

See how RoomRaccoon could work at your hotel reception