5 June 2025

As the hospitality industry accelerates its digital transformation, Zaplox, a Swedish provider of digital guest journey solutions, is taking bold steps forward. The company at the start of this year announced the launch of a new app-free self-service check-in solution, designed to give hotel guests a seamless digital experience—without the friction of downloading a mobile app.

In a major milestone, Zaplox has already signed its first agreement for the new technology with none other than Google, marking a significant endorsement of both the product and Zaplox’s broader strategy to streamline hotel operations through intelligent guest-facing solutions.

🔧 A Frictionless Digital Journey

The new solution enables guests to check in, access their room, and check out directly through a web-based interface, eliminating a frequent barrier to adoption: the need to download a hotel-branded app. This is especially valuable for short-stay travelers or business guests who may be reluctant to download a new app for a single visit.

Instead, Zaplox’s solution sends guests a secure link via SMS or email, giving them access to all the key services — from mobile key entry to real-time communication with hotel staff — through a browser on their personal device. This innovation not only enhances user experience but also supports faster onboarding, reduced front desk congestion, and improved operational efficiency.

🌍 Why the Market is Ripe

Zaplox’s new offering arrives at a time when the market for self-service check-in solutions in hospitality is experiencing strong, sustained growth. Several trends are driving this transformation:

• Contactless preferences post-COVID have reshaped traveler expectations.

• Labor shortages are encouraging hoteliers to reduce manual check-in processes.

• Mobile-first behavior means guests now expect smartphone-enabled services.

• Smart hotel ecosystems are increasingly the norm in high-end and mid-market hotels alike.

According to recent market research, self-service technology in hospitality is projected to grow at 10–12% CAGR through 2030, with digital check-in solutions becoming a key differentiator across regions.

🤝 A Strategic Agreement with Google

Zaplox’s first client for this next-gen technology is Google, which will use the solution in its employee hospitality operations — a strong vote of confidence in the security, usability, and flexibility of the platform.

“This is a major step forward for Zaplox,” said Tess Mattisson, President and CEO of Zaplox. “Eliminating the app requirement removes a key adoption hurdle for our hotel partners and their guests. Signing an agreement with Google confirms the strength of this approach and signals our readiness to scale.”

🛎️ Reinventing the Guest Experience

Zaplox’s innovation fits squarely into the growing ecosystem of intelligent, guest-centric hospitality technologies. It gives hoteliers a powerful new tool to meet the rising expectations of today’s digitally native travelers, while simultaneously tackling staff shortages and operational inefficiencies.

And with a name like Google backing the first implementation, it’s safe to say the industry will be watching Zaplox closely as they roll out this technology to more hotels around the globe.