🛎️ Mews pushes digital keys and Google faces court limits

Welcome back to RemoteHotelier. This week we hit the record of new subscribers in a single week. 15 people just joined the community. Welcome aboard! The first week of September is packed with interesting updates. And I’m also introducing a new section today: Deals of the Month. So today’s edition is pretty loaded. Let’s get started!

In today’s newsletter:

🔑 Mews brings phone wallets to hotel doors

🚀 PitchPoint boosts hotel tech growth in new markets

⚖️ Court ruling limits Google’s search dominance

🤝 Deals of the month (new section!)

🏨 + 4 deals & updates

🗞️ + 5 hotel tech extra news

#1 Mews brings phone wallets to hotel doors.

Mews becomes the first PMS to allow guests to use smartphone native wallets (Google Wallet and Apple Wallet) as room keys, removing the need for physical cards or extra apps.

• The feature works through a partnership with door lock solution Vingcard, from Assa Abloy.

• Surveys show over one third of guests consider keyless entry an essential hotel feature.

• This technology also reduces plastic waste, supporting hotels sustainability goals.

Why this matters: This is exactly in line with what modern guests want (and expect). Less friction in admin tasks means better guest experience. I just hope they can bring this feature to more key cutting providers soon.

#2 PitchPoint boosts hotel tech growth in new markets.

The Future Hospitality Summit will launch PitchPoint in Dubai, aiming to connect hospitality tech startups with investors to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.

• This platform replaces traditional startup contests by focusing on exposure and opportunities for startups.

• PitchPoint is made to help brands expand into Middle East and Africa markets.

• Selected startups can access exhibition space at lower costs to show their products and services.

Why this matters: For hoteliers, especially in EMEA, this means more access to smart tools. Therefore, better, faster and cheaper hotel tech. Even small companies with an established presence in EU or US might use the platform to test the waters in a new region.

#3 Court ruling limits Google’s search dominance.

A judge rules that Google must share certain data with competitors and cannot enter exclusive contracts for search placement.

• This affects search and user interaction data in particular.

• Google can continue paying for default placement on devices but cannot make exclusive deals.

• This lawsuit began in 2020 after years of complaints from the travel and tech industries.

• Kind of off-topic, but this week we also learnt that Google wants to add a Duolingo style learning feature inside their Translate app.

Why this matters: You know when you search for a hotel room and Google ALWAYS shows the same providers on top of the search results? That’s exactly what they’re trying to kill. The funny part is that by the time they manage to pull this off, LLM search (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, etc.) might already be the main way people look for information online.

THE RESOURCE HUB

• 📍 Next Event: Skift Global Forum (16–18 September 2025).

• 📅 2025/2026 hotel tech event calendar.

• 💼 Hotel tech companies offering remote jobs.

• 💲 RMS comparison spreadsheet.

• 💻 Cloud PMS comparison spreadsheet.

🏨 DEALS & UPDATES

• Fairmont Hotels partners with Devialet to enhance guest stays using advanced curated audio in 96 locations worldwide.

• IRIS and Travel Curious partner to let hotels offer bookable local tours and services in-room, starting with Marriott properties and expanding soon.

• Shiji and HyperGuest partner to boost hotel distribution globally through advanced B2B tech platforms.

• CADHI partners with Mews to roll out their PMS, POS and revenue tools to 3,600 hotels and restaurants.

• RateGain launches a new technology named Model Context Protocol for booking engines that enables conversational room reservations using natural language.

🤝 DEALS OF THE MONTH NEW!

• OYO acquired MadeComfy for $50 million, gaining access to 1,300 properties in Australia and New Zealand.

• Kasa secured $40 million to boost its AI platform for boutique and independent hotels.

• TakeUp raised $11 million in Series A funding to improve its AI hotel room pricing software.

• Journey got $7.7 million to expand its AI loyalty platform for independent hotels.

🗞️ HOTEL TECH EXTRAS

• Accor launches ALL Accor+ to unify regional loyalty programs into a global subscription model with four tiers and expanded perks.

• Safara launches a new platform for independent hotels. It allows access guest preferences, offer personalized stays, and boost direct bookings in a marketplace that targets millennial and Gen-Z guests.

• DerbySoft expands its Oracle partnership to simplify hotel channel management using OPERA Cloud.

• RoomMaster presents their rebranding along with a new website.

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See you next week!
Jose