Hotel Guest Self-Service Portal and Online Booking
Operating guide for direct web booking engine, guest portal contactless check-in, folio statement review, and concierge service requests.
1. Overview & Business Value#
This comprehensive operational guide details the architecture, business workflows, configuration parameters, and execution steps for Hotel Guest Self-Service Portal and Online Booking within SmartERP.
The SmartERP Hospitality Guest Portal (https://smarterp.et/hotel) delivers a modern, contactless guest experience on mobile devices and laptops.
Guest Portal Features#
- Direct Online Booking: Guests search real-time room availability, compare seasonal packages, and guarantee rooms with Telebirr or international credit cards.
- Contactless Pre-Arrival Check-In: Complete passport verification and arrival time declaration prior to landing at Bole International Airport.
- Digital Room Service Ordering: Browse illustrated restaurant dining menus and order directly from mobile device to room.
- Folio Review: Inspect posted room charges in real time, preventing checkout surprises.
{screenshot:hotel-self-service-portal-and-online-booking-overview-dashboard}
2. Prerequisites & Security Access Groups#
- Required Modules:
smarterp_hospitality, point_of_sale, account, stock - Security Groups:
Front Desk Receptionist(Technical ID:hotel.group_hotel_reception)Housekeeping Supervisor(Technical ID:hotel.group_hotel_housekeeping)Night Auditor / Financial Controller(Technical ID:hotel.group_hotel_night_auditor)Hotel General Manager(Technical ID:hotel.group_hotel_manager)
- Master Data Dependencies: Established property hotel profile for Company 1 (
Ashewa Technology Solutions S.C.), room inventory, room types, rate plans, and POS dining outlets.
3. Step-by-Step Configuration & Execution#
Step 1: Navigating to the Module Interface#
- Log into your SmartERP instance at
https://smarterp.et/odoo. - Open the main App Switcher (grid icon in the top-left corner).
- Select the Hospitality app icon.
- From the top navigation bar, open Front Desk → Reservations / In-House / Room Board / Night Audit.
{screenshot:hotel-self-service-portal-and-online-booking-app-switcher-navigation}
Step 2: Creating and Parameterizing Records#
- Click the New button in the top-left control panel.
- Complete the mandatory fields in the record form:
- Guest Name (Mandatory): Complete legal name matching national ID or passport (
res.partner). - Stay Dates (Mandatory): Scheduled arrival and departure dates and times.
- Room Category & Rate (Mandatory): Desired room category and contractual rate tier.
- Payment Guarantee (Mandatory): Advance deposit, corporate billing voucher, or credit card pre-authorization.
- Guest Name (Mandatory): Complete legal name matching national ID or passport (
- Configure optional operational parameters and localized tags as required:
- Special Guest Preferences (Optional): High floor, non-smoking, extra pillows.
- Meal Plan (Optional): Bed & Breakfast, Half Board, or Full Board.
- Flight / Airport Transfer Details (Optional): Flight arrival schedule for hotel shuttle pickup.
- Click the Save icon in the control bar to commit the record.
{screenshot:hotel-self-service-portal-and-online-booking-record-creation-form}
Step 3: Validating and Processing Transactions#
- State Transitions: Execute operational state progression (
Reserved→Checked-In / In-House→Folio Charges Accrued→Checked-Out / Settled). - Ledger & System Impact: Night audit posts daily accommodation revenue and municipality tourism taxes; restaurant and minibar charges post to guest folio.
- Audit Verification: Automated recording of author ID, timestamp, and immutable revision history.
{screenshot:hotel-self-service-portal-and-online-booking-transaction-processing-state}
4. Advanced Configuration Points#
- Automated Actions & Scheduled Tasks (Crons):
Hotel: Post nightly room rate charges to folios(hotel.ir_cron_night_audit): Runs nightly at 02:00 to post room accommodation fees.Hotel: Housekeeping room cleanliness inspection reset(hotel.ir_cron_housekeeping_reset): Runs daily at 06:00 to refresh room turnaround boards.Hotel: Check No-Show reservations(hotel.ir_cron_noshow_cleanup): Runs nightly to process unfulfilled reservations.
- Custom Print Templates & Reports:
- Official Guest Registration Card (GRC) with Digital Signature
- Guest Folio Tax Invoice (Model 85 Compliant)
- Daily Manager Report (DMR) & RevPAR Ledger
- Housekeeping Floor Turnaround Board & Attendant Roster
- Multi-Company Rules: Record-level security isolation under Company 1 (
Ashewa Technology Solutions S.C.), preventing cross-hotel guest folio leakage across sister properties.
5. Comprehensive Troubleshooting Matrix#
| Error Symptom / Exception | Probable Root Cause | Corrective Action / Resolution |
|---|---|---|
Access Rights Error: Cannot execute Night Audit | User lacks assigned Night Auditor security privileges. | Assign user to hotel.group_hotel_night_auditor under Settings → Users. |
Validation Error: Room not in clean inspected status | Attempting to check guest into a dirty or uninspected room. | Housekeeping floor supervisor must inspect and mark room Clean prior to check-in. |
Folio Settlement Block: Open POS checks exist | Guest checkout attempted while restaurant or bar bills remain open. | Close all open restaurant checks to the folio before printing final bill. |
Keycard Encoder Timeout: Communication error | USB/network RFID encoder machine disconnected or daemon offline. | Check physical USB cable connection and restart PMS keycard encoder service. |