What's new, and what's coming.

Newest first. Each entry has its own link, so you can share one update without the rest.

1. 4 September 2026New

   OTA Guests Can Now Check In Without a Confirmation Number#

   Guests whose booking came from an OTA, a channel manager, or a GDS can now reach their reservation with their name and stay dates alone, at the Self-Service Kiosk, on the Digital Guest Portal, on Info Stay, and in the Guest Journey before the day of arrival. You switch this on per Property with the new External Reservation setting.

   Details

   • New External Reservation section under Settings → Guest Access, with a single toggle that is off by default.
   • While it is on, no verification field is checked for reservations that did not come from a direct booking or the Booking Engine: the guest's name plus arrival and departure dates identify the reservation on their own.
   • Eligible reservations are Confirmed, or In-House while the Unit is not yet clean.
   • If several reservations match the name and stay dates, the guest picks theirs from a list of all matching reservations.
   • Direct and Booking Engine bookings are unchanged and still require the verification field you configured for the Find Reservation form.
2. 24 August 2026New

   New Message Template: Room is Ready / Guests Can Check In with One Tap#

   As soon as a guest's Unit is clean and the check-in window has opened, LIKE MAGIC can send them a notification with a single button, one tap checks them in and takes them straight to their room details, no stop at the front desk needed.

   Details

   • New guest notification that fires when all three conditions are met: the reservation is in status "Confirmed", the Unit is set to clean, and the earliest check-in time has been reached: whichever happens last triggers the message
   • Please note: the notification is only sent if a Unit is assigned to the reservation before check-in. Reservations without an assigned Unit will not receive the message
   • Sent on the guest's preferred channel: WhatsApp, SMS, or email
   • The button opens the Digital Guest Portal, completes the Check-in with a "checking you in…" animation, and then shows the room number, plus the door PIN where PIN access is configured
   • You decide per Property whether guests must complete the Pre-Check-In Flow before receiving the notification and using the one-tap Check-in: if the Pre-Check-In is already completed, the link checks the guest in automatically; if it is not yet complete, the guest is guided through the missing steps first and then lands on their keys. Please let us know your preferred setting when activating the feature
3. 24 August 2026New

   Per Property Guest ID Documents Are Collected and Deleted#

   Each Property can now control on its own whether guests are asked to upload an identity document during check-in, and how long uploaded documents are kept before they are deleted automatically, in line with local legal requirements.

   Details

   • New property-level settings page: Settings → Guest Data & Retention in the Operations Platform
   • Master toggle Enable Document Upload decides whether guests are asked to upload an identity document during check-in: off by default for new Properties, so collecting documents is a deliberate opt-in
   • Four retention options for uploaded documents: Delete after ID check is confirmed, Delete on checkout, Delete after a retention period (a value in days, months, or years after check-out: minimum 1 day), or Keep indefinitely (with an extra warning and a stricter confirmation)
   • Deletion now also runs on events: documents can be removed the moment staff confirm the identity check or the guest checks out, not only after a timed period
   • Restrict Passport Upload by Nationality: exclude nationalities for which passports must not be collected; those guests simply use another permitted document type
4. 19 August 2026New

   Adjust the Guest Journey colors, fonts and buttons yourself#

   Account and Property Admins can now change the look of the Guest Journey themselves: once account-wide for every property, and where needed differently for individual properties.

   Details

   • Account-wide: Under Settings → Account → Theme configuration you set the look that applies to every property.
   • Per property: Under Settings → Operations → Theme configuration you override individual values for that property only. Anything you leave untouched keeps following the account.
   • Configurable are Color palette, Fonts & Typography, Buttons, App bar, Bottom navigation, My Stay surfaces, General and PWA (name and short name). Show advanced options reveals the details.
   • Every field states where its value comes from: property, account or LikeMagic default. Reset returns the field to the inherited value.
   • At account scope you also see which properties override a value, and with which one.
5. 10 August 2026New

   Download the Guest Registration Form as PDF#

   Staff can now download a country-specific, pre-filled guest registration form as a PDF directly from any reservation with status in house or checked out.

   Details

   • A new Download registration form action is available in the Action Menu (⋮) both in the Reservations Overview and on the Reservation Details Page.
   • The PDF is generated instantly in the browser and merges the guest’s master data, the captured signature (with its capture date), and the property’s configured field set into a single document.
   • The form is fully configurable per property in Settings → Operations → Registration Form: choose which fields appear (I.e. Identity, Contact, Stay & consent groups), add a custom form title, and enter legal intro and outro texts.
   • All fields are exported by default; each group can be toggled with Select all / Unselect all.
   • The downloaded file is named with the reservation reference, guest surname, and first name for easy filing.
6. 10 August 2026Improved

   Backoffice Layout Redesign – Visual Update#

   We've refreshed the Operations Platform with a cleaner, more consistent layout. All pages now share the same structure, detail views open inline instead of as overlays, Settings are organized into clearer section cards, and the Messages view has improved bubble styling. Mobile spacing is also improved.

7. 6 August 2026New

   Capture Guest's Purpose of Stay During Pre-Check-In#

   Guests can now tell you why they are travelling, business, leisure, or any category you define, directly in the Pre-Check-In Flow, and the value syncs to your PMS where supported.

   Details

   • A new Purpose of Stay dropdown in the Pre-Check-In Flow, on the Digital Guest Portal and the Self-Service Kiosk
   • You manage the options per Property under Settings → Pre-Checkin: sync them from your PMS or add your own, hide, reorder, or delete them, and choose whether the selection is mandatory
   • The selected value is visible on the Reservation Details Page, can be set by Staff in the Check-in Wizard, and is exposed on the public reservation API
   • The same settings page lets you add optional Wake-up time and Estimated arrival time fields to pre-check-in (stored in LIKE MAGIC, not written to the PMS)
8. 5 August 2026New

   OTA and Channel-Manager Bookings Can Now Check In at the Kiosk#

   Guests whose reservation arrived from a channel manager, OTA, or GDS with only a name and stay dates can now check in at the Self-Service Kiosk on their own.

   Details

   • When the standard reservation lookup at the Self-Service Kiosk finds nothing, an automatic fallback lookup matches on the guest's name and stay dates only: no email, phone number, or confirmation number needed
   • The fallback applies only to reservations from external channels with status Confirmed (not yet checked in)
   • Reservations from the Booking Engine, direct entry, or hotel partners are unaffected: their lookup behaves exactly as before
   • Repeated failed lookups remain rate-limited to protect guest data
9. 15 July 2026New

   Choose Your Number of Room Keys at the Kiosk#

   Guests checking in at the Self-Service Kiosk can now select how many room Key Cards they receive, one for each guest on the reservation, without visiting the front desk.

   Details

   • A new step in the Self-Service Kiosk flow, shown before card encoding, lets guests choose the number of room Key Cards
   • The default is the number of adults on the reservation; the maximum is the total number of guests
   • All selected cards are issued in sequence: in normal (encoder) mode the guest is prompted to present each card; in dispenser mode cards are dispensed automatically
   • Works in both kiosk modes: normal (manual encoder) and dispenser (automatic card dispenser)
10. 6 July 2026New

    Capture Billing Addresses During Pre-Check-In#

    Guests can now add a separate billing address, or company billing details, directly in the Pre-Check-in Flow.

    Details

    • A new opt-in checkbox on the Address step: "Change billing address"
    • Unchecked by default, so the step stays short for everyone else
    • When checked, guests can enter or edit the billing address for their Folio
    • Fewer billing addresses need manual correction by your finance team, because guests capture them proactively
11. 18 June 2026Improved

    Easier Access to Reservations on Kiosk and Guest Portal#

    Guests can now access their reservation on the Self-Service Kiosk with a one-time code (OTP) sent to their phone or email, so they no longer need a reservation confirmation number.

    Details

    • Kiosk OTP access: Guests enter their phone number or email at the Self-Service Kiosk, receive a one-time code via SMS, WhatsApp, or email, and unlock their reservation.
    • Two verification modes for Find Reservation (MyStay / InfoStay), one chosen per Property
    • Security Feature mode (default, unchanged): first name, last name, and confirmation number.
    • Unified Field mode (new): first name, last name, arrival and departure dates, plus one flexible field. The Property configures which values that field accepts, for example confirmation number, phone, email, ID number, city, ZIP, or room number.
    • OTA confirmation numbers now recognized: When a guest enters a confirmation number, the system also matches against Booking.com, and other OTA references if provided by the PMS.
12. 29 May 2026New

    New: Guest Notification Filter#

    Account Admins can now maintain a Recipient Blocklist to prevent guest notifications from being sent to specific addresses – account-wide and across all channels.

    Details

    • Add any address (email or phone number) to the blocklist with a reason
    • The filter applies to all channels: Email, SMS, and WhatsApp
    • Changes take effect immediately – no additional step required
13. 28 May 2026New

    Role and Access Management#

    User management for the LIKE MAGIC platform is now handled exclusively through the Settings in the Operations Platform. Management via KeyCloak is no longer available.

    Details

    • Users and their roles are managed centrally in the Operations Platform
    • User groups enable bundled control over module access
    • Role and access rights are assigned directly per property
14. 28 May 2026New

    Kiosk V2: A Modernized Self-Service Kiosk Experience#

    We’ve redesigned the Self-Service Kiosk with a better touch-first experience, a new layout architecture, and improved walk-in booking directly at the kiosk.

    Details

    • Redesigned Idle / Welcome Screen: Large, touch-friendly buttons, a simple language switcher that also controls locale formatting, and optional images managed through the CMS.
    • Improved Check-in Flow: Every step of the check-in process now uses the new layout and a clear progress stepper, including an updated animation for keycard encoding.
    • Walk-in Booking at the Kiosk: The kiosk IBE now features simplified date input and a card-free interface optimized for fixed-location usage.
    • One-Tap Rollout Control for Staff: A new Kiosk V2 toggle in the Self-Service section of the Self-Service Kiosk allows you to switch between V1 and V2 at any time, without any backend changes.
15. 16 March 2026New

    Settings: Self-Service Kiosk Configuration#

    The Kiosk Configuration allows a Property Admin to define whether and how the Self-Service Kiosk feature should be set up and used.

16. 5 March 2026New

    Lock Unit Assignment to Prevent Room Changes#

    You can now lock a reservation's unit assignment directly in the Operations Platform, preventing the room from being reassigned until you explicitly unlock it.

    Details

    • Lock or unlock a unit assignment via Reservation Actions
    • Available for reservations in Confirmed or In-House status
    • Also referred to as "Do Not Move"
17. 11 February 2026New

    New Log-in Methods#

    The login page has been redesigned with a fresh, modern look. In addition to the visual update, two important new features are now available: Passkey sign-in and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for enhanced account security. This addresses Guests and Hosts.

18. 26 January 2026New

    Reservation Alerts#

    Reservation Alerts lets you create targeted notifications that appear to staff at the right moment during a guest's stay.

    Details

    • Context-aware timing: Alerts display based on reservation lifecycle: Check-In, In-House, Check-Out, Billing, or always visible
    • Flexible display options: Show as subtle notification banners or attention-grabbing pop-up modals that require acknowledgment
    • Multiple touchpoints: Alerts appear in the Reservation Overview widget, Details page, Check-in Wizard, and Billing tab
    • Oracle OPERA Cloud sync: Bidirectional synchronization keeps alerts consistent across systems (where enabled)

Show 2025 (27 updates)

1. 22 December 2025New

   Italian Pre-Check-In: Document Type & Place of Birth#

   Guests checking in to Italian properties will now be required to provide additional information during pre-check-in to comply with local regulations.

   Details

   • Document Type
2. 17 December 2025Improved

   Redesigned Conversation Sidebar#

   The Conversation Sidebar has been redesigned to improve clarity and provide faster access to key guest and reservation information, helping staff stay informed while communicating with guests.

   Details

   • Room number
   • Number of nights
   • Number of guests, including children’s ages (when available)
   • Booking channel
   • External reference / OTA booking number
3. 17 December 2025Improved

   Further Communication Hub Enhancements#

   Staff can now initiate new conversations directly from the Communication Hub, no need to navigate through a reservation first.

   Details

   • A +New Conversation button is now available in the top-right corner of the Communication Hub.
   • WhatsApp: Conversations must be initiated using an approved WhatsApp template.
   • Email & SMS: Staff can compose messages directly in the input field, with the optional ability to use message templates.
4. 1 December 2025New

   WhatsApp Conversation Restart - Reopen expired WhatsApp conversations or start a new one with your clients#

   We're introducing the ability to restart WhatsApp conversations that have expired due to Meta's 24-hour inactivity rule. When a conversation window closes, you can now seamlessly reopen it using approved message templates.

   Details

   • Restart Expired or New Conversations: Reopen conversations after the 24-hour window closes
   • Flexible Template Options: Choose between one template types for new and restarting
5. 10 November 2025New

   Settings: Housekeeping View#

   The Housekeeping View configuration enables a Property Admin to define which Housekeeping View is enabled, and how the task management Housekeeping View V2 is configured.

6. 3 November 2025New

   LIKE MAGIC Open API: Your Gateway to Seamless Hospitality Integrations#

   You now have full control over how your integrations connect and communicate, directly through our LIKE MAGIC Open API!

   Details

   • Event and Data Hub – Real-time event streaming and guest intelligence
   • Guest Journey – Guest experience and door access management
   • Guest – Reservation management and order item posting for third-party integration
   • Integration – Chatbot integration for unified messaging
   • Inventory – Property configuration and management data for hospitality systems
7. 28 October 2025Improved

   New cart layout#

   The guest cart view has been completely redesigned.

   Details

   • Name of the accommodation
   • Name of the room category booked
   • Arrival and departure dates
   • Price overview
   • Number of guests
8. 27 October 2025NewApaleo

   We support the PreCheckedIn flag from Apaleo#

   We’re excited to announce that LIKE MAGIC now supports the PreCheckedIn flag from Apaleo – a highly requested feature by many of our customers!

9. 13 October 2025New

   Settings: Door Access#

   You now have full control over the management of your online locks and doors!

   Details

   • configure door mapping for all hotel rooms individually,
   • control the accessibility of individual doors,
   • set a sorting priority,
   • manage the activation status of your doors,
   • link doors to services so that they only become visible after a service purchase,
10. 21 August 2025New

    Prepayment – Configuration#

    You can now define which services are included in the prepayment and which are not.

11. 21 August 2025New

    Approval Flows: Services on approval#

    Since the very first services were made available on the guest platform, many of you have asked for the option to offer services on approval instead of having them booked immediately.

    Details

    • A service can be configured as "approval required" in its detailed settings
    • Incoming requests automatically create a high-priority task and a red alert in the reservation
    • Once a request is accepted, payment needs to be collected manually (e.g. via payment link or on-site)
12. 23 July 2025NewOpera Cloud

    Reverse Check-in#

    Sometimes, check-ins happen too soon or by mistake, and fixing that used to be quite a hassle. Not anymore!

    Details

    • Undo check-ins quickly without having to clone or recreate reservations through PMS or through LIKE MAGIC by just one click within the Reservations Action Menu
    • The reservation status is set back to "due in", the arrival status
    • Guest key access is removed automatically from their digital key menu
13. 17 July 2025New

    Invoice Display: The VAT#

    A lot of our customers and more importantly, your guests, requested to see gross amounts instead of net amounts if a bill is being presented on the digital guest platform.

    Details

    • No display of VAT
    • Gross Prices: Individual items show gross prices, a VAT summary line is still displayed
    • Net Prices: Individual items show net prices, a VAT summary line is displayed
14. 16 July 2025NewApaleo

    We support the Revert Check-in#

    Apaleo released the feature in June - now you can use it with LIKE MAGIC.

    Details

    • Undo check-ins quickly without having to clone or recreate reservations through Apaleo or through LIKE MAGIC by just one click within the Reservations Action Menu
    • The reservation status is set back to "confirmed"
    • Guest key access is removed automatically from their digital key menu
15. 18 June 2025NewApaleo

    Promo Codes - Configuration#

    Promo codes can be configured independently.

16. 18 June 2025New

    Additional Services - Configuration#

    Additional services can be configured independently.

17. 3 June 2025Improved

    Simplified Language Selection#

    Language selection is now accessible directly from the main navigation. Additionally, date, currency, and number formats can be configured independently of the selected language.

18. 26 May 2025Improved

    Now Live: Task Management Redesigned for Mobile#

    We’ve just launched a brand-new mobile experience for Task Management, making it easier and faster for your staff to stay on top of their to-dos while on the move. With improved layouts, swipe gestures, and thumb-friendly controls, managing tasks on mobile feels smoother and more intuitive than ever.

    Details

    • Swipe to mark tasks as done in a flash
    • Cleaner layout for quick scanning and prioritization
    • Thumb-reachable actions and swipe-to-close gestures for seamless use on the go
19. 11 May 2025NewMews

    Add Extra Services to Reservations as Staff#

    You can now add extra services directly to a guest’s reservation from the Backoffice app. Just go to a reservation and select from the services already configured for your property.

20. 7 May 2025NewApaleo

    Filter Function Now Available in Units View#

    The Units View in the Backoffice application just got smarter. We've added the filter function to make it easier for staff to quickly sort and manage rooms based on their needs.

21. 4 April 2025NewApaleoMews

    Spot Group Bookings on Reservation Overview#

    We’ve added a Group Booking Indicator to the Reservation Overview to make managing group stays faster and clearer than ever.

22. 24 March 2025New

    Optional QR Overlay on the Booking Engine#

    We’re excited to announce a new configuration option for the QR overlay displayed on our Booking Engine/Guest Journey! This QR code is designed to seamlessly guide guests to the mobile experience for a smoother and more convenient booking process.

    Details

    • If you feel that the QR overlay isn’t necessary for your setup or guest experience, you now have the option to disable it.
23. 16 March 2025New

    Monitor Guest Door Access with Ease#

    We’re thrilled to introduce a powerful new feature that enhances operational efficiency for hotel operators: the ability to monitor guests' online door access directly linked to their reservations.

    Details

    • Door – A unique identifier for each door.
    • Status – The outcome of the access request (e.g., success, failed to open).
    • Requestor – The person making the access request (e.g., primary guest).
    • Timestamp – The date and time of the access event.
24. 5 March 2025New

    Unread Messages Notifications#

    We are excited to introduce the feature for notifications of unread messages to enhance your messaging experience!

    Details

    • you get immediately notified when you receive new messages, ensuring quick response times
    • notifications appear within the app and as system alerts, making it easy to stay updated
    • clicking a notification takes you directly to the messaging section, improving efficiency and reducing missed communications.
25. 10 February 2025Improved

    Refreshed Guest Insights for a More Intuitive Experience#

    We’ve redesigned the Guest Insights section to be more user-friendly and visually optimized. Now, all key guest details, personal information, preferences, special requests, and loyalty data, are positioned exactly where you expect them, making it easier than ever to personalize the guest experience.

26. 10 February 2025Improved

    Enhanced Sidebar Navigation#

    We’re excited to introduce a refreshed Sidebar Navigation that enhances usability with a more intuitive layout while maintaining all the core functionalities you rely on!

    Details

    • Notification badges indicate pending tasks, new messages, and alerts.
    • The “What’s New” alert section keeps you informed about the latest feature releases and is now placed at the bottom of the navigation, previously located in the top-right header.
27. 3 February 2025Improved

    Messaging UI Refresh – A Smoother, More Intuitive Experience#

    We’ve refreshed the Messaging UI to improve usability, streamline workflows and enhance visibility. With a cleaner design and optimized placement of key features, navigating conversations is now more intuitive than ever.

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