Access Group Expands with Acquisition of SHR Group

Access Group Expands with Acquisition of SHR Group

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on June 13, 2024

The Access Group, a leading business management software provider valued at over $1.3 billion, is expanding its footprint in the North American hotel tech market with the acquisition of SHR Group. This move integrates SHR’s advanced capabilities into Access's AI-powered platform, further enhancing their end-to-end solutions for the hospitality industry.

SHR Group, based in Houston, Texas, specializes in hotel and casino technology. This acquisition is set to complement Access’s previous acquisition of Guestline, a Property Management Software (PMS) provider with a strong presence in DACH and Europe. By merging SHR’s 2,000 hotel customers with Guestline's 3,000 properties, the combined client base will experience improved efficiency and profitability through a complete digital guest journey.

The integration of SHR solidifies Access Hospitality as one of the few comprehensive software providers in the global hotel industry. SHR’s offerings include a dynamic Central Reservation System (CRS), Internet Booking Engine (IBE), Customer Relationship Manager (CRM), Revenue Management System (RMS), and digital marketing and loyalty program tools. Leveraging AI, SHR customizes content on direct booking sites to increase relevance and maximize revenues through conversion, upselling, and cross-selling.

This strategic acquisition will enable Access to further penetrate the US market and cater to larger hotel groups with more complex distribution needs than smaller boutique and independent operators. Access employs a modular approach, allowing hoteliers to customize their tech stack while ensuring seamless integration of key components.

Jonah Paransky, appointed as Access President of the Americas earlier this year, said “This deal has taken us a step closer to achieving our goal of being the global go-to technology partner for hotels, helping them deliver exceptional guest experiences and increase their profitability. SHR’s pioneering use of technology and laser focus on customer experience make it a natural fit for Access. This acquisition is a key milestone in our drive to grow our market share in the US and tap into the massive growth opportunity the market presents.”

The Access Group, with more than 7,000 employees worldwide, provides software solutions across multiple sectors, including hospitality. Their hospitality division currently supports over 20,000 hotels, multi-site pubs and bars, restaurants, food-to-go, and leisure operators. This division aims to enhance guest experiences and improve venue profitability through fully integrated software solutions.

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Champa Magesh, MD of Access Hospitality, commented “We’ve always worked to provide world-class products and unrivaled technological capabilities and SHR embodies that ambition. SHR is undoubtedly the world’s leading automated hotel technology platform and a significant addition to our hospitality offering. In this competitive and increasingly complex industry, leveraging AI’s immense potential will give hoteliers a competitive edge – enabling them to revolutionize guest experiences, drive operational efficiencies, and increase revenue. It further bolsters our accommodation offer following the acquisition of Guestline last year – a leading hotel distribution and operations platform provider.”

Rod Jimenez, CEO of SHR, echoed this sentiment, saying “Access is already a leader in providing software and services to UK and European hotels. Its focus on offering solutions that support customers with their entire operations enable hoteliers to deliver excellent guest experiences cost-effectively, profitably and sustainably. By joining the Access Hospitality family, SHR’s customers gain access to a complete suite of products and services. The ability to draw on the expertise of Access’ extensive network of partners will not only help our customers; it will provide us with the ability to accelerate capabilities and innovation across our products and customer support services.”

About SHR

SHR Group, established in 2004 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, with offices in Europe and Asia-Pacific, is a leading global specialist in technology and services for the hotel sector. Dedicated to keeping its clients ahead in a fast-paced and competitive market, SHR empowers hotels and resorts to enhance revenue and customer lifetime value throughout the guest journey. This is achieved by integrating the potential of AI with a dynamic product suite of automated and integrated solutions. Additionally, SHR Hotel Services focuses on providing the hospitality industry with a competitive edge through exceptional digital services and consultancy. For more information about SHR, visit www.shrgroup.com.

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About The Access Group

The Access Group, headquartered in the UK, is a leading provider of business management software for small and mid-sized organizations in the UK, Ireland, USA, and Asia Pacific. It serves over 100,000 customers across commercial and non-profit sectors, enhancing their productivity and efficiency. The company's innovative cloud solutions revolutionize business software usage, enabling employees to focus on what matters most. Founded in 1991, The Access Group employs approximately 6,800 people. For more information, visit www.theaccessgroup.com 


Transforming Hospitality: The Impact of Sustainability on Hotel Operations

Transforming Hospitality: The Impact of Sustainability on Hotel Operations

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 12, 2025

Picture a busy day in your hotel. Guests are checking in, the front desk is juggling calls, invoices are stacking up, menus need updating, and someone just asked about your eco-friendly practices. Teams are working hard, yet the pressure never seems to ease. As hoteliers, we know this scene well  and we also know it’s not just about keeping things running, but about creating a future where our operations are smarter, greener, and more guest-focused.

Challenges on the Path to Sustainability

Sustainability is no longer a choice; it’s a mandate, and the time has come. Guests expect it, regulators demand it, and costs make it unavoidable. Running paper-heavy processes, relying on outdated servers, or handling manual stock tracking is more than inconvenient, it holds back growth, impacts profitability, and puts your brand at odds with today’s expectations.

How Technology Supports Sustainability

This is where technology steps in, not as a replacement for hospitality, but as an enabler of it. Cloud-based platforms can eliminate the clutter of paper with digital check-ins and e-receipts, reduce waste with smarter inventory systems, and allow managers to monitor performance in real time, even when away from the property. For staff, this means less firefighting and more time to work together, creating an inclusive culture where every department is connected and updated instantly. For leadership, it means running operations that are leaner, faster, and aligned with the values guests expect from modern hospitality.

But let’s be clear: the goal is not technology for technology’s sake. The goal is to elevate guest experience, ensure seamless operations, and maximize revenue. Whether it’s a boutique hotel making its mark, an aspiring hotel group looking to expand, or a well-established chain managing multiple properties, the right digital foundation can be the difference between keeping up and leading the way.

This is where InnKey comes in. More than just a “cloud PMS,” InnKey unifies hotel operations on a single, enterprise-grade platform,  reservations, F&B, finance, procurement, and guest engagement, all connected and accessible anywhere. It’s proven at scale with leading hotel chains, yet agile enough for independent properties. Built with a mobile-first approach, InnKey empowers teams to work on tablets and smartphones, freeing hotels from printers, static terminals, and even the traditional front desk. Imagine a hotel where guests glide through check-in without queues, where no phones ring, yet every department stays informed in real time, and where operations feel invisible, but flawless.

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And here is what sets InnKey apart: while many solutions promise the cloud, InnKey delivers security, scalability, and clarity. With the highest standards of data protection, open APIs for seamless integrations, and robust architecture, it gives hoteliers the confidence that their business is not just digitized, but future proofed. The hospitality industry doesn’t need to digitize the past. It needs to reinvent the future. The urgency is real, the opportunity is here, and the path is clear. It’s time to rethink hospitality and create sustainable hotels that truly last.

Ready to take the first step? Schedule a conversation with an InnKey expert today  and let’s design the roadmap to make your hotel sustainable, mobile-first, and guest-ready for tomorrow. The future isn’t waiting, and neither should you.

For more info, mail us at: sales@innkeypms.net


Eden Homestay Launches Online Portal for Faster and Simpler Bookings

Eden Homestay Launches Online Portal for Faster and Simpler Bookings

By Hariharan U

Published on September 10, 2025

Eden Homestay has unveiled its new online booking website- https://edenhomestay.co  designed to make planning stays in Hyderabad faster, simpler, and more convenient for domestic and international guests alike.

The upgraded portal features a modern interface, seamless mobile compatibility, and faster loading speeds, enabling users to browse photos, check real-time availability, read detailed room descriptions, and confirm bookings with ease.

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The new portal comes with a host of guest-friendly upgrades, including multi-currency and multi-language support for international travellers, transparent pricing for both Indian and global users, a redeemable reward points system, and the option to purchase and use gift cards. It also allows property owners to list their stays, helping promote tourism, while authentic guest reviews assist travellers in making the right choice. To ensure safety and ease, the platform is backed by secure 256-bit encryption for payments, along with a refreshed photo gallery, detailed room descriptions, and Google Maps integration for quick navigation.

A spokesperson for Eden Homestay shared, “We wanted the booking process to feel as comfortable and effortless as the stay itself. This upgrade is part of our commitment to offering ease, warmth, and quality to every guest.”

Key highlights of the website also include a new photo gallery, clear room descriptions, and Google Maps integration for quick navigation.

Established in Hyderabad, Eden Homestay has earned a reputation for its cozy atmosphere, clean rooms, and family-friendly hospitality. Catering to families, students, corporates, and solo travellers, the property combines affordability with comfort. With this digital upgrade, Eden Homestay aims to further boost both domestic and international tourism in Hyderabad.

Book your next stay today at https://edenhomestay.co/.


Spalba Signs 150 Hotels in H1 2025 as Digital Venue Demand Surges

Spalba Signs 150 Hotels in H1 2025 as Digital Venue Demand Surges

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 10, 2025

Spalba, the SaaS-enabled B2B venue marketplace, has signed more than 150 hotels in the first half of 2025, underlining the growing adoption of digital platforms in the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) segment.

Nearly 40% of these signings came from contract renewals with existing partners, reflecting a healthy renewal rate of over 79%. Key renewals included properties such as The Oberoi New Delhi, Pullman Aerocity, Alila Diwa Goa, Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, and Heritage Village Manesar.

At the same time, Spalba has added new hotels across India and South Asia. These include prominent names such as Hilton Kathmandu, Leela Gandhinagar, Grand Hyatt Gurgaon, Grand Hyatt Mumbai, Fairmont Mumbai, and Aurika Udaipur.

The platform also reported a 300% increase in query volumes during the January–June period, crossing 1,500 compared to the same period last year. Most of these queries came from corporate buyers and planners looking to evaluate venues digitally before confirming bookings.

“Renewals from marquee hotels are the strongest signal that the platform is helping properties drive measurable event-led revenue,” said Naveen Gupta, Founder of Spalba. “Eliminating paperwork and reducing the need for repeated site visits have been major factors in increasing adoption.”

Alongside large hotel chains, boutique and independent properties are also joining Spalba. Recent sign-ups include Signature Club Resort, The Corinthians Resort, Cherish Ballroom Vasant Kunj, Neo Convention Hyderabad, Caravela Beach Resort Goa, The Club Mumbai, and India Expo Mart Ltd. Industry observers view this trend as smaller players turning to technology to compete with bigger brands for MICE business.

Spalba positions itself as a digital infrastructure layer for the hospitality sector. Its platform allows hotels to display real-time venue layouts, streamline RFP processes, and connect directly with corporate buyers. With MICE revenue becoming a central part of hotel growth, particularly in urban and resort markets, technology-led solutions are fast becoming essential.

Looking ahead, Spalba is preparing to expand into Southeast Asia, targeting markets like Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia where demand for digitised venue intelligence and planning tools is on the rise.

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