From Frustration to Innovation: The Origin Story Behind Mews

Some startups begin with a spark of genius, but Mews started with frustration—frustration with the clunky, outdated software that dominated the hospitality industry.  Valtr saw firsthand the inefficiencies that plagued hotel operations. Determined to find a better way, he teamed up with Matthijs Welle, a fellow hospitality veteran, to create a platform that would revolutionize the industry.

Richard Valtr, the visionary behind Mews, comes from a family with deep roots in the hotel industry. His family owned and operated several hotels, giving him a firsthand look at the challenges hoteliers face daily. Frustrated with the inefficiencies of traditional property management systems, Richard was determined to find a better way. 

Matthijs Welle, who joined Richard in 2012 as the  CEO of Mews. Matthijs brought with him a wealth of experience in the hospitality sector, having worked his way up in various hotel management roles. His hands-on experience gave him unique insights into the operational challenges of running a hotel, which perfectly complemented Richard’s vision.

The hospitality industry is notoriously slow to adopt new technology, and convincing hoteliers to switch to a cloud-based platform was no easy feat. However, Valtr and Welle’s combined experience and unwavering belief in their product eventually paid off. Mews quickly gained traction, and today, it’s a leading player in the hospitality management software market, serving over 5,000 properties across more than 85 countries.

Room for Growth: Expanding the Horizons of Hotel Tech

Welcome to the future of hospitality management! The hospitality management software market is undergoing a transformative shift, with digital solutions at the forefront of revolutionizing guest experiences and operational efficiencies.

Market Overview

The global hotel and hospitality management software market is not just growing; it’s booming. Valued at approximately USD 3.5 billion in 2023, the market is forecasted to reach around USD 5.5 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.84%. This robust growth is driven by the increasing adoption of cloud-based solutions and the growing demand for integrated security and guest service management systems ​​(IMARC).

Key Trends and Innovations

1. Cloud-Based Dominance: Cloud-based platforms are increasingly popular due to their scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. They allow for seamless updates and integrations, which are crucial in today’s fast-paced market environment.
2. Diverse Applications: The market caters to a wide array of property types, including business hotels, heritage hotels, and resorts, each with unique demands and operational nuances.
3. Technological Integration: From guest service management to building automation systems, technology is being leveraged to enhance every aspect of hotel operations, ensuring not just improved guest satisfaction but also operational agility​.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific is leading the charge in the adoption of hospitality management software, driven by rapid technological advancements and an increase in tourism and hospitality activities. North America and Europe also present significant growth opportunities, with many companies investing in advanced, integrated solutions to stay competitive​.

Competitive Landscape

The market is highly competitive, with key players like Oracle, Cloudbeds, and Amadeus IT Group pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in hospitality technology. These companies are continually innovating, striving to provide solutions that not only meet the current demands of hoteliers but also anticipate future needs​.

Mews-ing Over Success: How Mews is Shaping the Future of Hotels

Mission

Mews’ mission is straightforward yet ambitious: to transform the hospitality industry through innovative cloud solutions. The company aims to make hospitality more rewarding and efficient by automating mundane tasks and allowing staff to focus on delivering remarkable guest experiences. This mission drives every decision Mews makes and is deeply embedded in their company culture.

Vision

Mews envisions a world where hotel management is seamless, digital, and deeply integrated with guest expectations. Their vision is to lead the industry into a fully digital future, where technology enhances the human touch that defines great hospitality.

Problems They Solve

Mews addresses some of the most pressing challenges in hospitality management:

• Operational Inefficiency: By automating repetitive tasks like night audits and check-ins, Mews frees up hotel staff to focus on guests.
• Disjointed Systems: Mews’ cloud-based platform integrates various aspects of hotel management, from booking to payment processing, eliminating the need for multiple, disconnected systems.
• Guest Experience: With tools like mobile check-ins and embedded payment systems, Mews enhances the guest experience, making it smoother and more personalized.

Business Model

Mews operates on a SaaS (Software as a Service) business model, offering its platform to hotels, hostels, and other hospitality businesses on a subscription basis. The platform is cloud-based, which means clients can access it from anywhere with an internet connection. This model is scalable and flexible, allowing Mews to cater to a wide range of property types, from boutique hotels to large chains. Additionally, Mews generates revenue through its marketplace, offering over 1,000 integrations with third-party applications, further extending its platform’s capabilities.

The Full Suite: Mews’ Toolbox for Total Hotel Management

Think your hotel’s tech stack is complete? Think again! Mews has redefined what it means to manage a hospitality business by offering a comprehensive, cloud-based platform that does it all.

Mews Operations

Mews Operations is the backbone of the Mews ecosystem, automating and streamlining every aspect of hotel management. It simplifies tasks like reservation management, housekeeping, and rate management. By cutting down on repetitive tasks, it frees up your staff to focus on what really matters—your guests. With tools for front desk, back office, and housekeeping, Mews Operations ensures that your entire property runs smoothly and efficiently​.

Mews Guest Experience

Mews is all about making every guest’s stay remarkable. The Mews Guest Experience suite includes a modern booking engine, a virtual concierge, and customizable self-check-in kiosks. These digital solutions remove the friction from the guest journey, from booking to checkout, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience. Whether it’s using a digital key or automating upsells, Mews enhances guest satisfaction at every touchpoint​.

Mews Payments

Mews Payments takes the headache out of payment processing. It offers a fully embedded payment system that handles everything from one-click payments to secure tokenization and integrated payment terminals. By automating payment processes, Mews ensures that transactions are smooth, secure, and nearly invisible to the guest, allowing for a more enjoyable stay​.

Mews Marketplace

With over 1,000 integrations available, Mews Marketplace is where flexibility meets innovation. Whether you need accounting software, business intelligence tools, or guest technology integrations, the Mews Marketplace has you covered. And the best part? There are no connection fees, so you can customize your tech stack without breaking the bank​.

Mews Multi-Property

Managing multiple properties? Mews Multi-Property is designed to centralize operations across hotel groups and chains. It offers features like bulk rate management, centralized user roles, and multi-property APIs. This solution ensures consistency and efficiency across all your properties, making it easier to scale and manage a growing portfolio​.

Mews POS (Point of Sale)

Mews POS integrates seamlessly with the rest of the Mews platform to provide a complete F&B solution. From inventory management to digital ordering, Mews POS helps your staff deliver a smooth and efficient dining experience, enhancing guest satisfaction while optimizing operations​.

Mews Open API

For hotels that need custom solutions, Mews Open API offers limitless possibilities. It allows for the integration of bespoke or third-party applications, empowering hotels to create a fully customized tech ecosystem that meets their unique business goals​.

Trophy Room: Mews’ Accolades and Impact on the Hospitality World

With a client base that has grown by nearly 40% in the last year alone, Mews now powers over 5,000 properties across more than 85 countries. From boutique hotels to international chains, Mews has established itself as the go-to solution for modern hospitality management​

Their rapid expansion, particularly in key markets like North America and Europe, underscores their influence. The platform has processed over €3.5 billion in payments since January 2023, reflecting its critical role in the financial operations of its clients. The adoption of Mews by industry giants such as The Social Hub, Airelles, and Generator-Freehand highlights the platform’s scalability and reliability​ (Hotel Tech Report).

In 2024, Mews was named the Best Property Management System (PMS) at the HotelTechAwards, one of the most respected accolades in the hospitality industry. This is the second time Mews has earned this title, further proving their consistency in delivering cutting-edge solutions. The awards are largely driven by customer reviews, with Mews achieving a perfect HT Score of 100—an outstanding accomplishment (Mews PMS)​.

Additionally, Mews has been recognized as the World’s Best Hotel PMS Provider at the 2023 World Travel Tech Awards. These awards, coupled with its inclusion in the Top 10 Places to Work in Hotel Tech, emphasize Mews’ commitment to both innovation and workplace excellence​ (Hospitality Net).

Power Pairs: Mews’ Winning Collaborations in Hospitality Tech

One of Mews’ most significant partnerships is with Amadeus, a global leader in travel technology. This collaboration, which began in 2018 and expanded further in 2024, is aimed at creating a more interconnected hospitality ecosystem. By integrating with Amadeus’ iHotelier, Mews allows hoteliers to tap into extensive distribution networks and gain deeper market insights. This partnership has already benefitted nearly 100 joint customers, enabling them to manage bookings and enhance guest loyalty more effectively​ (Mews Amadeus Collaboration).

Marketplace with Over 1,000 Integrations

Mews has built an extensive Marketplace that now boasts over 1,000 integrations. This marketplace is a game-changer for hoteliers, offering plug-and-play solutions that improve hotel operations and enhance the guest experience. Whether it’s integrating with revenue management systems like Duetto, which has led to over 600 joint hotel customers, or collaborating with apps that optimize guest experiences, Mews ensures that hoteliers have access to the best tools available. This seamless integration process, free from connection fees, allows properties to build their ideal tech stack quickly and efficiently

Strategic Partnership with Accor

In another significant move, Mews partnered with Accor, one of the world’s largest hospitality groups, to support its ambitious digital transformation program. This partnership aims to streamline operations across Accor’s 350-room hotels, modernize the guest journey, and reinforce Accor’s vision of augmented hospitality.

Cashing In on Innovation: Mews’ Financial Journey

Series D: March 2024

On March 4, 2024, Mews secured a whopping $110 million in a Series D funding round, led by Kinnevik. This round catapulted Mews to a valuation of $1.2 billion. Existing investors like Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Notion Capital, and Revaia continued their support, with LGVP joining as a new investor. The funds will fuel global expansion, product development, and strategic acquisitions as Mews strengthens its position as a leader in hospitality technology​.

Series C: December 2022

In December 2022, Mews closed a significant Series C round, raising $185 million and bringing the company’s valuation to $865 million. The round was led by Kinnevik and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, with participation from several other institutional investors including Revaia and Battery Ventures. This round was pivotal for Mews, marking a period of accelerated growth with a 174% increase in revenue year-over-year and a 227% rise in Gross Payment Volume (GPV), reaching $2.3 billion.

Earlier Rounds

Mews has consistently attracted substantial investment since its inception. The Series B round in August 2019 brought in $33 million, led by Battery Ventures. Before that, the Series A round in June 2018 raised $7 million, which helped Mews expand its market reach and develop its product suite.

The company’s revenue trajectory is equally impressive. In 2022, Mews reported a 174% year-over-year revenue increase, surpassing $100 million in annualized net revenue. The company also saw a remarkable growth in Gross Payment Volume (GPV), which surged 227% to over $8 billion ​(Mews PMS).

The Final Check-Out: Why Mews is the Future of Hospitality Management

From its innovative cloud-based platform to its impressive market impact, Mews is reshaping how hotels operate. With strong leadership, strategic partnerships, and significant financial backing, Mews is set to lead the hospitality industry into a new era. It simplifies operations, enhances guest experiences, and drives profitability for hoteliers worldwide. 

With a presence in over 85 countries, Mews is a global leader, continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in hospitality technology. Feeling inspired? Don’t just dream about change—make it happen. If you have an idea, now is the time to act. Learn from Mews’ success, and start working on your vision today. 

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