Global Director - Mid-Market Onboarding

Union Square Plaza Hotel enhances efficiency with Cloudbeds API integration. By harnessing Cloudbeds' open API, Union Square Plaza Hotel has pioneered custom AI tools for rate and inventory management, enabling a new level of operational flexibility and innovation in the hospitality sector. Key facts. * Union Square Plaza's use of Cloudbeds API enables custom AI tools, enhancing operational efficiency. * Owner Sal Patel's non-technical background shows low barriers for tech innovation in hospitality. * Open API access allows rapid adaptation to market changes, reducing reliance on vendor roadmaps. * AI-assisted rate management could significantly boost revenue by optimizing pricing strategies. * Custom tech solutions position Union Square Plaza competitively against larger hotel chains. Summary. Union Square Plaza Hotel faced challenges in managing inventory and rates effectively due to limitations in existing technology solutions. By leveraging Cloudbeds' open API, the hotel developed custom AI-assisted tools for inventory and rate management, enabling more efficient decision-making. This innovative approach allowed the hotel to tailor technology to its specific operational needs without relying on third-party vendors. Background. Union Square Plaza Hotel is an independent 85-room hotel located in San Francisco's theater district, providing guests access to iconic attractions. Before deploying Cloudbeds' technology, the hotel struggled with fragmented systems for property management, channel management, and revenue management, which hindered operational efficiency. Challenge. The hotel aimed to solve the problem of inefficient rate and inventory management, which was exacerbated by the limitations of existing software solutions and vendor roadmaps. The need for a more integrated and customizable approach to hotel operations was critical. Solution. Union Square Plaza Hotel utilized Cloudbeds' open API to create its own AI-assisted tools for inventory and rate management. The implementation involved accessing and analyzing unified data from Cloudbeds, allowing the hotel to ask operational questions in plain English and receive actionable insights. This included developing a conversational interface for rate management that integrates data on availability, occupancy, and existing rates. Store Big Data Results. The deployment of AI-assisted tools has streamlined the hotel's operations, significantly improving the efficiency of rate decision-making. While specific metrics on performance improvements were not provided, the qualitative outcome indicates a more effective management process tailored to the hotel's unique needs. Key insights. The case illustrates the value of an open API in enabling businesses to innovate without being constrained by vendor limitations. It highlights how non-technical professionals can leverage modern AI tools to address specific operational challenges, reducing the need for in-house development teams. Customer testimonial. "I wanted access to our hotel data so we could experiment with AI and build tools specifically around the way we operate Union Square Plaza Hotel." - Sal Patel, Owner Discover more Learn AI Tools Learn Engineering Technologies Key concepts. AI-assisted tools hotel operations rate management inventory management custom technology independent hotels data accessibility Definitions. * open API - An open API allows developers to access a software platform's features and data without restrictions, enabling custom integrations and innovations. * AI-assisted tools - AI-assisted tools leverage artificial intelligence to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency in various tasks. * rate management - Rate management involves analyzing and adjusting pricing strategies based on various factors such as occupancy and demand. * inventory management - Inventory management refers to the process of overseeing and controlling the availability of hotel rooms and resources. * hospitality management system - A hospitality management system integrates various operational functions such as booking, guest communication, and revenue management into a single platform. Use cases. * | AI-assisted rate management * | custom AI tools for inventory management * | data analysis for pricing decisions * | conversational AI for hotel inquiries * | building technology without a development team * | real-time intelligence for operational decisions Frequently asked questions. What is the benefit of using Cloudbeds' open API? The open API allows Union Square Plaza Hotel to access their data freely and build custom solutions tailored to their specific operational needs, without being limited by third-party integrations. How does AI assist in hotel operations? AI helps analyze data and automate decision-making processes, making it easier for hotel operators to manage inventory, pricing, and guest interactions efficiently. Can someone without a technical background use the Cloudbeds API? Yes, as demonstrated by Sal Patel, individuals without a software development background can utilize the Cloudbeds API to create custom tools by focusing on hospitality challenges rather than coding. What types of tools can be developed using the Cloudbeds API? The API can be used to develop a variety of tools, including AI-assisted rate management systems, inventory management solutions, and custom reporting tools that enhance operational efficiency. Why is data accessibility important for hotels? Data accessibility allows hotels to make informed decisions based on real-time insights, enabling them to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and improve overall guest experiences.

Cloudbeds announces new Alliance partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest independent hotel brand. September 29, 2026 09:00 ET | Source: Cloudbeds Cloudbeds becomes the latest addition to Preferred Hotels & Resorts' Alliance Partner Program, providing turnkey solutions to its global portfolio of independent luxury properties. SAN DIEGO, Sept. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Cloudbeds, the hospitality management system built for ambitious hoteliers who demand more, today announced its new affiliation with Preferred Hotels & Resorts as the latest addition to the brand's Alliance Partner Program. This partnership solidifies Cloudbeds' position as a recommended provider of unified hotel management technology for Preferred Hotels & Resorts member properties across the globe. Through this partnership, Preferred Hotels & Resorts' member hotels will be able to adopt Cloudbeds' intelligent platform to help turn technology into a driver of profitable growth. Built on a unified data model, the Cloudbeds platform brings operations, distribution, guest experience, and revenue marketing together, giving teams a shared, real-time understanding of their business and the ability to act on it. This unified foundation powers AI-driven insights and automation that help hotels anticipate demand, optimize pricing, and personalize guest engagement. With an open architecture that supports specialist integrations, including the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Booking Engine, and multi-property growth, Cloudbeds gives member hotels the flexibility to build and scale on their own terms. "Preferred Hotels & Resorts is a defining name in luxury hospitality, bringing together extraordinary properties with an exceptional commitment to service," said Rafael Blanes, Chief Growth Officer at Cloudbeds. "Hotels of this distinction deserve technology that matches their ambition and the standards their guests expect. This partnership is about giving member hotels the confidence and capacity to grow while keeping their teams focused on the care and attention that define luxury hospitality." "At Preferred Hotels & Resorts, we are committed to providing our member hotels with innovative resources that help them operate more effectively and compete successfully in an evolving marketplace," said Michael Osgood, Vice President, Partnerships, Preferred Hotels & Resorts. "Cloudbeds offers flexible technology solutions that support operational efficiency, enhance guest engagement, and create opportunities for business growth, making them a valuable addition to our Alliance Partner Program." Representing more than 625 luxury hotels, resorts, residences, and unique hotel groups in over 80 countries, Preferred Hotels & Resorts brings strategic advantage to hotel owners, operators, and management companies through brand prestige and global operating scale, supporting the goals of its member hotels by providing strategic sales, integrated marketing solutions, comprehensive revenue management, global connectivity through reservations services, progressive distribution technology, and solutions-focused products and services from trusted partners through its Alliance Partner Program. By aligning with Cloudbeds, Preferred Hotels & Resorts further solidifies its mission to provide best-in-class services and resources to its member properties. About Cloudbeds: Cloudbeds is the hospitality management system built for ambitious hoteliers who demand more. The Cloudbeds platform unifies operations, distribution, guest experience, and revenue marketing, giving operators a breadth of tools to capture demand, grow direct bookings, optimize pricing, maximize upsell revenue, and act on real-time intelligence within a single system. Designed to scale with independent hotels, large hotel groups, and multi-property portfolios, Cloudbeds is trusted by tens of thousands of properties in more than 150 countries. Founded in 2012, Cloudbeds is recognized as a top Hotel Management System, PMS, and Channel Manager, and Best Place to Work, by Hotel Tech Report for eight consecutive years.