KAYAK, the company that pioneered flight metasearch in 2004, is reimagining the in-travel experience. Opening in April 2021, Kayak Miami Beach brings the power of the Kayak app to the guest stay. Travelers can make advance reservations at the new boutique hotel via http://www.kayakmb.com.
"We see a big opportunity to apply our audience and technology to the accommodations space to level the playing field for independent hotels," said Steve Hafner, CEO of KAYAK. "Our Miami Beach property will serve as our hotel design lab and deepen our knowledge of hospitality and showcase our growing capabilities."
The Kayak Miami Beach, which was a Life House property that was a victim of the pandemic-induced travel collapse, will serve as a test lab for a Kayak-developed software package for independent hotels with the pitch being that it would capture all of the travel demand that Kayak can generate.
Life House’s selling point to independent hotel owners is its low-cost model in operating in the so-called lifestyle or boutique hotel space. Kayak would boost distribution and visibility by highlighting Kayak-branded properties on its booking engine.
From Hafner’s remarks Tuesday, it is clear that Kayak doesn’t intend to manage hotels, but the 17-year-old travel-price comparison business does seek to leverage its brand awareness to gain traction among independent properties, and guests.
The Kayak CEO said Kayak Miami Beach is not debuting because the company thinks it would enhance its profit and loss statement.
“We’re excited to reimagine accommodations with Life House,” Hafner said in a prepared statement. “Kayak Miami Beach provides a playground for guests and our development teams alike.”
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