A family-run hotel and spa in Småland
Nestled in the forests near Isaberg in Småland, Hestraviken Hotel & Riverside Spa has been welcoming guests since 1966. The Hellström family has built a destination where nature, relaxation, and gastronomy come together in a setting that feels both intimate and inspiring. From the riverside spa to the acclaimed restaurant, every detail reflects decades of hospitality experience passed down through generations.
Managing guest communication across such diverse offerings—hotel rooms, spa treatments, restaurant reservations, and conference facilities—presents a unique challenge. Guests often have complex inquiries spanning multiple services, and expectations for response times have never been higher. The family needed a solution that could maintain their warm, personal touch while handling the volume and variety of modern guest communication.
One Opally assistant across email, web, and social
Hestraviken implemented Opally's full suite: the Email Assistant handles daily correspondence, the website chatbot provides instant answers to visitors exploring packages and availability, and Meta integrations bring the same intelligent responses to Messenger and Instagram. Whether a guest sends an email about a spa weekend, asks about restaurant opening hours via chat, or inquires about meeting room capacity through Instagram, they receive consistent, accurate, and warmly-worded responses.
This omnichannel approach means the Hellström family's hospitality extends to every digital touchpoint. Guests choosing their preferred communication channel never experience a drop in service quality. The AI assistant has learned the family's tone—helpful without being formal, knowledgeable without being cold—and applies it consistently across all platforms.
Techotel integration for accurate rates and availability
At the heart of Hestraviken's Opally implementation is the integration with Techotel, their property management system. When a guest asks about availability for a spa weekend in October or room rates for a conference group, Opally doesn't approximate—it checks live data and responds with exact availability, current pricing, and relevant package options.
This real-time accuracy has transformed how Hestraviken handles booking inquiries. Guests receive complete information in the first response, including available room types, package inclusions, and pricing. The days of back-and-forth emails to confirm availability are gone, replaced by efficient conversations that move naturally toward booking. For a family-run property competing with larger hotel chains, this level of responsiveness makes a meaningful difference.
Elevating the Riverside Spa experience
The Riverside Spa is one of Hestraviken's most beloved offerings, and spa-related inquiries make up a significant portion of guest communication. Questions about treatment availability, spa access for day visitors, package combinations, and special wellness retreats now receive immediate, detailed responses that capture the tranquil atmosphere guests can expect.
Opally has been trained on every aspect of the spa experience—from the wood-fired sauna by the river to the signature treatments and seasonal offerings. When potential guests inquire, they don't just get availability and prices; they get a sense of what makes Riverside Spa special. This thoughtful communication helps guests choose the right experience and arrive with clear expectations, enhancing satisfaction from the very first interaction.
Less admin, more time for hosting
For a family-run property where the owners are often personally involved in guest experiences, time is precious. Before Opally, answering emails and messages consumed hours that could have been spent welcoming guests, refining menus, or improving the property. Now, routine inquiries are handled automatically while the team reviews and approves responses, maintaining quality control without the manual effort.
The impact goes beyond efficiency. Staff report feeling less overwhelmed during peak booking seasons, and guests comment on how quickly they receive helpful responses. The Hellström family can focus on what they do best—creating memorable experiences rooted in Swedish nature and hospitality—while Opally ensures no inquiry goes unanswered, no matter when or where it arrives.
Results
- Live rates and availability from Techotel integrated into every response
- 24/7 omnichannel support across email, website chat, Messenger, and Instagram
- Faster, more complete answers for hotel, spa, restaurant, and meeting inquiries
- Consistent warm tone that reflects three generations of family hospitality
- Reduced booking friction with accurate information in the first response
- More time for the family to focus on creating memorable guest experiences
