H&Hotels Group
I have more free time than I had before, because I can rely on Smartpricing—it does your job and lets you focus on what really matters.
Prague, Czech Republic
118
Background
H & Hotels Group is a Czech hospitality company founded in 1992, operating 3- and 4-star properties in Prague. In one of Europe’s most competitive city markets, pricing is not an administrative task, it is a strategic weapon.
Revenue Director Michal Barkoci has been responsible for pricing and revenue strategy since 2014. Over the years, he has managed multiple properties and led the group’s evolution from manual pricing to advanced revenue management systems.
Importantly, this was not their first automation attempt.
The group had already tested and used several RMS providers:
“I was on trials with five different PMS and five different RMS systems. I don’t just try things — I test them.”
The challenge
Before Smartpricing, rate management was either manual or dependent on overly complex systems. The operational burden was significant:
“It took me a few hours a day just to adjust one or two months in front of me. But if I had to check half a year, it took four hours per hotel. For a group, you spend ages on that.”
Even with other RMS tools as support, complexity became a problem.
“Some RMS are so complex you almost need two diplomas to use them. When you try to find a feature, it takes ages if you don’t know exactly where to look.”
What the group needed was clear:
- Automation without loss of control
- A system scalable across properties
- Professional revenue logic without operational overload
The solution
Michal didn't choose Smartpricing by accident. He ran a professional-grade comparison, testing the biggest names in the industry.
The decision to adopt Smartpricing across the Prague portfolio came down to three key factors.
Why Smartpricing won
Better autopilot performance
Having already used Atomize in other markets, Michal was able to compare the systems directly.
“I think Smartpricing is better in the recommendations and in the autopilot than Atomize. From a user standpoint, the suggestions are much more on the spot.”
He noticed the difference especially close to the check-in date — the most sensitive window for pricing decisions.
“Closer to the check-in date, Smartpricing does a very good job. The price is right on the spot.”
This accuracy significantly reduced the need for last-minute manual adjustments.
Complexity vs. execution
Many RMS tools offer powerful functionality, but navigating them can be time-consuming. Unlike other platforms that felt like “data dumps,” Smartpricing offered a clear, human interface that didn’t sacrifice power for simplicity. It delivered the same strategic flexibility with a cleaner and more intuitive way to manage daily pricing.
Strategic stability
During the first months, Michal experimented extensively with different configurations: market-based strategies, occupancy triggers, and event-driven price adjustments.
Once he identified the optimal setup, the system reached a stable equilibrium.
“I haven’t touched the settings for a while now because it simply works. Both hotels are performing exactly how I want them to.”
The goal was a system that allowed him to move from constant operational intervention to strategic oversight. So for Michal, the transition wasn't just about software; it was about finding a tool that could actually be trusted to run on autopilot.
The results
Since implementing Smartpricing, both hotels have improved their performance, with overall revenue increasing year over year.
But for Michal, the most valuable result was not just financial, but operational.
Reclaimed time
Tasks that once required hours of manual work are now handled automatically. Previously, reviewing pricing for several months ahead could take up to four hours per hotel.
Today, that time is available for higher-level strategic work.
“My favorite thing is that I have more free time. You have other things to do, not just sit in front of one screen showing the RMS and another showing occupancy, clicking one by one.”
Market confidence
In a market like Prague, competitor behavior can easily create noise. Instead of reacting to every movement in the market, Michal now uses Smartpricing to maintain a clear overview and focus only on relevant competitors. This allows him to stay grounded in his strategy rather than constantly chasing market fluctuations.
Growth
Following the positive results at Elysee Hotel and Hotel Carlton, H & Hotels Group is now preparing to connect two additional properties to Smartpricing.
For a Revenue Director managing several hotels, the real value of a pricing system is trust.
“In this job, you need a tool you can rely on. Smartpricing is that tool. It saves me the time I used to spend clicking through screens and lets me focus on more important things.”
Garda Relais
Smartconnect allowed us to start a journey we had in mind but couldn’t put into practice. Now we know it’s possible to turn unused contacts into real guests.
Residence Cristine
For me, Smartpricing is pure profitability. It’s like having fuel that makes your car go 30% faster while using half as much.