As over 100 new hotels prepare to open across the UK and Ireland in 2025, a growing number of hoteliers are rethinking their approach – placing technology at the centre of planning from day one.

One standout example is The Hawthorn by Galway Bay, set to open in Spring 2026 as Ireland’s newest five-star luxury hotel. The hotel is partnering with Net Affinity to create a future-proof, guest-first digital ecosystem – ensuring every touchpoint feels effortless and personalised.

This strategy marks a shift in mindset across the sector: technology is no longer an afterthought but a foundational element of modern hotel design and operations.

“We’re not just investing in systems – we’re investing in the future guest experience,” said Aisling Kennedy, Group Marketing Manager at Connacht Hospitality Group.

A tech stack built around tomorrow’s guest

From first interaction to final check-out, The Hawthorn is using technology to anticipate guest needs and enhance both service and efficiency.

At the core is a mobile-first booking engine from Net Affinity – optimised for conversion, personalised journeys and seamless mobile payments. The wider digital ecosystem includes a fully integrated CRM and PMS to automate communications, streamline operations and support meaningful guest relationships at scale.

“Whether it’s contactless check-ins or in-room smart features, our goal is to offer experiences that are intuitive, personal and designed for the modern traveller,” Aisling added.

Seamless integration with Smarthotel for real-time revenue control

To support smarter revenue and distribution strategies, The Hawthorn has also partnered with Smarthotel, whose Channel Manager empowers hotel teams to manage rates, inventory and availability in real time – all from one central platform.

“Hotels today need fast, flexible systems,” said Quinten Gazendam, Chief Growth Officer at Smarthotel. “We’re reducing complexity while helping teams move at speed and scale.”

A model for future-ready hospitality

Commenting on the partnership, Sharon Power Cowley, Sales Director at Net Affinity, said:

“The Hawthorn’s strategy reflects what’s possible when technology is embedded from the outset. With full integration across guest touchpoints, they’re enabling smarter pricing, data-driven personalisation and more agile commercial decisions.”

With a scalable digital infrastructure and AI-ready foundations, The Hawthorn by Galway Bay is building more than a hotel – it’s crafting a guest experience designed for the future.

For more on how Net Affinity supports leading hotels with future-ready tech, contact sales@netaffinity.com