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Boutique Inns Are Beating Big Hotels at Their Own Game with AI-Powered Pricing Platform TakeUp

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Boutique Meets Big Tech: Devonfield Inn’s Secret to Higher Revenue

LEE, Mass., March 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Boutique hotels and bed-and-breakfasts have long faced an uphill battle competing with large hotel chains, which have deep pockets and access to sophisticated revenue management tools. But that’s changing. Independent properties like the Devonfield Inn in Lee, Massachusetts, are now leveraging AI-powered pricing technology once reserved for global hotel brands to boost revenue, optimize pricing, and compete on a whole new level.

Devonfield Inn co-owner Doug Bagnasco had spent years managing pricing manually, relying on intuition and competitor comparisons to set room rates. But after realizing that he was often undervaluing his own property, he turned to TakeUp, an AI-driven revenue management platform designed for independent hospitality businesses. The results were undeniable: in less than a year, the inn saw average room rate increases of 15%—without sacrificing occupancy or guest satisfaction.

AI Levels the Playing Field for Independent Inns

For decades, revenue management tools were only available to large hotel chains that could afford dedicated teams of data scientists and analysts. TakeUp is changing that, providing boutique properties with an affordable, AI-powered pricing platform that reacts to real-time demand, market trends, and booking patterns.

“At first, I thought I had pricing figured out,” said Bagnasco. “I was relying on intuition and assumptions about what guests would pay. But when I started using AI-driven pricing, I saw that my rates had been lower than they should have been. The increase in revenue went straight to the bottom line.”

With TakeUp’s automated pricing recommendations, Bagnasco no longer spends hours manually adjusting rates or second-guessing pricing decisions. Instead, he works closely with a dedicated revenue strategist from TakeUp, who acts as an extension of his team, providing expert guidance and ensuring pricing aligns with the inn’s business goals.

“The ability to have a revenue strategist from TakeUp in my corner has been invaluable,” said Bagnasco. “They don’t just hand over an AI tool and walk away—they’re constantly monitoring performance, adjusting strategy as needed. It’s like having an in-house revenue expert without the overhead of hiring one.”

Breaking the Pricing Fear Factor

One of the biggest mental hurdles for independent innkeepers is the fear of overpricing and losing guests. Bagnasco shared that before using AI, he hesitated to push rates higher, assuming guests would resist paying more.

“The biggest detractor from pricing wasn’t the guest—it was me,” Bagnasco admitted. “I was more worried about their perception of price than they were. Once I let AI take over, I realized guests were still booking, even at higher rates. In fact, when they see strong reviews and high rankings, they often expect to pay more.”

Sustained Growth, Even in a Challenging Market

Like many boutique properties, Devonfield Inn experienced a post-pandemic revenue surge. However, while others saw their numbers flatten or decline in recent years, Devonfield’s revenue continued to climb after implementing AI-driven pricing.

“For three years, our revenue remained flat despite strong demand,” said Bagnasco. “Once TakeUp got involved, we saw an increase we hadn’t seen before. That was the clearest sign that AI-driven pricing was working.”

Balancing Profitability with Guest Trust

One of Bagnasco’s biggest concerns when adopting AI-driven pricing was ensuring guests never felt taken advantage of—even if demand allowed for much higher rates.

“With TakeUp, I can set boundaries on how high rates go,” he explained. “I never want guests to feel like they’re being overcharged just because we could get more. TakeUp allows us to optimize pricing while keeping it within a range that aligns with our values. It’s about fair pricing, not just maximizing revenue.”

The Future of Boutique Lodging is Smart, Not Big

Independent inns and boutique hotels are proving that success in the hospitality industry isn’t just about scale—it’s about strategy. AI-powered tools like TakeUp are allowing smaller properties to optimize revenue and stay competitive without the complexity and cost of traditional revenue management systems.

“For a long time, this kind of technology was out of reach for small properties,” said Bagnasco. “Now, boutique inns have the same capabilities as big brands. It’s a game-changer.”

About Devonfield Inn

Centrally located in the heart of the Berkshires, this historic 1800 bed and breakfast near Lenox, Massachusetts offers a luxurious retreat with unmatched service and countryside views for every season. Relax at the top-rated, romantic Devonfield Inn set on 32-acres in Lee, MA, just minutes to Tanglewood and all the cultural gems of the Berkshires.

About TakeUp

TakeUp is a leading revenue optimization platform designed for boutique hotels, inns, and alternative accommodations. Through AI-driven pricing and personalized revenue strategies, TakeUp empowers small hospitality businesses to maximize their earnings and save valuable time.

Devonfield Inn Media Contact
Doug Bagnasco
Owner
392265@email4pr.com

TakeUp Media Contact
Kelly Campbell
Marketing & Communications
619.895.0029
392265@email4pr.com

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SOURCE TakeUp

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Three Luxe Beach Houses in Florida’s “30A” Region to Sell at Luxury Auction® in April

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SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla., March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On April 10, 2025, three new oceanside homes will be offered for sale at luxury auction, reports Platinum Luxury Auctions, the Miami-based auction house specializing in the auction sale of multimillion-dollar residential properties. Platinum is offering the properties in partnership with listing brokerage Christie’s International Real Estate Emerald Coast (formerly Engel & Völkers 30A Beaches). Beau Blankenship, a top-producing luxury sales agent in the area, is the listing agent of record for the three properties.

On April 10, 2025, three new oceanside homes will be offered for sale at luxury auction.

Previously, each property was asking $6 million or more, but now at least one of the three homes will now be sold to the highest auction bidder without reserve. Following the sale of the first property, the seller has the option to also sell the second and/or third property without reserve. According to Platinum, the seller will make that decision on auction day, based upon the property preferences cited by the bidders as part of their registration for the sales. Those bidder preferences will also determine which property will be sold first, and without reserve. Any properties that are not sold without reserve will be offered subject to the seller’s confirmation, meaning the seller can immediately negotiate the highest bid in real-time with the given bidder(s).

The three-property offering marks Platinum’s return to the 30A market following a successful luxury auction sale in Santa Rosa Beach in June of 2024. That $4.2 million sale was completed on behalf of the same developer who owns the three properties headed for the auction block in April. “The seller is an active developer specializing in luxury homes throughout the 30A region,” according to Platinum’s founder and president, Trayor Lesnock. “While much of his inventory has sold traditionally, he has enough experience and market savvy to understand the value of the expeditious, non-contingent sales provided by the luxury auction process, which serve to optimize the transfer of his remaining properties as the market begins to naturally recalibrate.”

Each of the three beach homes was completed in 2024. One is located in Inlet Beach and two are located side-by-side in nearby Santa Rosa Beach. The homes were built to serve as private residences or for use as high-end rental properties, given the area’s well-established demand for vacation rentals. The Inlet Beach home can sleep up to 24 guests, while each of the Santa Rosa homes sleeps up to 16 guests.

All homes are designed in an elegant yet relaxed “beach chic” style, with clean, spacious interiors filled with natural light. The two Santa Rosa Beach homes were designed by award-winning architect Christopher Reebals, a 20-year veteran in residential and commercial design. The three homes each offer three living levels, with the Inlet Beach home also featuring a rooftop deck with 360-degree views, in addition to private and deeded beach access, a valuable commodity in the 30A market.

Basic details of the three properties are as follows… Each property is sited on a manicured parcel slightly larger than 0.30 acres. The larger Inlet Beach home, located at 100 Brenda Lane, has 5,743 sf of living area, with 7 bedrooms, 7 full and one-half bath. The two Santa Rosa Beach homes, at 58 Woodward Drive and 62 Woodward Drive, offer frontage on a small lake. At 58 Woodward, interiors span 5,502 sf, with 5 bedrooms and 7 full bathrooms. Next door at 62 Woodward, living areas also occupy 5,502 sf, with 5 bedrooms, 7 full and one-half baths. All homes have private pools surrounded by paved, outdoor living areas.

The coastal area known as “30A” consists of the beachfront and oceanside lands located south of County Road 30A, which stretches 24 miles between Destin and Panama City, along the coastline of Florida’s panhandle. It’s home to some of Florida’s most charming seaside towns, with their pristine beaches and clear ocean waters. It was the 30A town of Seaside which served as the idyllic, fictional hometown of Seahaven Island in actor Jim Carey’s hit film The Truman Show.

Property tours are available by daily appointment until April 9, and must be scheduled through Platinum’s project manager, Renee Alossi, by calling 800.674.2997. Additional details, photos, video and due diligence documents are also available online at 30ALuxuryAuction.com.

About Platinum Luxury Auctions: Platinum Luxury Auctions created the luxury auction® model for multimillion-dollar real estate auctions and owns the federal trademark for the term “luxury auction(s).” The Miami-based auction house specializes in the non-distressed sale of luxury properties in the U.S. and select international markets, and has offered properties in 33 states and 15 countries to date. Platinum’s team has closed more than $1.7 billion in luxury auction sales, and has consulted or advised HNW and UHNW individuals on more than $4.5 billion in luxury property assets. PlatinumLuxuryAuctions.com.

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SOURCE Platinum Luxury Auctions LLC

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Miami’s Ultra Music Festival That Attracts Tens-of-Thousands of People Will Once Again Use SaferWatch Technology & Mobile App to Keep Public Safe

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As Events Across Nation Face New Kinds of Threats, Miami & Ultra Music Festival Has Adapted & the Public is Safer

MIAMI, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ultra Music Festival 2025, taking place March 28–30 at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami, has once again selected SaferWatch as its safety reporting tool for the fifth consecutive year. This ongoing partnership is part of Ultra’s commitment to keep its high-energy celebration safe for all attendees. Festival-goers will have multiple, convenient channels to promptly report any safety concerns or incidents in real-time, helping law enforcement and fire rescue and event security respond swiftly without dampening the festival’s electric atmosphere.

Attendees are encouraged to “See Something, Send Something” by reporting issues through any of the following methods:

Call: 305-800-8477

Text: 305-800-8477

SaferWatch App: Submit photos and videos via the SaferWatch mobile app (Accessible on smartphones via the Apple App Store and Google Play.)

All reports can be made anonymously, ensuring that anyone can alert authorities to suspicious activity or emergencies without hesitation. Once a report is submitted, the SaferWatch app immediately notifies on-site security and law enforcement of the user’s location and details of the incident. The platform also supports two-way communication, so officials can provide instructions or ask follow-up questions as needed. By empowering attendees to share tips, including photos or videos directly from their phones, Ultra and SaferWatch aim to address potential issues proactively – often before they escalate.

This year marks five years of collaboration between Ultra and SaferWatch. The results of this sustained effort speak for themselves: Ultra’s 2022 festival saw a record low number of security incidents after new measures like the SaferWatch system were implemented. With over 170,000 people attending Ultra 2022 and similarly large crowds expected in 2025, the continued use of SaferWatch underscores Ultra’s dedication to attendee safety at large-scale events. Organizers have continually expanded safety initiatives—from increased on-site police and security presence to technology partnerships like SaferWatch—to create a secure environment where fans can focus on enjoying the music.

“Ultra Music Festival is an incredible event that brings together hundreds of thousands of fans. Ultra is committed to keeping their attendees safe and we are proud to play a role in the proactive and real-time safety measures for a large event like this,” said Geno Roefaro, CEO of SaferWatch. “By giving every attendee an easy, anonymous way to alert law enforcement and fire rescue to any concern, SaferWatch empowers festival-goers to play an active role in keeping the festival as safe as possible. We are proud to continue our partners in hip with Ultra for the fifth year running, helping to ensure everyone can enjoy the music while knowing that safety is a top priority.”

About SaferWatch

SaferWatch is a leading mobile security platform that enables the public to report suspicious activity, threats, or emergencies in real-time directly to law enforcement and security agencies. The SaferWatch app provides users with a simple and anonymous way to “See Something, Send Something,” fostering proactive safety at the touch of a button. The platform supports text, photo, and video submissions and offers two-way communication so authorities can swiftly gather information and send guidance. SaferWatch has a proven track record at major public gatherings – it has been deployed at music festivals, sporting events, and public venues worldwide, including previous Ultra Music Festivals, professional sporting events, and even the Miami Super Bowl LIV. By empowering communities and event attendees to easily report concerns, SaferWatch helps prevent incidents and provides peace of mind in any crowd.

To learn more about SaferWatch, visit SaferWatchApp.com.

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SOURCE SaferWatch

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IT’S BOBA TIME DROPS EXCLUSIVE PUBG MOBILE DRINKS AND FREE LOOT THIS APRIL!

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LOS ANGELES, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ready to sip your way to victory? This April, It’s Boba Time and PUBG MOBILE are joining forces to bring gamers and boba lovers an exclusive loot-filled experience! From April 1st to April 30th, fuel up with two game-changing, PUBG MOBILE inspired drinks and unlock free in-game rewards—but only while supplies last.

Drink Specials:

Battleground Bliss Milk Tea – A powerhouse blend of matcha, oat milk, and butterfly pea tea, finished with a creamy milk foam top. Bold, smooth, and ready to refresh you for your next match!

Sweet Victory Smoothie – A rich and creamy egg pudding smoothie with a drizzle of honey for the perfect sweet finish—because every win should taste this good!

Plus, every order scores you a FREE PUBG MOBILE sticker sheet + an exclusive in-game rewards code. But move fast—only 50 loot drops per store daily, one in-game code per account.

Drop in, grab your gear, and claim your victory before the event ends! Visit any It’s Boba Time location and sip and loot, while supplies last.

For more information about this promotion, please visit the Instagram page @itsbobatime.

About It’s Boba Time

Founded in 2003 with a passion for blending the best of American flavors with the rich tradition of Asian milk tea. From smoothies and slushes to milk teas and açaí bowls, every drink is made-to-order using only the freshest ingredients and endless customization options while offering free tapioca boba pearls in each drink. It’s Boba Time has become a go-to destination for both boba lovers and those looking for bold, creative flavor combinations. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and a welcoming atmosphere, It’s Boba Time continues to redefine the beverage experience across Los Angeles, Orange County, and beyond. Discover more at itsbobatime.com or follow us on Instagram @itsbobatime.

About PUBG MOBILE

PUBG MOBILE is based on PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, the phenomenon that took the world of interactive entertainment by storm in 2017. Up to 100 players parachute onto a remote island to battle in a winner-takes-all showdown. Players must locate and scavenge their own weapons, vehicles, and supplies, and defeat every player in a visually and tactically rich battleground that forces players into a shrinking play zone. PUBG MOBILE is co-developed by LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS of Tencent Games and KRAFTON, Inc.

For more information, please visit the official PUBG MOBILE social channels on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

goldenhourcodigital.com

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SOURCE It’s Boba Time

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