Shows
Check In by RoomRaccoonBOLD Episode 1 | Boutique without boundaries: Rethinking hospitality from the outsideIn the very first episode of BOLD, we meet José Gonçalves, who left behind a 30-year career in IT to build not one, but two stunning boutique hotels operating 35 rooms in Portugal’s Algarve.What began as a family dream is now a thriving hospitality brand defined by local partnerships, sustainable values, and tech-powered service.Tune in to hear how José: Built unique guest experiences using RoomRaccoonRemoved rigid rules like breakfast hoursSupports local producers to drive community sustainabilityScales with systems that empower his team, not complicate it
2025-08-1229 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 20: A Hotelier at Heart“Hospitality is hard work, but when you love it, it loves you back.”The final entry. Saying goodbye to The Bliss wasn’t easy, but some things never fade. Once a hotelier, always a hotelier. Nadja reflects on how running her hotel shaped her, the lessons that stayed with her, and how they now help her build smarter solutions for hoteliers.About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software.An authentic, behind-the-front-desk look into the world of hospitality through the eyes of Nadja Buckenberger, a first-time hotel owner. After an une...
2025-02-2705 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 19: Upselling—More Than Just a Room“Guests don’t just book a room—they book an experience. The right upsell makes it unforgettable (yes, even a goldfish!).”The secret to successful upselling? Making it feel effortless. Nadja figured out how—and it’s not about having a smooth-talking receptionist. Nope, it’s all about personalization and catching guests at just the right moment before they arrive.About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software.An authentic, behind-the-front-desk look into the world of hospitality through the eyes of Nadja Buckenberger, a first-time hot...
2025-02-2708 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 18: Season-Proofing Your Hotel“It’s not always about the weather—it’s about knowing your guests.”Every hotel feels the seasons differently. It’s one thing to know when demand changes—but figuring out why is what really helps you plan ahead. In this episode, Nadja shares how she handled the summer slump when her corporate guests disappeared.About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software.An authentic, behind-the-front-desk look into the world of hospitality through the eyes of Nadja Buckenberger, a first-time hotel owner. After an unexpected opportunity led her to buy The...
2025-02-2605 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 17: Dynamic Pricing & Revenue Strategies“You operate in a dynamic industry—let your prices reflect it.”Setting the right room prices is one of the trickiest parts of running a hotel. Nadja shares how a well-intended Sunday rate drop ended up costing her big time. She dives into dynamic pricing and other revenue strategies—like focusing on guest loyalty—that can be a total game changer.About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software.An authentic, behind-the-front-desk look into the world of hospitality through the eyes of Nadja Buckenberger, a first-time hotel owner. After an unexpected...
2025-02-2607 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 16: From Engineer & Hotelier to CEO & CPO“Mistakes are part of the journey—fail fast, learn faster, and keep pushing forward.”
Nadja may no longer greet guests at the front desk, but she’s still serving them—this time through RoomRaccoon’s innovative solutions. Tune in to hear how she embraced her role as CPO and how Tymen transitioned from engineer to CEO.
About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software.
An authentic, behind-the-front-desk look into the world of hospitality through the eyes of Nadja Buckenberger, a first-time hotel owner...
2025-01-2813 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 15: MVP to Today—How We Built It Bootstrapped“Staying lean and scaling fast isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.”Building a SaaS business takes serious funding—unless you get creative. In this entry, Nadja and Tymen share how they stayed bootstrapped and launched their Minimal Viable Product (MVP) in just one year. Discover their resourceful journey and how they turned constraints into opportunities! About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software.
An authentic, behind-the-front-desk look into the world of hospitality through the eyes of Nadja Buckenberger, a first-time hotel owner. After an unexpected opportunity led her to buy The Bl...
2025-01-2808 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 14: What’s in a Name?“Furry, clever, and just a little daring—just like us.”
The animal kingdom is full of choices—lions, elephants, all kinds of majestic deer. But Nadja and Tymen? They went for the scrappy, resourceful raccoon.
Curious why? They’re finally spilling the beans, and it’s a story worth hearing!
About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software.
An authentic, behind-the-front-desk look into the world of hospitality through the eyes of Nadja Buckenberger, a first-time hotel owner. After...
2025-01-2803 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 13: If You Can’t Find It, Create It“Dreaming out loud could be game-changing.”
Chapter 4 is here! Nadja sits down with Tymen Van Dyl, RoomRaccoon's CEO and Co-Founder, to explore how being 'outsiders' in the hotel tech industry turned into their greatest strength. Tymen calls it 'a positive kind of being naive,' explaining how they skipped copying existing solutions and focused on creating something better from the ground up. Don't miss this inspiring conversation!
About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software.
An authentic, behind-the-front-desk look into the worl...
2025-01-2803 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 12: Building a Better Bliss: The Search for the Right Tools“I couldn’t find a solution that fit my budget and offered the operational flexibility a boutique hotel needs.”
Nadja recounts her search for the perfect hotel software and how it led to the creation of RoomRaccoon. She shares a practical checklist for choosing the right hotel software, so you don’t make the same mistakes. Tune in for real talk, helpful tips, and a story that could change your approach to operations.
About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software.
An authentic, behind-the-front-desk look into the world of...
2024-12-2005 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 11: Seamlessly Integrating Payments Into the Guest Journey“It will cost you a lot of time and money if you don’t think about payments when you start running your hotel.”
Nadja shares 5 things she wish she knew about hotel payments as a new hotelier. Learn how to avoid costly mistakes and set up smarter payment solutions from the start.
About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software.
An authentic, behind-the-front-desk look into the world of hospitality through the eyes of Nadja Buckenberger, a first-time hotel owner. After an unexpected opportunity led her to buy The Bl...
2024-12-2004 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 10: Finding the Balance: Direct vs. OTA Bookings“Guests expect something extra when they make the effort to check out your website instead of booking through an OTA — don’t disappoint them.”
Your distribution strategy is the backbone of how you sell those rooms effectively, ensuring you reach the right guests through the right channels. In this episode, Nadja shares 5 tips she used to build the ideal booking channel mix—helping The Bliss achieve an impressive 50% direct bookings.
About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software.
An authentic, behind-the-front-desk look into the world of hospitality through th...
2024-12-2005 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 9: Learning to Handle Setbacks as a Team"The mistake that made my hotelier's heart bleed."
Navigating those “oops” and “oh no” moments is part of every hotelier’s journey. In this episode, Nadja shares 5 lessons on handling unexpected challenges—and reveals the one mistake that truly made her "hotelier's heart bleed."
About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software.
An authentic, behind-the-front-desk look into the world of hospitality through the eyes of Nadja Buckenberger, a first-time hotel owner. After an unexpected opportunity led her to buy The Bliss Boutique Hotel in Breda, the Netherlands, Nadja shares...
2024-12-2007 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 8: Guest Reviews Are Currency for More BookingsChapter 2: Entry 8
“From 6.0 to 9.7: How I revived The Bliss’ reputation with repairs and stellar service.”
In Nadja's words: "Positive guest reviews are currency for attracting more bookings." But how do you build a strong online reputation? Nadja shares the strategies that helped grow The Bliss' reputation—through much-needed maintenance repairs and exceptional guest service.
About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software.
An authentic, behind-the-front-desk look into the world of hospitality through the eyes of Nadja Buckenberger, a first-time hotel owner. After an unexpected opportun...
2024-11-2504 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 7: Creating a Blissful Guest ExperienceChapter 2: Entry 7
“At The Bliss, we didn’t just serve guests—we became them.”
This entry explores what it takes to create a guest experience that makes guests feel welcome before they even arrive and remembered long after they’ve left. From honesty bars to online check-ins, Nadja’s fresh perspective as a first-time hotelier highlighted simple yet impactful ways to enhance every step of the Bliss' guest experience journey.
About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software.
An authentic, behind-the-front-desk look into the world of hos...
2024-11-2512 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 6: A Disjointed Start: One Phone Line, Many SystemsChapter 2: Entry 6
“Discovering firsthand the hidden costs of inefficiency—one overbooking and missed business opportunity at a time.”
Running a hotel comes with a million things to juggle, and mixing multiple operational systems—one being pen and paper—is a recipe for chaos. Nadja learned this the hard way when overbookings, late-night admin, and lost business opportunities started creeping in.
About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software
An authentic, behind-the-front-desk look into the world of hospitality through the eyes of Nadja Buckenberger, a first-time...
2024-11-2507 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 5: First Day Jitters, Sticky Notes, and Burnt ToastChapter 2: Entry 5
“Day one: If it could go wrong, it did. Silver lining? I found my favorite part of hospitality.”
Talk about being thrown in the deep end! Nadja’s first day running The Bliss was a wild ride—80% occupancy, a surprise roof leak, and a flurry of guests to handle—all on her own.
But somewhere between breakfast mayhem and a crisis or two, she discovered something she loves about hotel life. Any guesses?
About this series: Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software.
...
2024-11-2505 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 4: Building a Unique Hotel BrandChapter 1: Entry 4
"From themed suites to winning over personal assistants and partnering with casinos—here’s how I reinforced The Bliss as a luxury brand that stands out.”
What does it really take to turn a boutique hotel into a memorable brand that guests talk about long after their stay? In this episode, Nadja dives into her journey of shaping The Bliss’s brand identity, one thoughtful detail at a time.
Learn how to blend visual elements, guest experience, and marketing strategies to build a brand that’s more than just a place to stay.
2024-10-3011 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 3: From Two Employees to a High-Impact TeamChapter 1: Entry 3
“Hire for attitude, train for skill”—the secret to building a core team that excels.”
Running a small boutique hotel means you wear many hats—and so does your team. In this episode, Nadja shares her journey of building a strong core team by focusing on character and potential rather than just qualifications.
From rolling up her sleeves to gain her team’s trust to creating a culture where flexibility and learning are celebrated, she reveals how the right people, even in small numbers, can make a huge impact.
About this s...
2024-10-3009 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 2: Financing and Navigating RegulationsChapter 1: Entry 2
“Buying a hotel? Get ready for a crash course in de-escalation techniques—you'll need it for handling tipsy guests!”
From securing funding to navigating a maze of regulations, Nadja faced hurdles at every step—including a surprising certification requirement that no new owner expects.
In this episode, we break down the true costs and compliance challenges of becoming a hotelier, and why attention to detail is critical to turning a dream into reality.
About this series: Diary of a Hotelier - A Journey from Suites to Software.
An authe...
2024-10-3004 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonEntry 1: An Unexpected Beginning—How The Bliss Found MeChapter 1: Entry 1
“From booking my parents a stay to becoming the new owner—The Bliss found me when I least expected it.”
In the very first episode of Diary of a Hotelier, Nadja shares the serendipitous moment that changed everything—from booking her parents a stay to becoming the owner of a charming boutique hotel in Breda. With no hotel management experience and only a spark of curiosity, she took the leap and bought The Bliss.
Tune in to hear how she navigated the early days, the doubts, and the pivotal moment she realized...
2024-10-3005 min
Check In by RoomRaccoonComing soon - Diary of a HotelierNadja never planned on becoming a hotel owner, but when the opportunity to buy the Bliss Boutique Hotel came out of nowhere, she couldn't resist taking the leap.
Curious to see how it all unfolded? Follow Nadja's journey in "Diary of a Hotelier: From Suites to Software"—a RoomRaccoon series that takes you behind the front desk and into her eight-year adventure. From guest to owner of one of Breda's most charming boutique hotels, discover the insights, challenges, and triumphs that led to the creation of RoomRaccoon.
2024-10-2400 min
HospitableBuilding For Independent and Adventurous Hoteliers with Tymen van Dyl, Co-Founder of RoomRaccoonIn this episode of Hospitable we dive into the independent hoteliers space.Our guest this week is CEO and Co-Founder of RoomRaccoon Tymen van Dyl. Tymen shares his mission to empower independent hoteliers around the world with a complete and innovative management system. He believes that powerful software should not be exclusive to those with deeper pockets, but accessible to anyone in the industry. We talk about the parity of running a company with your partner, both in business and in life, and how his journey into creating software solutions for the boutique hotel space c...
2023-10-2537 min
Smart Travel News/ Noticias de turismoLos viajeros quieren un sector turístico más tecnológico
Amadeus anunció que está trabajando con Microsoft y Accenture en el desarrollo de nuevas integraciones impulsadas por Inteligencia Artificial para viajes corporativos. El nuevo asistente digital agilizará las tareas de los viajeros corporativos dentro de la plataforma de viajes y gastos de Amadeus para Microsoft Teams y Cytric Easy.
TIS-Tourism Innovation Summit 2023, la cumbre internacional de innovación turística y tecnológica que se celebrará en Sevilla del 18 al 20 de octubre, contará con ponentes de renombre como Tim Leberecht, Juan Carlos Pérez Espinosa y Carmen Bustos. Entre otras cosas, estos expertos debatirán sobre la escasez de tal...
2023-09-2708 min
We Love SaaS Podcast169 - Tymen van Dyl (RoomRaccoon) over zijn reis naar 10M ARRHij startte in 2017, heeft inmiddels een team van ruim 100 mensen en is op weg van 5M ARR naar 10M ARR: Tymen van Dyl van RoomRaccoon is te gast.
Hij vertelt over de start van zijn bedrijf, in Nederland, en hoe hij de stap zette naar Zuid-Afrika, waar inmiddels ruim de helft van zijn team woont en werkt. We praten over zijn internationalisatieproces en de uitdagingen die hij in de verschillende groeifasen is tegengekomen.
RoomRaccoon: https://roomraccoon.nl/
Podcast sponsor Leadinfo: leadinfo.com/saasbazen
SaaS Bazen Meetup
Wil je meer op de hoogte blijven van ontwikkelingen in de SaaS wereld en...
2023-04-1146 min
Revenue Management PodcastTOP MUJERES EMPRENDEDORAS en Turismo y Revenue ManagementEsta semana te traemos un episodio lleno de inspiración porque hablamos de liderazgo y emprendimiento en femenino. El pasado 08 de Marzo fue el Día Internacional de la Mujer y nos apetecía dedicar un episodio que reconociera el trabajo y liderazgo de la mujer en el sector turístico.
Me acompañan mis queridas Dácil Rodríguez y Laura Hernández (fundadoras de 7 Revenue Rules) cómo ejemplo de liderazgo y emprendimiento en un proyecto de consultoría en comercialización y revenue management pero, además, tenemos a 2 invitadas muy especiales: Alicia Reina (CEO en Migjorn Ibiza Suites...
2023-03-131h 00