Anyone who’s traveled knows the frustration of arriving at a hotel after a long day of planes, trains and automobiles, only to face another delay, but this time at the front desk. The pressure often builds at checkout, too, as guests rush to make departing flights and trains all at once.
There’s a better way for hospitality businesses to manage these bottlenecks: mobile point of sale (mPOS).
Paired with mobile devices and tablets, mPOS technology reduces lines, speeds transactions and elevates the overall guest experience. It also streamlines operations behind the scenes, easing administrative burdens and improving visibility for management. Here’s how.
Property-wide applications
When mPOS software is installed and enabled on mobile devices such as Galaxy Z Flip7, Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy S25 Series, and tablets like Galaxy Tab S11, hotel staffers are able to meet guests wherever they are on the property.
Front desk operations
Whether in the hands of staff or passed to guests directly, mPOS options allow hotels to speed check-in and checkout by offering more payment points beyond the one or two spots at the front desk. This might include comfortable sofas in an adjacent lounge or a seat at the bar.
The same mobility can be applied to payment of incidentals — minibar, room service, parking, spa treatments and more — either à la carte as guests engage them or all at once later. Hotels that supply rooms with mPOS-enabled tablets allow these exchanges to happen away from the front desk, too. In fact, the increased ease of payment may inspire guests to purchase more services.
Dining and bar services
Waiting for the check can quickly sour an otherwise great meal. Guests flag down a server, wait for the bill, wait again for payment to be processed and returned for signature and tip. During peak hours, that lag can stretch to 20 or 30 minutes, slowing table turns and testing guest patience.
For operators, those delays directly impact revenue. Slower turnover means fewer covers per shift and missed opportunities during high-demand periods.
With mPOS technology, transactions can be completed tableside in seconds. Staff can process payment immediately, close out the check and free the table for the next guest without unnecessary back-and-forth. The same efficiency extends to room service, poolside dining and pop-up venues, helping hospitality teams move faster while maintaining a high-touch experience.
Retail and amenities
Gift shops and grab-and-go markets are natural fits for mPOS-enabled tablets and mobile devices. In some cases, properties deploy self-service checkout options that allow guests to complete purchases independently, reducing lines and improving convenience.
The same flexibility applies to booking and purchasing on-property amenities, from spa treatments and golf sessions to electric-vehicle charging. Staff can complete transactions anywhere on the property, while guests gain faster access to services without waiting at a centralized counter.
Supporting the back end
Staffing shortages continue to challenge the hospitality industry, with 65% of hotels reporting issues, according to the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Housekeeping sees the biggest shortfall, but so does the primary point of guest contact: the front desk.
mPOS-enabled devices help close the staffing gap by allowing hotel operators to do more with available resources. For example, mPOS empowers fewer staff members to handle more transactions without fixed stations, lowering wait times and loosening bottlenecks.
In restaurants and bars, initiating an order from the table and relaying it directly from a device to the kitchen saves servers from walking back and forth to a fixed terminal. This gives them more time with diners to upsell products and boost satisfaction scores through longer interactions and more accurate orders.
Incorporating mPOS technology on mobile devices and tables may also empower staff to multitask better, especially if it’s incorporated into the larger property management system (PMS). For example, hotels might merge mPOS functions with other guest requests, such as late checkout and valet service.
Meeting modern expectations
Digital natives of the latest generations don’t understand the point of lines when they know there’s an easier way. Research commissioned by Mews, a PMS provider, found 82% of Gen Z travelers want to skip the front desk in hotels entirely, using an app or kiosk, instead.
The data doesn’t just represent a desire to avoid a common hassle; it shows a major shift in how guests wish to engage, or not engage, with hotels. That means installing mPOS technology on mobile devices and tablets for hotel staff achieves more than efficiency and flexibility, it aligns the brand with modern expectations.
That can be enhanced further with mPOS interfaces that collect guest data and feedback, as the information may then be used to personalize guest experiences, which is another driving trend in hospitality today, according to Gensler.
These mPOS systems are also able to harvest and present user and transactional data that reveals invaluable insights into guest behavior and preferences, as well as track the performance of services and the opt-in rates for different on- premise offerings. In other words, it’s a win-win.
Secure transactions in hand
Samsung mobile devices and tablets are particularly well-suited for mPOS when paired with transaction apps. The Samsung for Point of Sale solution turns devices and tablets into NFC-equipped payment terminals for contactless, chip or swipe transactions. And they can do so right out of the box, without any extra hardware. What’s more, the solution is compatible with many of the top POS providers.
Equally important is that all Samsung devices come pre-installed with Knox, Samsung’s military-grade security hardware and software that ensures guest data is protected, and, by doing so, also helps protect the hotel from any potential breaches or leaks. In other words, hotel operators may rest easy with mPOS-enabled mobile devices and tablets by Samsung.
Standing out from the competition
Hospitality operators who address the increasingly tech-savvy needs of business and leisure travelers can stand out from their competitors. What’s more, they are likely to inspire return visits, which translates into long-term profits.
mPOS technology paired with Samsung mobile devices and tablets helps deliver the hospitality experience guests seek, both in the way it streamlines operations and meets expectations, but also how it maximizes hotel-guest interactions to create a more memorable and personalized experience.
Learn more about how to move beyond the limitations of the traditional checkout experience. See the full range of Samsung mobile devices and tablets to find the best for your hospitality business.
