Hotel Okura Amsterdam isn’t your average five-star hotel—it’s where Eastern elegance meets Western charm.
With its roots in Japanese service philosophy, Omotenashi, Hotel Okura creates a luxurious yet peaceful atmosphere right in the heart of Amsterdam. And did we mention it’s part of The Leading Hotels of the World? Yeah, it’s that fancy. With 300 rooms, stunning views of the city, and four Michelin-star restaurants, this place doesn’t mess around when it comes to offering top-tier hospitality.
The Challenge:
Disconnected communication in a diverse workforce
With over 320 employees, most of whom are constantly on the move or handling guest-facing roles, keeping everyone in the loop at Hotel Okura was, well, a bit of a struggle. They were using a mix of email, WhatsApp, and other communication channels, but these disjointed channels left huge communication gaps, especially for non-desk staff.
The signs were all there—it was time for a change. Here’s what they needed:
- Move away from fragmented communication channels like email and WhatsApp.
- Create a more inclusive internal community where everyone feels heard, even if they’re not tied to a desk.
- Align frontline staff with home office teams by creating secure, real-time internal dialogue.
- Build a reliable, scalable communication system that could handle the needs of their deskless workers.
The Solution:
Employee app, developed by Speakap, to centralize communications across all hotel departments
Hotel Okura needed an employee communications platform that wouldn’t require hours of training or a thick instruction manual. They wanted something simple, mobile-friendly, and ready to go. That’s exactly why they chose Speakap.
Here’s why it was a perfect fit for Hotel Okura:
- Mobile accessibility: Staff could stay connected whether they were racing around the hotel or engaging directly with guests. No desk needed.
- Ease of use: No tech jargon or complicated manuals—just an intuitive interface that everyone could pick up instantly.
- Real-time updates: Whether it was a last-minute staff meeting or a special guest request, Speakap allowed updates to be shared instantly across all departments.
Their goals?
Make communication easier, boost employee satisfaction, improve productivity, and help the team feel more connected.
The Results:
Achieving a 100% adoption rate, improved operational efficiency and employee morale
Speakap wasn’t just another tool for Hotel Okura—it helped improve communication throughout the hotel, making operations smoother and boosting morale. Impressively, 100% of the staff adopted the employee communications platform.
“With Speakap, we can reach each other effortlessly and share information in a way that’s both engaging and effective.”
Janneke Veldhoen, Human Resource Manager at Hotel Okura Amsterdam
The improvements were clear:
- Instant connectivity: Event schedule changes? Special guest requests? Speakap made sure teams got the message fast and efficiently, reducing any mix-ups.
- More effective communication: "One of the biggest improvements Hotel Okura has seen is the speed at which they can relay important updates to our entire team. For instance, when we receive last-minute changes to event schedules or special guest requests, we can quickly notify the relevant teams through Speakap".
- 100% user adoption: Speakap has been universally adopted across Hotel Okura.
- High engagement: 60% of users log in daily, and 95% are active monthly.
- Frequent usage: On average, users log in five times daily, spending about 47 seconds per visit, indicating high engagement with the platform.
“One of the biggest improvements we’ve seen is the speed at which we can relay important updates to our entire team. For instance, when we receive last-minute changes to event schedules or special guest requests, we can quickly notify the relevant teams through Speakap.”
Janneke Veldhoen, Human Resource Manager at Hotel Okura Amsterdam
Why Hotel Okura loves their employee communications platform
The heartbeat of Hotel Okura: the events section in their employee communications app
One of the standout features for Hotel Okura is the Events section. According to Janneke, it has become the go-to place for organizing and sharing information about training sessions, team meetings, and company events. With everyone in the loop, employees were always better prepared.
More than memos: employee communication platform’s unexpected role in crafting community
Speakap did more than just help Hotel Okura share work updates—it became a space for celebrating milestones and fostering a sense of community among employees.
Janneke Veldhoen mentions that while Hotel Okura initially implemented Speakap to streamline communication, they didn’t anticipate how much it would enhance the sense of community among employees. It’s become a platform not only for work-related updates but also for celebrating personal achievements and milestones. How great is that?
Fine-tuning their employee communications platform with employee insights
Thanks to feedback from their staff, Hotel Okura continues to refine their use of their employee communications platform, making sure the platform delivers concise and relevant information without overwhelming anyone. Janneke told us that employees appreciate the user-friendly interface and the ability to stay informed even while on the go. Based on their input, Hotel Okura have made some adjustments, such as using the platform more for recognition programs and have a structured set up on what they share on which topic, to not over inform.
A digital solution that’s more than just an app
With 100% adoption, real-time updates, and employees logging in five times a day, it’s clear that Speakap didn’t just meet Hotel Okura’s needs—it exceeded them.
And the best part? Employees love it. From the intuitive interface to the sense of community it fosters, Speakap has become an essential part of daily life at Hotel Okura.
So, while the hotel continues to offer a five-star experience to its guests, it’s also giving its employees the kind of internal communication that deserves a standing ovation.