Our gift card adventure at kasteel Engelenburg
At Kasteel Engelenburg, everything revolves around creating beautiful memories. Whether guests visit for a relaxing hotel stay, a culinary dinner, or simply to gift someone a special experience—it has to be just right. Gift cards are an important part of that, but until recently, they were mostly an administrative challenge.
For years, we used traditional paper gift cards. While that had a charming appeal—which fit perfectly with our classic style—in practice, it was less romantic. Each card had to be manually created, processed on our computers, and then sent by post. A lovely gesture, but also a time-consuming task. We also had to track everything meticulously, which often led to unnecessary frustration. There had to be a better way.
Digitalization as a logical step
The reason for change was clear: digitalization. At Kasteel Engelenburg, we wanted to modernize the way we offer gift cards. Our goal was to provide both physical and digital options—without the manual hassle. Managing gift cards had to become easier, faster, and more aligned with guest expectations. More and more people were booking online or searching for unique experiences to give as gifts—a trend we were eager to tap into.
That’s when we discovered Gifty. Their collaboration with Quality Lodgings (QL), of which we are also a member, was the deciding factor for us. It felt familiar, logical, and fit well within our network.
Administrative simplicity and increased sales
Since we started working with Gifty, everything has changed for the better. Where we previously experienced stress from stacks of paperwork, our gift card administration is now much simpler. Everything runs digitally and automatically via the Gifty Dashboard. As a result, we barely have to track anything ourselves. The dashboard is clear and easily accessible, which makes mistakes nearly impossible.
One of the most noticeable benefits, however, is the convenience for our guests. They can now order gift cards through our website with just a few clicks. No more phone calls or emails to arrange everything—just instant clarity. As a result, our sales have increased without any extra effort on our part.
Why guests love flexible gift cards at Kasteel Engelenburg
The gift cards are mainly used at our hotel, for overnight stays or special packages. Guests really appreciate that they can decide when and how to use their gift cards, all at their own pace. It gives them a sense of freedom, and gives us the confidence that we’re offering them a smooth experience.
Looking ahead
Of course, we’re never done evolving, and we always like to look forward. In the future, we would love to integrate with MEWS, our hotel management system. That would streamline our administration even further and make the process even more effortless.
Great support
We’re very happy with using Gifty. Naturally, we’ve encountered a few minor issues. For example, the layout of our gift cards wasn’t quite how we wanted it at first. A bar with the price or package details was in the wrong spot, and it didn’t reflect the quality we aim to offer. After contacting customer service, it was quickly fixed.
Another time, a guest accidentally gave away her own gift card instead of the one she intended. It seemed like a tricky situation at first, but Gifty’s customer service quickly resolved it. The card was traced, and the guest was relieved. Moments like that remind us how valuable great customer service really is. Our experience with Gifty’s support has been very positive—always friendly, personal, and above all, efficient.
Easy and smooth communication
We rarely need to contact Gifty because everything usually runs smoothly. But when we do reach out—whether by phone or email—it’s always pleasant and efficient. That gives us a strong sense of trust.
A recommendation for fellow entrepreneurs
Would we recommend Gifty to other entrepreneurs? Absolutely! Not because it’s perfect—because perfection doesn’t exist—but because, honestly, it’s simply a pleasant company to work with. And if you, like us, already have your hands full running a business like Kasteel Engelenburg, that’s exactly what you’re looking for: simplicity, clarity, and reliability.
We’re excited to see what the future holds with Gifty, but for now, we’re mostly enjoying the ease and peace of mind this partnership brings us.