Halcyon Mawella: Simplicity, Efficiency & More Direct Bookings by the Beach

Introduction

Tucked away on the south coast of Sri Lanka, Halcyon Mawella offers barefoot luxury on a pristine, untouched beach. With just 10 boutique rooms and a private villa, the property promises peace, charm, and personal service, but lacked the digital tools to reflect that same level of excellence online.

By early 2024, owner Zander Combe decided it was time for change. With low direct bookings and an outdated booking engine, he partnered with Profitroom to take control of the guest journey and reduce OTA commissions. Within a year, Halcyon Mawella reached an impressive 50% direct booking share, streamlined operations, and enhanced the guest experience — all while maintaining its boutique identity.

A Shift Toward Direct

“We got Profitroom for our direct bookings to increase so we would stop paying so much commission,” says Zander. “During the end of the season 2025 we were up to 50% direct bookings and look forward to that increasing further.”

With Booking Engine 360, CRM & Marketing Automation, and Channel Manager already in place, the hotel is now adding a Profitroom Website to further accelerate growth and simplify the guest journey.

Tangible Results

Since partnering with Profitroom, Halcyon Mawella has achieved:

⬢ 50% of bookings via direct channels
⬢ 95% of reservations processed through a payment gateway
⬢ Higher-value stays, with an ADR of $271 and an average booking value of $864
⬢ Streamlined operations, with fewer reception emails and manual tasks
⬢ 9 active packages promoted through automated marketing tools

A Smoother Guest Experience

With fewer booking mistakes and better front office organization, the team at Halcyon Mawella is more confident and efficient. Automation has reduced the burden on staff while keeping the guest experience front and center.

“The upselling tools, offers, emails, marketing tools, and website help us connect with guests more effectively and make the booking process seamless.”

Looking Ahead

As Halcyon Mawella continues to grow, the partnership with Profitroom is only just beginning. With a strong foundation and high-performing tools in place, the hotel is well positioned to continue increasing direct bookings and reducing OTA reliance.

“As long as Profitroom keeps performing, we’ll keep working with them.”

Profitroom Solutions Used:

⬢ Booking Engine 360
⬢ Channel Manager
⬢ CRM & Marketing Automation
⬢ Website (in progress)
⬢ Personalised offers & upselling tools

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