Site Settings
Configure your property's settings including business information, timezone, messaging preferences, and notification defaults.
Overview
Setting Area | Description |
General | Property info, timezone |
Staff | Permissions, auto-archive, custom fields |
Cleaning | Room credits, zones, cleaner actions |
Guest | Automation, messaging, surveys, reviews |
Checkin | Contactless check-in configuration |
Accessing Settings
Go to Admin > Settings
Navigate using tabs:
General
Staff
Cleaning
Guest
Checkin

Note: Integrations (PMS, Twilio, Stripe, etc.) are configured at Admin > Integrations, not under Settings.
General Settings
Property Information
Field | Description |
Display Name | Public name shown to guests |
Country | Country location |
Website | Property website URL |
Timezone
Important: Set this correctly for automations and scheduling.
Go to Admin > Settings > General
Find Timezone dropdown
Select your property's timezone
Click Save
Affects:
Automation send times
Check-in/check-out times
Report timestamps
Scheduled job execution
Staff Settings
Configure staff permissions and workflow automation. Access at Admin > Settings > Staff.
General Sub-Tab
Role-Based Permissions
Setting | Description |
Enable role-based permissions | When enabled, permissions are enforced based on user roles |
When disabled (default), all staff have full access. When enabled, Staff/Manager/Admin roles determine what each user can see and do.
See User Roles & Permissions for details.
Auto-Archive Notes and Tasks
Reduce clutter by automatically archiving completed tasks and notes:
Option | Description |
Do not auto-archive | Keep all notes/tasks visible |
After 1-90 days | Archive completed items after specified days |
Note: Incomplete tasks are never auto-archived.
Checklist Generation Pause
Stop generating new checklists if recent instances had no tasks completed:
Option | Description |
After 3-10 incomplete | Pause after this many consecutive unused checklists |
This prevents clutter from unused recurring checklists.
Custom Fields Sub-Tab
Define custom field values used throughout HelloShift:
Field Type | Used For |
Cash Count Shifts | Track AM, PM, Night Audit shifts |
Lead Types | Categorize sales leads (Group, Extended Stay, LNR) |
Lead Sources | Track where leads come from (Referral, Web, Event) |
Lead Statuses | Lead progression (Potential, Qualified, Customer, Lost) |
Opportunity Statuses | Deal stages (Initial, Proposal, Negotiation, Closed) |
Item Types | Inventory categories (Linen, Guest Supply, Equipment) |
To add a custom field value:
Go to Admin > Settings > Staff > Custom Fields
Find the relevant section
Type the new value and click Add
Use pencil icon to edit, trash icon to delete
Guest Settings
Configure guest communication, surveys, and reviews. Access at Admin > Settings > Guest.
Automation Sub-Tab
Hotel Front Desk Hours
Setting | Description |
Begin (24-Hour) | When front desk opens (e.g., 7) |
End (24-Hour) | When front desk closes (e.g., 23) |
Away Message | Send automatic reply outside office hours |
Tip: If you have a 24-hour front desk, leave Away Message unchecked and use the AI Assistant Configuration instead.
Hotel Checkin/Checkout Hours
Setting | Description |
Check-Out (24-Hour) | Default checkout time (e.g., 11) |
Check-In (24-Hour) | Default checkin time (e.g., 15) |
Used to automatically issue and revoke digital keys.
Automation Message Hours
Setting | Description |
Begin (24-Hour) | Earliest send time (e.g., 8) |
End (24-Hour) | Latest send time (e.g., 21) |
Leave blank for unrestricted. Restricts when Jobs and Triggers send messages to avoid disturbing guests.
Messaging Sub-Tab
Guest Notification
Setting | Description |
Notify only Front Desk | Only Front Desk receives new guest message alerts |
Unchecked | All staff with messaging access are notified |
Desktop Sound
Setting | Description |
Sound on desktop notifications | Play sound when new guest message received |
Reply Signature
Option | Result |
Blank | Auto-signature: "– [FirstName]" |
Custom text | Your text appended (e.g., "– John, Front Desk") |
Single dash (-) | No signature |
Order of Channels
Choose channel priority for automated and triggered messages:
Priority | Description |
SMS → Email | Try SMS first, fall back to email |
SMS → WhatsApp → Email | Try SMS, then WhatsApp, then email |
WhatsApp → SMS → Email | Try WhatsApp first |
Email Only | Only use email |
Note: WhatsApp appears as option only when integration is active.
Surveys Sub-Tab
Guest Score
Configure in-stay satisfaction survey scoring:
Setting | Description |
Low Score | Minimum score value (e.g., 1) |
High Score | Maximum score value (e.g., 5) |
Cutoff Score | Scores at or below this trigger staff alerts |
How it works:
Scores ≤ cutoff → Alert to staff for recovery
Scores > cutoff → Can trigger review collection
Reviews Sub-Tab
Review Dashboard Links
Add your property's review URLs. Guests see these options in post-stay messages:
Platform | Description |
TripAdvisor | Your TripAdvisor review URL |
Your Google Business review URL | |
Your Facebook page review URL | |
Booking | Your Booking.com review URL |
Expedia | Your Expedia review URL |
HelloShift generates a Review Dashboard link that shows all configured review options.
Custom Fields Sub-Tab
Guest Types
Define guest categories for personalized service:
Examples | Use Case |
VIP | High-priority guests |
Loyalty Member | Repeat guests |
Corporate | Business travelers |
To add guest types:
Type the guest type name
Click Add
Checkin Settings
Configure contactless check-in. Access at Admin > Settings > Checkin.
See Contactless Check-in Setup for complete setup guide.
Brand Sub-Tab
Customize the guest-facing check-in experience:
Theme Colors
Setting | Description |
Primary Color | Main accent color |
Secondary Color | Secondary accent color |
Background Color | Page background color |
Brand Images
Setting | Description |
Hotel Logo | Your property logo (recommended 250px wide) |
Guidebook Splash Image | Background image for guidebook (recommended 1024px wide) |
Guidebook Sub-Tab
Control what guests see on the guidebook:
Setting | Description |
Display Chat Widget | Show chat widget for guest-staff communication |
Display Checkin Button | Show check-in button on guidebook homepage |
Display Shop Link | Show shop link in navigation (requires Stripe) |
Display Tip Button | Show tip button on guidebook and reviews (requires Stripe) |
Checkin Steps Sub-Tab
Enable or disable each step in the check-in flow:
Step | Description | Options |
Who Is Coming | Guest count and names | Enable, Skippable |
Identity | ID verification | Enable, Skippable |
Choose Document Type | Select ID type | Enable, Skippable |
Document Upload | Upload ID photo | Enable, Skippable |
Registration Card / Agreement | Digital signature | Enable, Select Agreement, Skippable |
Special Request | Parking, pets, upgrades | Enable, Skippable, Custom questions |
Payment | Collect payment/deposit | Enable, Skippable, Terms text |
Each step can be:
Enabled/Disabled - Include or exclude from check-in flow
Skippable - Allow guests to skip without completing
Kiosk Sub-Tab
Set up self-service kiosk devices:
Setting | Description |
Kiosk URL | Secure URL for kiosk devices (copy to tablet browser) |
Generate Token | Create new kiosk authorization |
Regenerate Token | Create new URL (invalidates old devices) |
Revoke Token | Disable all kiosk access |
Allow Partial Confirmation | Let guests search by last 4+ digits of confirmation |
Custom Fields Sub-Tab
Checkin Document Types
Define which document types guests can select:
Examples | Description |
Passport | International travel document |
Driver License | State-issued ID |
Document ID | National ID card |
To add document types:
Type the document type name
Click Add
Cleaning Settings
Configure housekeeping and room cleaning options. Access at Admin > Settings > Cleaning.
General Sub-Tab
Room Status Sync
When connected to a PMS that supports room status push:
Setting | Description |
Room Status Push | Enabled/Disabled - sync room status changes to PMS |
When enabled, room status changes in HelloShift automatically sync to your PMS.
Credits Sub-Tab
Room Credits by Cleaners
Set daily credit capacity for each housekeeper:
Column | Description |
Cleaner | Housekeeper name |
Sunday-Saturday | Credit limit for each day (e.g., 5, 6, 0 for day off) |
Used for workload balancing during auto-assignment.
Room Credits by Cleaning Task
Set credit values per cleaning task and room type:
Row | Columns |
Cleaning Task | Each task type (Clean, Deep Clean, etc.) |
Room Types | Credit value for that task on each room type |
Example: "Deep Clean" on "Suite" = 2.0 credits, "Clean" on "Standard" = 1.0 credit.
Zones Sub-Tab
Zone Distances
Configure distances between zones for route optimization:
Matrix shows all zone pairs
Enter relative distance values (1-10)
Used by auto-assignment to minimize travel
Max Zones Per Cleaner
Setting | Description |
Max Zones | Maximum number of zones a cleaner can be assigned |
Leave blank for unlimited. Set a value to limit zone spread during assignments.
Custom Fields Sub-Tab
Cleaner Actions
Define cleaning task types available for assignment:
Default Actions | Description |
Clean | Standard room cleaning |
Light Clean | Touch-up or refresh |
Deep Clean | Thorough deep cleaning |
To add custom actions:
Type the action name
Click Add
To attach a checklist, create a checklist with the same name as the action
Saving Settings
Auto-Save vs Manual Save
Some settings auto-save; others require clicking Save or Update:
Type | Behavior |
Toggles | Usually auto-save |
Text fields | Require Save button |
Dropdowns | Require Save button |
Connections | Save after OAuth |
Validating Changes
After saving:
Refresh the page to confirm
Test affected features
Monitor for issues
Best Practices
Initial Setup
Set timezone first: Critical for scheduling
Configure business hours: Sets expectations
Connect integrations: PMS, then messaging
Enable check-in steps: Based on your needs
Ongoing Maintenance
Review quarterly: Settings may need updates
Update hours: For seasonal changes
Check integrations: Ensure connections are active
Audit permissions: Remove unnecessary access
Troubleshooting
Changes not taking effect
Possible Causes:
Didn't click Save
Browser cache
Permission issue
Solutions:
Verify Save button clicked
Refresh browser/clear cache
Check admin access
Timezone wrong
Symptoms:
Automations sending at wrong times
Reports show incorrect times
Solutions:
Update timezone setting
Save and verify
Allow time for cache to clear
Related Articles
Site Configuration - Room and zone setup
User Roles & Permissions - Access control
PMS Integrations Overview - PMS connections
Contactless Check-in Setup - Check-in configuration