KAYAK is planning to open their first hotel this year. The KAYAK Miami Beach is expected to open in April 2021.

The company, which is a big name in the travel search industry, was founded in 2004 and has not yet ventured into the hotel owner field.

“We see a big opportunity to apply our audience and technology to the accommodations space to level the playing field for independent hotels,” said Steve Hafner, CEO of KAYAK. “Our Miami Beach property will serve as our hotel design lab and deepen our knowledge of hospitality and showcase our growing capabilities.”

KAYAK Miami Beach will be located in Collins Park in a 1934 landmark art-deco building. It includes a wrap-around public rooftop area, which will house a bar and restaurant.

The hotel will offer contactless check-in and check-out, through either a mobile app or digital kiosk in the hotel lobby. KAYAK will be using the hotel as an experiment to build hotel technology and software, including cloud-based property management systems, wireless lock and access controls, and distribution channel management.

“Our mission is to create value for independent lifestyle hotels and their owners,” said Rami Zeidan, founder and CEO of Life House. “Together with KAYAK, we can accelerate our leadership in this quickly evolving space.”

“We’re excited to reimagine accommodations with Life House,” said Hafner. “KAYAK Miami Beach provides a playground for guests and our development teams alike.”

KAYAK expects to open up additional hotels in the future.