Cosmos Hotel Group Introduces Online Check-In via the MAX Messenger
The rollout of domestic digital services in Russia’s hotel sector is becoming a nationwide trend. It is increasingly likely that a unified standard could soon emerge across all regions.
No Manual Data Entry
The Cosmos Hotel Group has launched a pre-arrival online check-in service within the national MAX messenger. The service allows guests to complete their registration forms in advance and securely transmit their data to the hotel via a chatbot, significantly reducing verification time at the front desk upon arrival.
The process is designed to be straightforward and user-friendly. A guest books a room on the hotel’s website and then receives an email invitation to complete registration through the MAX messenger. Within MAX, the user selects the data-sharing option and confirms their identity via the Gosuslugi government services portal, after which the registration form is automatically populated in the hotel’s system. At check-in, staff only need to verify the guest’s passport, completing the process. Manual data entry is no longer required. The service is currently live at the Cosmos Smart Dubininskaya hotel in Moscow, with a phased rollout planned across the entire Cosmos network.
The new service not only speeds up the check-in process for guests but also reduces queues at reception desks and lowers the operational workload for hotel staff. These changes provide a clear example of how digital services are reshaping hotel operations.
A Service Designed for the Russian Market
The solution highlights a broader digitalisation trend – deeper integration between government services and commercial platforms. If the service is scaled to other hotel chains and regions, it could strengthen MAX’s position as a foundation for a broader service ecosystem. In that case, such functionality could become a standard feature in Russian hotels, much as contactless payments have become standard in retail. Service quality would improve noticeably without a corresponding increase in staffing costs.
While the technology itself is not unique on the global market – similar solutions are already in use at international hotel chains – the positioning of a national digital platform combining government services integration with a messenger interface could prove attractive in markets with mature digital identity systems. That said, the service is expected to see the strongest demand domestically.
In Line With Global Trends
Similar solutions are also emerging in Russia for simplifying check-in at international hotel brands. In January 2026, the Radisson hotel chain introduced pre-arrival online registration via MAX. In this respect, Russia is following leading global trends: self-service registration and mobile check-in have long been used by major international hotels and airlines, with examples including simplified mobile check-in via Marriott and Hilton apps.
As for integration with government portals for identity verification, this approach is developing most actively in countries with advanced digital ID platforms, such as Estonia and Singapore.
Future Standards
The introduction of MAX-based registration is part of the broader digital transformation of Russia’s hospitality industry. The project improves guest convenience while optimising hotel operations and fits into a wider strategy of service digitalisation built around national platforms.
Looking ahead, the service is likely to be rolled out across additional Cosmos properties and partner hotels. MAX’s functionality could also expand beyond registration to include stay management features, virtual room keys, and mobile room access. It is highly likely that standardised digital registration practices will emerge across Russia’s hotel industry and be adopted at the regional level.
