How to add a room service catalog using the regular catalog

Overview

The regular catalog lets you create and manage room service catalogs in three formats: PDF catalog, linked catalog, and manual catalog. This flexibility helps ensure that guests can easily access the room service offerings, whether through a static document, an external webpage, or an interactive experience within the app.

This article provides step-by-step instructions for setting up each type of catalog, so you can choose the best format based on your room service needs.

 

Before getting started

Before adding a catalog, make sure you:

• Have access to Content > Services > Room service in the CMS.
• Decide whether to use a PDF catalog, a linked catalog or a manual catalog (interactive format).
• Prepare all the necessary details in advance: catalog names, product descriptions, images, prices, and any variations.
• Have the PDF file or link ready if using an external catalog.

Step-by-step guide

Option 1: Uploading a PDF catalog

1. Navigate to Content > Services > Room service.
2. Select the room service and click Edit.
3. Go to the Catalog tab.
4. Click Add catalog.
5. Choose an icon and enter the catalog name.
   • Click the flag icon to add translations for different languages.
6. Select PDF catalog.
7. Type a name for the file and upload it by clicking Browse. Add one file per language, if needed, by clicking the flag icon.
   • The file should not exceed 5 MB
8. If you want the PDF to open in a browser instead of the app, check Open catalog in browser.
9. Click Save changes.

Previewing a PDF catalog

1. Click the flag icon next to the catalog name.
2. Click the Preview button next to each language catalog.
3. A new window will open displaying the catalog.

Replacing a PDF catalog

To replace an existing PDF catalog:

1. Click the flag icon next to the catalog name.
2. Click the red X icon to delete the old PDF, and click Confirm.
3. Upload the new PDF file following the same steps as above.
4. Click Save changes.

Deleting a PDF catalog

1. Click the flag icon next to the catalog name.
2. Click the red X icon to remove the PDF for each language, and click Confirm.
3. Click Save changes.

Option 2: Adding a linked catalog

1. Navigate to Content > Services > Room service.
2. Select the room service and click Edit.
3. Go to the Catalog tab.
4. Click Add catalog.
5. Choose an icon and enter the catalog name.
   • Click the flag icon to add translations for different languages.
6. Select Linked catalog.
7. Type a name for the link and then paste the URL. Add one link per language, if needed, by clicking the flag icon.
8. If you want the link to open in a browser instead of the app, check Open URL in browser.
9. Click Save changes.

Replacing a linked catalog

To replace an existing linked catalog:

1. Click the flag icon next to the URL link.
2. Select the text and remove it.
3. Paste the new link. Then, click Confirm.
4. Click Save changes.

Deleting a linked catalog

1. Click the flag icon next to the URL link.
2. Select the text and remove it. Then, click Confirm.
3. Click Save changes.

Option 3: Creating a manual catalog

Step 1: Choose the manual catalog type

1. Navigate to Content > Services > Room service.

2. Select the room service and click Edit.

3. Go to the Catalog tab.

4. Click Add catalog.

5. Choose an icon and enter the catalog name.

   • Click the flag icon to add translations for different languages.

6. Choose between:

   1. Standard room service catalog: Guests can order products exactly as they appear in the menu, without customization. Use this option for simple options that don’t require guest input (e.g., a pasta dish that does not allow adding or removing products).
   2. Advanced room service catalog (recommended): Guests can order products and configure them with different options to make their order more specific (add or remove elements, choose cooking point of meat, choose the ingredients of a salad...).

   

Step 2: Choose how to display free products

Decide how you want products with no cost to appear in the app. You can choose from three options:

• • Show custom text (e.g., “Included”)
  • Display the number “0”
  • Leave the field empty

Step 3: Creating categories

Before adding products, you need to create categories (e.g., Breakfast, starters, drinks…).

1. Under the Add products to the catalog section, click the Add category field.
2. Enter the category name (e.g., "Breakfast").
3. Click the flag icon to add translations.
4. Click the arrow icon to save changes.
5. Use the buttons on the right side to change order (arrow up or down) or delete (trash) categories.

Step 4: Adding products

After creating categories, add individual products:

1. Under the desired category, click Add product.

   Optional: Use Add product from template to save time.

2. Enter the product name.

3. If using a template, select the appropriate predefined item.

4. Click Add product to save changes.

 

Step 5: Editing a product

To edit a product, locate it under its category and use the action icons:

• • Arrow icon: Move the product to another category.
  • Pencil icon: Edit the product details.
  • Trash icon: Delete the product.

Step 6: Editing product details

After adding a product, click the edit icon (pencil) to open the product editor. The available fields depend on the type of catalog:

For standard room service catalogs

Use the following fields to define how the product will appear in the app:

• • Name: Add the product name in all available languages.
  • Images: Upload a high-quality image (max. 1 MB, recommended size: 400x400 px).
  • Price: Set a base price.
  • Add Price: Use this option to define different prices based on variations in dishes or drinks, such as size. You'll need to enter a label in the Size field (e.g., "small," "medium," "big").
  • Size: Label used to distinguish each price variation.
  • Description: Add a short description of the product.
  • Activate offer: Enable and set a promotional price and title.
  • Tags: Add relevant tags to help users find the products through search.

 

For advanced room service catalogs

Advanced catalogs include all the standard fields, plus additional options for product customization:

• • Name: Add the product name in all available languages.
  • Description: Summarize the description of the product.
  • Price: Set the base price. This is a required field.
  • Maximum item number per order: Define the maximum number of units of that product that can be ordered in a single request.
  • Images: Upload a representative image (max. 1 MB; recommended size: 400x400 px).
  • Allergens and Ingredients: Mark allergens and dietary options (vegan, vegetarian, halal).
  • Tags: Add relevant keywords to improve search and filtering.
  • Activate offer: Enable a promotional price and label.
  • Product configuration:
    • Widgets: Add additional single-choice or multiple-choice options for product customization (e.g., bread type, hamburger ingredients).
    • Upsell: Offer optional complementary products or services at a special price (e.g., drink, dessert…).

 

Once you’ve completed the product setup:

1. Click Save and close the editor window.
2. Switch the toggle button to Enabled to make the product visible in the catalog.
3. Click Save changes.

If you want each product in the catalog to display its image on the side, enable the Include image next to each product option.

Step 7: Activating the catalog

To make the catalog visible:

1. In the Catalog tab, toggle the activation switch to Enabled (green).
2. Click Save changes.

Next steps

• If you have multiple catalogs(e.g., Breakfast, dinner, cocktails...)., repeat these steps for each one. Note: Remember that only one manual catalog can be created. Once it has been created, you will only be able to create catalogs with PDFs or links.
• Use QR codes to allow guests to access the catalog easily via their phones.
• Test the catalog using the Preview button in the CMS to ensure correct formatting.

Need further assistance?

If you have additional questions or require further assistance:

• Contact us via live chat
• Send a ticket to our Support team
• Visit STAY Academy, our training platform.