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Mike Delafield
Infrastructure Engineer
June 5, 2025
A lot of businesses move to the cloud to save money, work faster, and stay competitive. But here’s the problem—about 1 in 2 cloud migration projects either fail or get stuck halfway through. That’s a big deal for hotels and bars, where even a small tech issue can cause delays, unhappy guests, or lost bookings.
That’s why you need a solid cloud migration strategy. It’s not just about moving files or apps. It’s about knowing what to move, when to move it, and how to keep everything running smoothly while you do.
In this blog, you’ll see what a good strategy looks like, how to avoid common mistakes in having a cloud server support, and what steps really matter when you're ready to move your hotel or bar to the cloud.
A cloud migration strategy is a comprehensive game plan that maps out how your business will move from on-premise systems or one cloud platform to another.
It accounts for every layer—applications, data, servers, workloads, and user permissions. Without it, migration efforts tend to become chaotic, expensive, and risky.
In the hospitality sector, the impact of a strong cloud data migration plan is felt across every department. Front desk teams benefit from more responsive systems. Housekeeping can track room statuses in real time.
Bar staff get access to updated inventory and ordering systems on mobile devices. Managers gain visibility through unified dashboards that compile data from different locations, properties, or franchises.
Choosing the right strategy from the six Rs can make or break your migration project. Each offers a distinct approach depending on business goals, app dependencies, and IT maturity.
Rehosting involves moving applications to the cloud without any code changes. It’s the fastest route to migrate to the cloud and works best for hotels or bars that need quick cloud adoption without extensive development budgets.
Rehosted workloads in the cloud server support may not be optimised, but they get you running faster and help control cloud costs during early migration phases.
Replatforming makes minor adjustments to improve app performance in the cloud. For example, moving a reservation app to a managed database service.
It keeps the core structure intact while letting hospitality businesses benefit from some cloud features. It’s a middle ground between rehost and refactor.
Refactoring transforms your application into a cloud-native version. It’s ideal for high-growth venues or chains looking for long-term scalability, cost savings, and performance gains.
However, it demands skilled developers and longer project timelines, which might not suit small bars with lean IT budgets.
Repurchasing replaces legacy systems with SaaS alternatives. For example, swapping a local POS for a cloud-based POS like Square or Toast.
This strategy is common in hospitality because of the increasing number of cloud-native tools tailored to the industry.
Retiring refers to decommissioning old apps that no longer provide value. It’s often overlooked as a cloud migration strategy, but it helps reduce cloud migration effort and cost.
For instance, a seldom-used inventory tracking tool might be eliminated during the cloud data migration journey to streamline operations.
Retain is about keeping certain workloads on-premise—for now. Maybe your guest Wi-Fi controllers or local surveillance systems stay in the data centre due to latency needs or compliance.
Retain is often used in hybrid or phased migration plans and gives flexibility while you test other apps in the cloud environment.
Below is a step-by-step breakdown of how to carry out a successful cloud migration tailored for hospitality environments.
Begin by conducting a cloud readiness assessment with your cloud server support. Catalogue all applications, workloads, databases, and digital tools currently in use across your hotel or bar. Determine which systems are cloud-compatible, which need refactoring, and which should be retired.
For instance, older legacy systems tied to on-site servers may require replatforming or complete replacement with cloud-native tools. Use discovery tools to identify system dependencies and understand how each piece of technology interacts.
Consider how critical services—such as payment processing or guest management systems—must be prioritised for minimal disruption during cloud data migration.
Evaluating the current environment also helps establish the scope of your migration journey, estimate cloud costs, and define KPIs for success.
Select a cloud platform based on your specific needs. AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud are the major cloud service providers, each offering different cloud capabilities, tools, and pricing models.
If your hotel uses a Microsoft-heavy environment, Azure might offer better integration. For scalability and global reach, the AWS cloud could be ideal.
You also need to decide on a public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud setup. A bar with minimal internal IT might benefit from a public cloud, while a larger hospitality chain might opt for a hybrid model to maintain certain services on-premise.
Also factor in the provider’s cloud adoption framework, available support services, compliance certifications, and regional data centres.
Create a phased cloud migration plan that includes timelines, resource allocation, team responsibilities, and fallback procedures. Start with low-risk applications or non-critical workloads—this initial migration allows you to test your process without risking business continuity.
Develop a cloud data migration roadmap with phases like pre-migration preparation, pilot testing, actual migration, and post-migration validation. Include change management, especially if staff need to be trained on new systems or workflows.
A well-defined plan should also outline the use of cloud migration strategy tools to automate and monitor transitions. Tools like Azure Migrate, AWS Migration Hub, or third-party platforms offer dashboards and checklists to streamline migration efforts and reduce error rates.
Determine the migration approach—whether it’s rehosting, replatforming, or refactoring—based on your earlier assessments on cloud server support. Modify applications as needed to ensure they work within the new cloud environment.
For example, a bar’s mobile ordering system might need slight adjustments (replatforming) to take advantage of cloud load balancing. Meanwhile, a hotel's CRM might need a full re-architecture to integrate with new APIs or offer mobile check-in features.
Back up all data before initiating the migration phase. Clean up and optimise data to avoid transferring unnecessary workloads to the cloud, which can drive up costs.
Start migrating applications in phases. Use a pilot approach—migrate one system or business unit at a time, starting with non-essential services. This helps identify issues early and build confidence before migrating mission-critical systems like booking engines or POS platforms.
Ensure real-time monitoring throughout the migration phase. Use dashboards to track cloud operations, latency, system stability, and error logs.
During this phase, expect minor hiccups, especially in large environments. Having a rollback plan ensures that any major issue can be quickly mitigated without affecting business continuity.
Communication with frontline staff is key. Make sure hotel or bar personnel understand what’s happening and who to contact if something goes wrong.
Once the cloud data migration is complete, focus on optimisation. Review cloud spending, scale resources to match actual demand, and remove unused cloud instances. This helps keep cloud costs under control and ensures efficient use of cloud architecture.
Also, conduct a full security audit. Ensure data encryption, user access policies, and backup schedules are all properly set up. Hospitality businesses must protect sensitive guest data and comply with regulations like PCI DSS and GDPR.
Leverage cloud-native tools for continuous monitoring and performance analysis. Solutions like Azure Monitor, AWS CloudWatch, and Google Cloud Operations Suite help track resource usage and identify bottlenecks.
Validate each application and system in the new cloud environment. Test features thoroughly to ensure they function correctly and offer the same—or better—experience than before.
Check guest-facing systems like websites, booking portals, and online menus. Internally, ensure back-office operations, accounting systems, and employee portals are working smoothly. Validate data integrity across the board.
Gather feedback from staff and customers to catch any missed issues in your cloud server support. A feedback loop ensures ongoing refinement and improvement in your cloud adoption strategy.
Not all cloud migration strategies deliver immediate wins, but there are clear signs that your migration approach is driving value. Here’s what successful cloud migration looks like for hotels, bars, and hospitality groups:
Cloud server support refers to the managed services that keep your cloud infrastructure healthy, secure, and high-performing. It includes monitoring cloud platforms for outages, ensuring backups run, optimising workloads, and updating systems to prevent vulnerabilities.
For a hospitality business, cloud server support is not optional—it’s essential. Hotels and bars rely on real-time systems for bookings, transactions, guest services, and more. A minor delay or system failure can lead to lost revenue or bad guest experiences.
Cloud server support ensures your cloud computing environment stays optimised, that your applications during the cloud data migration and after remain stable, and that your data in the cloud is protected with the latest protocols.
If your hotel, bar, or restaurant is thinking about your cloud migration strategy—or struggling with one that didn’t deliver—this is the right time to fix it.
Clarity IT offers tailored support, real cloud migration tools, and a hands-on approach that works for hospitality businesses.
What sets us apart is our hospitality-first approach. Our team has executed cloud migration projects for venues of all sizes, from boutique bars to multi-property hotel groups.
Let your next move to the cloud be the one that actually works.
Cloud migration is the transfer of data, applications, and other digital resources from a traditional data centre to a cloud platform. For hotels and bars, this migration supports cloud adoption by improving flexibility, scalability, and guest service delivery.
When hospitality operators migrate to the cloud, they gain access to cloud computing benefits like remote access, faster updates, and centralised operations.
A successful cloud migration strategy also supports long-term growth by streamlining reservations, POS, and internal communication systems.
There are multiple types of cloud migration strategies available, including lift and shift (rehost), refactor, replatform, repurchase, retire, and retain—known collectively as the 6 Rs of cloud migration.
These strategies help businesses transition to the cloud environment that best suits their operational needs. For example, a bar with minimal IT support may use a lift and shift approach, while a multi-property hotel may opt for a hybrid cloud setup.
Selecting the most suitable cloud strategy depends on the business model, existing systems, and cloud capabilities required.
Common cloud data migration challenges include compatibility issues, unexpected downtime, and misestimated cloud costs. During the initial migration phase, legacy systems may conflict with the chosen cloud architecture or workload in the cloud.
To avoid these setbacks, a detailed migration plan should be built using cloud migration tools and based on cloud readiness assessments.
Businesses should also consider using a cloud adoption framework and best practices provided by major cloud providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
Cloud migration tools simplify the entire cloud migration process by mapping dependencies, testing applications, and managing data migration tasks. These tools support application migration from one cloud to another or from on-premise systems to the cloud infrastructure.
By automating complex tasks and reducing manual migration effort, these tools ensure a successful cloud migration strategy. Platforms like AWS Migration Hub, Azure Migrate, and Google Cloud’s transfer services are popular options among hospitality venues undergoing digital transformation.
The benefits of cloud migration include lower operational costs, improved uptime, and better scalability.
Migrating applications to the cloud reduces the need for physical servers, enabling businesses to shift their resources to the cloud and reduce IT maintenance. It also improves the benefits of using cloud services like real-time data access, mobile integrations, and faster software updates.
As venues adopt cloud services, they benefit from cloud solutions designed for both guest-facing systems and internal operations.
Cloud-to-cloud migration refers to moving from one cloud provider to another—such as transitioning from AWS to Microsoft Azure or from private cloud to public cloud. This is often done to access better features, reduce costs, or improve integration.
A proper approach to cloud migration involves evaluating the current platform, understanding the differences in cloud service capabilities, and using the right migration approach and migration services.
Businesses must also consider the actual migration timeline and maintain data integrity throughout.
A successful cloud migration journey is built on strong planning, a phased migration strategy, and ongoing support. It begins with cloud readiness assessments and ends with fully functional applications in the cloud without service interruptions.
Using migration tools and aligning with the right cloud provider—whether AWS cloud, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure—ensures that each application during the migration performs as expected.
Hotels and bars can benefit from cloud platforms that support scalable workloads, reduce cloud spending, and provide reliable cloud operations for long-term success.
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