Looking for honest opinions on investing in and getting guests to use a branded hostel mobile app!

Hi all!

First time poster here, setting out on my journey at being an independent hostel owner!

Considering developing one (through a vendor) for my new hostel. I have 2 goals it must achieve:

1) It'll help increase my review scores and volume of overall guest feedback via improving my guest's experience and proactively soliciting reviews from them

2)Help me earn higher revenue per guest via upselling more activities and travel supplies. (e.g. surfing lessons, toothbrushes, padlocks, hostel branded merch etc.!)

Would love to hear from folks who have considered or tried and failed or are currently crushing it on this front. My immediate questions are:

a) What features do you find work well?

b) What are some pitfalls to look out for?

c) What tactics do you use to get guests to use it?

d) Who developed it for you or did you built it all DIY?

Appreciate any and all thoughts!