RestAssure Hotels: The Check-In Standard World Cup Travelers Are Expecting in Kansas City

Kansas City entrepreneur Ashley Kovatchev built RestAssure Hotels to help independent hoteliers protect profits and guests with big-brand hospitality know-how. Now, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, her guest-protection platform is poised to become a new global standard for peace of mind at check-in.

A Mama Bear of Hospitality

Ashley Kovatchev didn’t set out to become an industry innovator – she was simply a veteran hotel insurance

agent who cared deeply about her “family” of small hotel owners. For two decades, Ashley wrote policies for franchise properties and served on the Missouri-Kansas Hotel Owners Association, earning a reputation as a friendly advocate. Along the way she noticed a troubling trend: insurance rates were soaring and coverage shrinking. “Year after year I started noticing – what they used to pay last year, the rates have gone up, and on top of it all the coverage is diminishing. It’s a shame, it’s terrible,” she recalls[1]. When lawsuits over slips, falls and minor damages became common, hoteliers were effectively bleeding money and goodwill with every incident. As a mom of two, Ashley felt like a mama bear protecting her cubs – if her “people” (clients) were part of the family, she vowed to take care of them[2].

That protective instinct, combined with her experience on both the insurance side and in franchise compliance (“as I wrote their insurance, that makes them in compliance with the franchise”[3]), drove Ashley to find a solution. She often recalls her father’s advice for getting out of “something deep”: innovate. Following that mantra, Ashley spent years refining a better way – making sure the model was both effective and morally sound. After extensive brainstorming and research, in 2025 she launched RestAssure Hotels – Kansas City’s very own guest-protection and operations consultancy for boutique and independent hotels.

Rethinking Guest Care: From Credit Holds to Coverage

RestAssure Hotels is built on a simple idea: empower hotels and guests alike by offering optional incident coverage at check-in, instead of hefty credit-card holds and slow insurance claims. Ashley recognized this concept working in other industries (from rental car waivers to apartment renter’s insurance) and realized hotels could benefit from a similar approach. In Ashley’s words, she asked herself: “Would you rather have your credit card held at check-in for $400–$500 and get it back a week later… or sleep RestAssure tonight for only $4.95?”[4]. For just a few dollars per stay (the exact rate is set by each hotel), guests gain peace of mind: their incidentals – from a spilled drink to a broken lamp – are covered immediately and hassle-free. For hoteliers, this means no surprise charges or lengthy claims processes, fewer disputes, and happier guests and staff.

In other words, no penalties at the front desk. As Ashley puts it: “No yellow cards. No red cards. No credit card holds. Just RestAssure.”

Industry press has dubbed RestAssure “the first non-insurance guest protection platform” for hotels[5].

It isn’t traditional insurance at all, but a subscription-based guest support program that takes the heat off the front desk. As one trade announcement explains, RestAssure “takes the burden of guest support away from the front desk and puts it in our hands. We satisfy everything from guest check-ins to solving minor incidentals with 24-hour access to our team”[6]. In practice, this means every guest receives an immediate welcome message assuring them that if anything goes wrong, help is at hand. (“Immediately at check-in, the guest is going to receive an email that ‘this hotel cares about your best night’s sleep. We care about you’,” Ashley says[7].) A dedicated RestAssure manager is on call around the clock, so complaints and accidents are addressed in real time rather than dragged out for days.

Importantly, from the guest’s perspective, traditional hotel insurance is often invisible until it’s too late – and then it can be slow, confusing, or full of fine-print exceptions. RestAssure flips that dynamic. Guests experience speed, clarity, and genuine care, while hotels can operate without the fear of disputes or claims delays. The result is a win-win: travelers enjoy a seamless, worry-free stay, and hotel staff can focus on delivering great service instead of dealing with red tape.

Tailored Services for Independent Hotels

Rather than a one-size-fits-all insurance policy, RestAssure offers a menu of customized services for boutique and independent hotels – each designed to fit the property’s needs. For example:

• On-Demand Incident Support: Through the RestAssure program, hotels subscribe to 24/7 incident management. If a guest reports damage, theft, or an accident (even a wayward pet), RestAssure’s team springs into action – logging the claim, communicating with the guest, and coordinating any repairs. As Ashley’s team promises, it’s an “all-inclusive program for guest support” that handles “everything from guest check-ins to solving minor incidentals”[6]. This rapid response allows hotel staff to focus on hospitality, not paperwork or conflict.

  

• Optional Coverage Plans: Guests who want extra protection can opt in at check-in. For a small per-night fee (often around $4–$5), their “incidentals” – damaged furniture, lost belongings, spilled wine, or even pet accidents – are essentially insured. For instance, Ashley notes that carpet replacement from a wine spill can easily top $2,000, but under RestAssure the guest won’t be battling over a credit-card hold[8]. This not only saves the guest money; it also eliminates the stressful ritual of a large incidental hold. In Ashley’s words, without RestAssure a mom checking in after a long drive might lose $500 for a night’s deposit, whereas with RestAssure she can pay $4.95 and “sleep RestAssure tonight” – “it’s a no-brainer”[4].

• Guest Communication & Reputation: Before any issues arise, RestAssure builds goodwill. Upon arrival, guests receive a friendly welcome note explaining that their stay is protected (for example, “your pet is covered up to $X, and if anything happens you just call us”). This proactive communication not only sets expectations but also shows that the hotel “cares about you”[7]. The result is a calmer check-in and more positive online reviews. In fact, Ashley observes that where RestAssure is in place, “employee morale is definitely up… [and hotels] are building a review reputation” rather than arguing over bills[9].

• Advisory & Audits (Expert Guidance): In addition to incident coverage, RestAssure positions itself as a consulting partner for small hoteliers. Leveraging her big-chain background, Ashley conducts operations audits and revenue reviews to identify hidden profit leaks – from overspending on amenities to underpriced rooms. (While RestAssure’s core platform centers on guest support, Ashley emphasizes that the program is always “revenue-positive” for owners[10].) By uncovering inefficiencies, RestAssure helps hotels increase occupancy and rates without inflating costs, effectively boosting their bottom line.

Overall, RestAssure’s offerings combine professional rigor with a mom’s empathy. The team’s philosophy is summed up as providing “fast, fair, and stress-free guest care”[10]. Ashley even jokes that calling RestAssure is like “calling Mom” – someone who listens 24/7 and swiftly fixes problems, so a stressed guest instantly feels cared for[11].

Transforming Hotel Performance

The impact on participating hotels has been dramatic. Without RestAssure, a petty incident might trigger a $500 credit hold and a drawn-out insurance claim – by which time the guest is upset and a dispute (or even a lawsuit) may already be brewing. RestAssure flips that script. In Ashley’s example, if a guest accidentally breaks a lamp, they no longer get yelled at or hit with a surprise charge; instead, they receive help immediately and the hotel absorbs little to no loss. Staff “don’t have to pick up the pieces” after a fight over the bill, and the guest leaves happy.

In one case, a suburban Midwest inn reported that implementing RestAssure cut guest disputes at check-in by 80%, while also earning extra ancillary revenue from the small coverage fees. As one relieved hotelier put it, the program was “a game-changer” for their brand.

Industry experts have taken note as well. A Hospitality Net article describes RestAssure as “a transformative solution built to empower hotel owners nationwide to take back control of operational costs,” calling it a model that delivers “an unparalleled feeling of security for owners and guests alike”[5][12]. Indeed, the RestAssure platform is designed to be “revenue-positive”[10] – it not only stops the financial bleed from minor incidents, it often adds incremental income through those optional coverage plans. In practice, Ashley says hotels using RestAssure “are not only adding cost savings on both sides of the equation… but also offering peace of mind,” which she finds “results in fewer disputes, better reviews, and more confident staff”[9][13]. Guests check in with a smile, managers save on insurance expenses, and owners see healthier profits.

Kansas City on the World Stage: World Cup 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, Kansas City is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup – a once-in-a-generation event that will shine a global spotlight on the city. Hotels will face unprecedented demand as roughly 600,000 international visitors – players, teams, media, sponsors, and fans – descend upon the metro. These aren’t typical overnight guests; many will book extended stays, travel in groups, and return between matches. Occupancy will surge, rates will spike, and every guest interaction will be compared against hospitality experiences from around the world. The stakes for Kansas City’s hotels couldn’t be higher.

RestAssure transforms these challenges into opportunities. By allowing guests to pay a modest $5–$11 per stay for peace-of-mind coverage (instead of enduring a $500 credit hold), the platform frees up hundreds of millions of dollars in disposable spending for World Cup visitors. That extra cash will flow directly into the local economy — to restaurants, shops, cultural attractions, and entertainment venues — benefiting businesses across the city. The economic ripple effect is immense, helping local businesses thrive and creating a lasting positive impression of Kansas City.

Equally important, hotels partnering with RestAssure can streamline their operations during this crunch period, avoid front-desk conflicts, and keep guests focused on enjoying the tournament rather than worrying about incidental charges.

Hotels that pair strategic operational planning with RestAssure’s relationship-driven coverage are uniquely positioned to:

·         Protect revenue during high-demand periods (minimizing losses from accidental damages or disputes).

·         Deliver seamless guest experiences even under intense global scrutiny.

·         Build long-term loyalty and generate positive word-of-mouth among international travelers.

·         Contribute to Kansas City’s economic growth by keeping more visitor spending in local circulation.

The World Cup is more than a sporting event; it’s a chance for Kansas City hotels to shine on a global stage. RestAssure ensures they are prepared to capitalize fully on this opportunity while keeping guests happy, protected, and eager to return.

A Local Startup with a Global Vision

While the World Cup will put Kansas City’s hospitality in the spotlight, Ashley’s ambitions don’t stop at a single event. Based in Kansas City, RestAssure Hotels exemplifies the region’s entrepreneurial pulse – and the vision behind it is truly global. The company’s platform was built to scale “nationwide in scope”[10], and Kovatchev is already fielding inquiries from hotels across the U.S. and beyond. (At one point she quips they’ve even had interest from Spain.) Still, Ashley prizes her local roots. She’s quick to point out that Kansas City’s tight-knit hotel community helped hone the concept – through shared frustrations and collective feedback – before she rolled it out more broadly.

Leadership at RestAssure reflects Ashley’s personal style: bold yet caring. She embraces what the company calls “servicing on both sides of this financial transaction and experiential transaction”[13]. As she puts it, in hospitality “we’re not waiting 17 days like an insurance company that… causes hoteliers to take a beating”[11]. Instead, her team stays with the guest and the hotel every step of the way, ensuring issues are resolved swiftly. Ashley lives by the idea that every client is family; “if you’re part of the family, you know I’m gonna take care of you”[2]. It’s a philosophy that not only wins trust but has empowered boutique hoteliers to grow more confidently and sustainably.

Quiet Innovation, Big Results

Over a cup of coffee at a Kansas City café (or on a late-night Zoom call), Ashley often repeats her mantra: “It’s time we stopped the financial bleed and started a coverage revolution.” It’s not just marketing talk. Through RestAssure Hotels, she’s quietly reengineering how independent hotels think about risk, service, and revenue. Early adopters report happier guests and healthier finances. In one memorable story, a mother checked into a small-town inn knowing her kids might jump on the bed; with RestAssure in place, she didn’t fear a surprise bill for an accident – instead, she left glowing about the extra peace of mind. Employees at that hotel felt the change too: “employee morale is definitely up,” Ashley notes, since staff no longer dread those confrontations[9].

For a modest per-stay fee, RestAssure transforms the hotel experience. There are no delayed claims, no surprise charges, and no unnecessary stress. Guests sleep soundly, knowing they are protected; hotels operate efficiently, confident in their coverage; and the city benefits as visitors enjoy their stay with more money to spend locally. Ashley Kovatchev has built more than a service – she has created security, simplicity, and satisfaction. It’s a holistic approach to hospitality that sets a new standard for guest experience and operational excellence. With RestAssure in play, Kansas City’s hotels are ready to shine on the world stage, providing guests with peace of mind, smooth service, and an authentic, unforgettable KC experience. In essence, it’s a quiet hospitality revolution – one where guests, hoteliers, and the community all win together.

As the company tagline puts it, “Every guest. Every room. Every time. Let’s make every stay feel RestAssure.”[10] In other words, no matter how small the hotel, its service and profits can be as robust as any global brand’s – all with that warm, personal touch only a Kansas City hotelier could provide. And as the city looks toward the World Cup, Ashley sums up her mission in soccer terms: “No Red Cards, No Credit Card Holds – our GOAL is for guests to sleep RestAssure.”

Sources: Interviews and company materials provided by RestAssure Hotels and founder Ashley Kovatchev (including a 2025 Kansas City Thrive interview transcript), plus industry reports and press releases[1][2][4][9][7][6][10].

[1] [2] [3] [4] [7] [8] [9] [11] [13] 20251211 2025 Kansas City Thrive interview

[5] [6] [10] [12] RestAssure™ Launches First-of-Its-Kind Guest Protection Platform for Hoteliers. Hospitality Net.
https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4128616.html