As technology becomes integrated into almost every aspect of our lives, hotels are utilising it to ease some of the traditional pain points for customers. From digital key cards to ease check-in congestion to iPad’s to message the concierge, big chains and independent hotels are using technology to stand out and deliver a memorable customer experience.
Independent hotels may not have the budgets of the larger groups, but some have invested in technology which will impress, and possibly scare, even the most seasoned traveller to make them stand out from the crowd. Here’s a roundup of some of the most interesting:
If you love… Robots
Aloft Cupertino in California has a robot call Botlr who can bring you towels or snacks while you’re relaxing by the pool, or he can deliver things to your room. That’s definitely an incentive to order room service!
The Yotel in New York has a robot (called Yobot) who will safely store your luggage and will release it back to you with a pin and your surname. The hotel also has motorised beds that move to give you more space in your room.
The Weird Hotel (yes, really) in Japan has an English-speaking dinosaur robot, a Japanese-speaking humanoid robot (which, to be honest, looks a little creepy) to check you in and a robot concierge doll in each room. There’s even a robot to carry your baggage to your room.
If you love… golf but don’t have the time to play while you’re travelling
Hotel 1000 in Seattle has a virtual golf course where you can play at any of the top 50 courses from around the world! There are two golf stations and an infrared tracking system measures velocity, spin and trajectory of the ball to give you the most realistic experience possible.
If you love… to be there ‘in person’
The NH Hotel in Berlin, Milan and Barcelona support holographic technology so you can project a 3D image of yourself, or your presentation, into the conference room.
If you love… luxury
Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles has recently been restored and they have integrated high spec tech with luxury decor. You can control the lights, temperature, wake up calls and do not disturb notices from one of the three touchscreen phones, the master switches or the Bang and Olufsen TV. You can use the in-room iPad to read any of the worlds major newspapers, order room service or even call housekeeping.
The Upper House in Hong Kong asks guests to check-in using a touchscreen tablet before they are loaned an iPod Touch which is preloaded with a library of music, games and movies. Rooms have unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi, a 42-inch HD widescreen TV with video on demand and the bathroom has freestanding limestone baths with integrated TV and touchscreen controls. The rooms start on the 38th floor so you’ll be able to enjoy the tech whilst marvelling at the amazing views of the Hong Kong skyline.
If you love… personalisation
The Aria Resort in Las Vegas has ‘Sky Villas’ which offer the ultimate in personalisation. As you approach your room, your RFID key (or smartphone if you’d prefer) will automatically unlock the door and your room will adjust itself to your preferred settings. The room will remember how you last had the lighting, the temperature, the curtains, TV channels or playing music or there is also a touchscreen that lets you control the automation and turn on the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door.
Latest Developments from Chain Hotels
The Hilton – The Digital Room Key
The legacy brand has positioned itself at the forefront of scalable technology through the investment of $550 million in global infrastructure. The first UK Hilton hotel to benefit from this is the Waldorf Hilton in London where customers will be able to take advantage of a Digital Room Key. When customers check-in they can opt to have the Digital Room Key enabled via the Hilton Honours app on their phone, giving them access to their room and any other areas they are able to access. Hilton also provides customers with the ability to choose their room based on the hotel layout and outside environment, a bit like when you choose your seat on a flight. The choice and personalization that Hilton is delivering to customers is impressive and the technology has been well received in the US and Canada with over 1,700 hotels having the Digital Room Key technology and over 11 million doors being opened using it.
Ibis by Accor – no front desks
The Accor group has also invested significantly in a digital transformation and Ibis, Ibis Styles and Ibis Budget Hotels are the latest to benefit from the technology rollout. By creating a check-in app, to complement the online check-in and check-out facility, Accor has focused on creating a more customer-centric experience which has enabled them to remove the traditional front desk. Karelle Lamouche, senior vice president, sales, AccorHotels UK & Ireland, commented: “Guests’ expectations are changing as they seek more social, interactive hospitality experiences with higher levels of customer service. This programme is a good example of how our brands are innovating and using technology in the right way to adapt to these changing expectations.”
