Whether you like it or not, technology pretty much influences and shapes nearly all aspects of our lives in todays world. From work and productivity to entertainment, technology and technological devices can be applied to improve our lives in a number of different ways. This is especially true for businesses, as if they want to remain competitive they are almost forced to use some type of technology today. Technology has also been creeping into the hotel and hospitality industry, as we are seeing a variety of different hotels utilizing new technologies to improve their customers experience. We are going to take a look at then new technology and technology related trends that are impacting and shaking up the modern hotel industry.
10. Free WiFi
Okay this seems really silly right? Wireless internet isn’t anything new, and there are plenty of places where you can get free WiFi. But still, this is somewhat new for the hotel and hospitality industry. Sure, nearly all modern hotels offer wireless internet, but even in 2015, many of those places you have to pay to use WiFi. You would think that free WiFi would be included at every hotel, but that is simply not the case as many still want you to pay a daily rate to access the internet, and usually the internet that you pay for is slow. So while WiFi isn’t a new form of technology, offering free WiFi is still something that you don’t see at every hotel.
9. Tablet/Computer Rental Services
While most modern travelers probably have a smartphone or a computer with them, many hotels are now offering programs where guests can rent a tablet or a laptop for their personal needs. Some hotels even give you a complimentary tablet for your use upon arrival.
8. Smart Televisions in Rooms
More and more hotels are also outfitting their rooms with smart televisions. While hotels would brag about offering a complete entertainment system in the past, smart TV’s are now the new norm. These televisions replace the cable boxes, the smartphone dock, the video game system, and all the other entertainment devices in a room with just one television set that can do it all. You can connect you phone or computer to these televisions, and then access the cable, your Netflix account, room service, and a variety of other features all from your TV.
7. Virtual “Keys”
Most modern smartphones are outfitted with NFC (near field communication) that allows us to use things like Apple Pay and what not. Well, this technology in breaking into the hotel industry as well. Instead of hotels producing and issuing physical keys and key cards, we now have the means to offer virtual “keys”. So rather than using your key to unlock your room, you can now simply tap your phone to your rooms lock and it will unlock the door for you. People often lose their hotel keycards, but they’re less likely to misplace their cellphones.
6. Having a “Smart Lobby”
In the past, a hotels lobby would typically be somewhat of a luxurious lounge that offered a variety of coaches and chairs and maybe a few televisions. Now hotels are transforming their lobbies and placing an emphasis on technology. You will see hotels that have multiple smart TV’s, computer consoles, and a variety of other technological devices for guests to use.
5. A Mobile App that Does Everything
Marriott has recently introduced an add-on to their mobile app, called “Mobile Request”, that provides users with a more convenient way of enjoying the hotel experience. From the app you can book rooms, order room service, reserve a conference room, request a pickup from the airport, and more. They are just testing the system out as of right now, but it seems that more hotels will offer comparable apps that provide guests with a variety of different services and features.
4. Nest
Nest Labs is a company that develops and produces a range of sensors and systems that can bring your home into the 21st century. With their products you can remotely control the temperature of your home, monitor your energy consumption, save money on your utility bills, and more. These devices are now being used in hotels as their potential is nearly endless. While your in your room, Nest can control the temperature to meet your needs. When you leave, Nest will reduce your energy consumption until you come back. It’s just another way for hotels to offer a more modern experience.
3. Integration with Uber
Uber is the modern response to the aging taxi cab industry. If you’ve ever used the service, then you know that it’s vastly superior to traditional taxis. Well now Starwood Hotels and a few others are letting guests use their hotel points on Uber rides. You can rack up points through traveling, eating at the hotels restaurant, and booking a room and then use those points to take an Uber somewhere.
2. Robotic Staff Members
The Henn-na Hotel at a theme park in Nagasaki, Japan will be the worlds first robotic hotel when it opens its doors sometime in 2016. The entire hotel staff has been replaced by robots that perform a variety of different functions/services. The “receptionists” are robots that can speak Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and English, and the waiters, maids, and lobby “boys” are all robots. It’s certainly very interesting, and while it might just be a gimmick now, it would be safe to assume that more and more hotels will use robots in the future.
1. Virtual Concierge Service
Many hotels are also replacing their concierge services with a virtual one. Instead of calling the concierge desk, you can now make requests and inquire about information through your smartphone or computer. All of the new technologies that hotels are using are meant to make things more convenient for the guest, and having a virtual concierge service is just another example.
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