One strategy, in particular, is advanced technology. Hotels across the country are implementing new smart tech to improve the stay of their guests. Let’s go over some solutions that hotels are using and ways your hotel can adopt these new technologies.
Smart technology is increasingly popular throughout homes and offices and is an excellent place for your hotel to start. Voice assistants such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple’s Siri are beginning to show up more and more in hotel rooms. These smart technologies make your guests’ stay easier by assisting them with lighting, A/C and heating, television control, and more.
Furthermore, these voice assistants significantly reduce points of contact. Guests can use this contactless technology with commands such as opening room doors or turning the lights on so that they don’t have to touch these high trafficked areas.
A Hawaii hotel, Espacio the Jewel of Waikiki, went above and beyond with a fully-automated room control system. According to Hotel Business, Guests can use the room’s provided iPad to control the in-room audio system, climate control, lighting, and window shades. Guests are also able to use the system to book appointments and make reservations within the hotel.
To reduce the number of face-to-face interactions between hotel staff and guests, hotels can consider using virtual concierge services to accommodate guests and answer any questions. For example, if guests want to know the Wi-Fi password, they can ask their virtual concierge instead of picking up a phone or walking down to the lobby.
This approach will not only reduce contact, but it will also save your staff time to focus on other duties.
In downtown Washington, D.C., a new hotel Zena implemented a touchless room control system via Google Nest Hubs. Guests can make phone calls, play music, watch shows, set alarms, and more actions, all via a virtual concierge that promotes a contactless guest experience.
A branded app is a win-win in that it’s a contactless solution, and it’s also a great way to increase brand awareness. Your guests can use this branded app for any function you choose to add to it, such as reservations, room service, etc.
Of course, you do not want to lose the hospitable touch that comes from human interaction. It is up to your hotel on which features you’d like to include and exclude on an app if you choose to invest in this technological solution.
Hotel brands using their own branded apps include Hyatt Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, and IHG. These branded apps allow guests to check-in, check-out, make restaurant and spa reservations, and more unique qualities per property.
The world of tech is moving at rapid speed, and it may be time your hotel begins to think about implementing some technology solutions. Your guests will appreciate the effort you put into making their stay seamless and safe, especially during these uncertain times.
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