Are Smartphones Winning the Hotel Check-In Debate?

By Gustaaf Schrils, Vice President, Global Technology, Americas, IHG

 Summary:

This article is about keeping up with the times in the technology era. Regardless of tradition or hospitality for that matter. There has been a great debate throughout the hospitality industry about how to speed up the check-in and checkout process.

There have been discussions made by IHG hotels about having an app or a kiosk. Like everything else there have been many mixed reviews on it. Some reviews found that the kiosk cannot handle everything like a front desk person could do. The second major argument was the devices are very expensive and the upgrades needed to keep up with the competition offer challenges.

 Apps are another larger competitor in the hospitality industry. As they continue to grow both in numbers and sophistication, consumers have instant access to information. Apps are important links to customer service and support to.

 IHG recently piloted a real world application of OpenWays at two hotels, the hospitality industry's first mobile-based front desk bypass solution, which they are calling mobile room key. The purpose of the pilot was to test the OpenWays technology and see if it effectively provides hotel guests with check-in options. Guests choose whether they want to go right to their hotel room upon arrival by using their cell phone to open the door or check-in at the front desk and get a standard room key.

Guests today come from a business and lifestyle that demands things be simple, with no training needed. It is up to each hotel brand to work efficiently and effectively to capture the future hotel guests.

Reflection:

I think that this concept is rapidly approaching many hotels. I have yet to see one of these apps or kiosks but I knot they are on the rise. We are living in a technology-obsessed world right now. I think the sooner these hotel brands realize that and apply these innovative features they will see there room occupancy rise. 

I especially think that this is going to become extremely popular for the business travelers. These experienced travelers travel all week long and they don’t necessarily want to be bothered with a front desk clerk if they have been flying all day and have to prepare for a meeting in the morning.

I know that I have even noticed with the airlines offering apps where travelers can just show them their Smartphone with their ticket information on it and they are able to scan it right on the spot.

I am actually surprised that we have not seen this specific technology pop up more throughout hotels. I am looking forward to seeing these technology features rise in the upcoming year. 

http://hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/top-stories/Are-Smartphones-Winning-the-Hotel-Check-In-Debate-71375

2011 Technology Trends

2011 Guest Room Trends

Summary:  

This article is about the latest 2011 technology trends in the hospitality industry.  To find out the ever-changing technology trends in the hospitality industry Hospitality Technology asked a number of hotel executive. Some feedback they received was sustainability, in-room entertainment and mobility and of course the Ipad has been at the tip of every guests mouth.

Due to the recession sustainability has not been an easy accommodation that hotels can change to meet the needs of the guest. One thing that has been added to the rooms is the Energy Management Systems.

In room entertainment has been a major issue for many hotel brands. With Netflix covering 20 million people between Canada and the US. It makes it very hard for hotels to compete with this business that is coming right into the hotel room in the guests hands.  Some mention that over the top TV content maybe adding to the in room experience and they might make social networking available through your in room TV.

The major buzz for technology trends is Ipads in the rooms. The Plaza Hotel in New York City has had amazing results from adding this to each and everyone of their 282-room Hotel. The manager states they are running a more efficient and effective hotel with the help of the ipads. Where guests can request almost anything to their room through their handheld.

Reflection:

I absolutely love this article. Technology trends in the hospitality is very important that is one major aspect of your hotel that can separate you from your competition.  Technology is an ever-growing trend that will be around for many years to come. I think that they hotel that have a leg up on it will reap the benefits greatly.

Sustainability is a big trend that is coming about. The thing that is great about this trend is that it is not only helping the customer feel better about staying at your hotel but it also helps the environment and ultimately your bottom line. You will be spending less on the electric bill and moving those saving to marketing dollars.

I love the idea of the ipads in the rooms. Not only are you pleasing the guest by letting them have the opportunity to use them but they are also making dinner reservations at your hotel restaurant. They could even possibly order room service that they may not have done if they did not notice that fresh fish is offered tonight for a special rate.

The overall trends for 2011 sounds like the hotel executives are off to a great start with the trends. I am interested to see what is to come.

http://hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/top-stories/2011-Guestroom-Tech-Trends70778