NATIONAL REPORT—With the recent press conference debuting Apple’s new smartwatch (set to make its first appearance April 24), hotel brands are readying their offerings. Brands like Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Accor have announced plans to launch apps for the Apple Watch.
According to Accor, the Accorhotels iOS app will be available starting at the end of April. Romain Roulleau, Accor’s SVP e-commerce and director of the “mobile first” program, stated, “By launching the Accorhotels application for Apple Watch, Accor is establishing itself as a leading digital hospitality player. The policy is part of the group’s digital plan that aims to align with the changeover to new mobile practices. Accor is keeping up with consumer demand by embracing the era of connected wearables and is providing guests with a value-added service before, during and after their stay.”
The Accorhotels app for Apple Watch will be available in 10 languages and will work in connection with the smartphone app. In addition to promoting hotels and destinations, the app will allow users to manage current bookings. With the app, Accorhotels customers will be able to receive alerts telling them the online check-in service is open; access information about their bookings: arrival date, number of nights, number of guests; receive information about the hotel’s services; access the interactive map, including the hotel’s location and the local weather forecast; and access Le Club Accorhotels loyalty card details, including status and loyalty points.
For its part, Starwood noted it would also be ready when the Apple Watch becomes available on April 24th. According to a statement released by the company, “In a mobile world, people increasingly expect their technology to help them do whatever they need to do on the spot. Apple Watch allows us to engage with our guests in the moment like never before with a glance at their wrist. The SPG App for Apple Watch is designed to respond to the in-stay needs of our guests from mobile check in, to opening their guestroom door, to providing information like the hotel address, room number, confirmation numbers, directions and SPG account information.”
In addition, Marriott International, Inc. will become the first global hospitality company to offer Apple Pay with a phased introduction this summer in the U.S. Guests using Apple Pay at check-in will bring their iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus or soon, Apple Watch, near the contactless reader at the front desk. When their device responds with a subtle vibration and beep, the payment information has been securely captured. There will be no need to provide a credit card upon check-in.
“Approximately 75% of our guests travel with one or more mobile devices, and it is even higher among 25-35 year olds—a group that will make up a much larger proportion of our guests over the next three years,” said George Corbin, SVP, Marriott Digital. “Millions of customers already use Marriott Mobile to quickly book a hotel, check-in, or check out. Now, Apple Pay can make it virtually effortless.”
Marriott Rewards members who also carry the loyalty program’s cobranded credit card can load it into Apple Pay and designate it as their primary card, earning Marriott Rewards points every time they use Apple Pay at thousands of retailers.
Marriott expects to start rolling out Apple Pay this summer beginning at these 11 hotels: The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park; The Ritz-Carlton Washington D.C.; EDITION Miami; JW Marriott Chicago; Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel; San Francisco Marriott Marquis; San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront; New York Marriott Downtown; Courtyard Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile; San Jose Marriott; Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. Live; and Residence Inn Los Angeles L.A. Live.