Hotels are evolving to meet the needs of today’s travelers by providing the latest guest services technology. In a recent SmartBrief whitepaper sponsored by The Wall Street Journal, 42% said Millennials are more focused on a hotel’s technology, and 35% cited self-serve check-in as the top guest-facing technology. As smart phones and tablets have become essential, hotels are moving beyond offering a mobile version of their website, and here’s how:
1. Adapting in-room entertainment to work seamlessly with mobile devices has been major shift for the industry. At the Aloft Cupertino in California, rooms feature a digital-media hub where guests can plug in their own devices to access media, such as stream music, through their in-room TV.
2. While some guests still enjoy reading the traditional printed daily newspaper, some prefer another option. The Wall Street Journal offers a product for hotels called The Wall Street Journal Digital Daily. At check-in, guests receive a custom URL and code so they can access WSJ Digital on any of their devices. The content is available in nine languages.
3. Some guests prefer interacting with their smartphones or tablets instead of hotel staff. Marriott Hotels & Resorts, which offers mobile check-in and checkout through its Android and iPhone app, allows guests to register as early as two hours before they arrive and receive a notification when their room is ready. At checkout, the app will e-mail guests a copy of the final bill, which is especially appealing to business travelers tracking expenses.
4. For meeting planners, Marriott’s new Red Coat Direct mobile app connects them with hotel staff to address needs such as adjusting the room temperature or ordering more coffee, all without leaving the room. The program also tracks response time and other metrics so hotels can better serve meeting attendees.
5. Oversize touch screens in central locations are another emerging innovation, such as the ones installed at the newly renovated Park Central Hotel in New York. Natalie Vachon, Park Central’s marketing manager, said the amenity was particularly useful for international travelers who choose to disable their smartphones and no longer have handheld access to the Internet.
About The Wall Street Journal
More than two million people read The Wall Street Journal every day, including travelers staying at your properties. With surprisingly affordable options, The Wall Street Journal, available in both print and digital editions, keeps your guests up-to-date on everything from global news to sports, travel, fashion and entertainment.
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