Hotel Check In/Out Technology

Are Smartphones Winning the Hotel Check-In Debate?

One of the great debates in the hospitality industry is how to speed up the check in/ check out process. Some hotels have used a check in/check out kiosks; which this technology was not really implemented. The kiosks have been surrounded with mixed reviews. The kiosks are very expensive, and need to be constantly upgraded in order to keep up with the changing industry. An app however may change all of this. Apps as we know are the new craze and are here to stay. Apps have tremendous potential, and provide great opportunity especially since the smart phone boom. The Airline industry already uses smartphone apps for check in.

Intercontinental Hotel Group piloted a real world application of OpenWays which was the first mobile based front desk bypass solution. It is basically a mobile room key. With this solution guests choose whether or not they want the traditional check in or use the mobile room key.  When guests make the hotel reservation they input their cell phone number into the reservation. They receive a number from the hotel to call when they arrive at their hotel room. The guest calls the number which the reservation recognizes the number thus emitting a sound which the door lock recognizes and opens the door. This technology is not truly an app based program but it is headed that way. This program will be tested more in the second half 2011.

Reflection

I am not one who minds to have to check in and check out of a hotel. I am not a true business traveler anyway. I like to go to the front desk and interact with the front desk staff. You can get a feel for how the hotel will be from the people that are at the front desk. This is one of your first impressions of the hotel, and one of the first people you interact with.  I guess that a true business traveler may want some kind of bypass of the front desk, or a traveler checking in late at night who just wants to go to their room. 

I do feel that this technology is coming, and coming soon. Airlines already have mobile apps for ticketing. With all the security surrounding airlines I feel that hotels will be soon to follow. The security pertaining to people’s personal information is a major concern. I do like technology and apps so I look forward to someday using this.

Are Smartphones Winning the Hotel Check-In Debate? 

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

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

Posted Date: 3/15/2011

2011 Guestroom Trends

2011 Guestroom Trends

          The 2011 guestroom tends  are very getting very interesting; green room technology is picking up steam, television content with the addition of up to date movies and the removal of adult pay per view, integrating the guests cell phone, and the addition of iPads. Now most of these trends are starting in the higher level hotels but it is a start and some of these benefits will begin to trickle down to the lesser hotels.

Green technology is something that is here to stay. The environment and trying to conserve natural resources not only saves the hotel money but it also saves the environment. Over the past few years with hotel revenues down these changes might not have been accomplishes as fast as some would have liked but they are happening. Implementing these ideas and technologies will help the hotel save money but also attract people to stay in their property.

          The entertainment center and television is an area that probably sees the most changes in a hotel. Guest entertainment is a top priority, and has a direct link to guest satisfaction. Adding Netflix for up to date on demand movies would be a plus as well as deleting the adult pay per view. Offering adult pay per view probably costs the hotel more money than they actually make in revenue from their purchases. Removing them also appeals to the traveling family.

          Hotels are beginning to be able to integrate the use of a guest cellular phone into their hotel stay. There is technology beginning to be used that will allow a guest to skip official check in and go straight to their hotel room. Guests will receive an email which will allow them to enter their guestroom using the cellular phone as the room key. The cellular phone will emit a signal that will unlock the door. Business travelers and guests with kids will love this new technology trend. 

         iPads are starting to be used all over the hospitality industry; restaurants as instant up to date menu’s with ordering and payment features, to front desk usages for staff, and now up to the guestroom to be used for requests, climate control, food ordering etc. The iPad usage also allows the hotel to track hotel efficiency which in turn effects guest satisfaction. High guest satisfaction will raise revenues.

Reflection

         These guestroom trends are really cool. As someone who loves technology I look forward to being able to use these soon. Green technology is something that benefits everyone, it is unfortunate that we have had hard economic times so most hotels have had to delay some modifications but as the times get better we will see more green technology being implemented. Green technology not only will save the hotel money but it will help save the environment. This is a win win situation.

          Integrating the use of my cell phone is really neat. I look forward to being able to use my cell phone in conjunction with my hotel stay or being issued an iPad in my hotel room. These technological trends will increase revenue and draw more business travelers who are looking for these added benefits. The hotel efficiency will be improved, and an efficient hotel means better customer service, and more repeat business. 

Posted On: 3/3/2011 

2011 Guestroom Tech Trends By Christina Volpe, Associate Editor

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