Technology is always evolving and impacting the way businesses work with customers. The hospitality industry is leading the way for many other companies to keep up with their smart business technology. This way, hotel owners are able to reach better profits and bring customers back in while even saving money. We’ve got a few ways that hospitality technology can keep customers coming to your hotel.
Smart Energy Management
Smart energy is in many people’s homes today. They don’t have to think about manually switching the thermostat on or worrying about the temperature in the home. Smart thermostats and occupancy sensors work to monitor the different fluctuations in your occupancy. They use algorithms to analyze local weather patterns and even peak demand loads. They use this to optimize energy consumption. Guests like that they don’t have to mess with the thermostat the entire time they are at your hotel. They can digitally change or set the temperature if needed, then go about their business. This saves the hotel money while decreasing the hassle for the guests.
Mobile Room Keys
Room keys have gone from the keys you had to cut out with a machine making sure each fit perfectly in the lock to the little magnetic key you place in front of a keypad. Now, all of the physical keys can be thrown in the trash replaced with a mobile room key. Guests can get in their room via a smartphone app. This saves money and keeps you from having to print the environmentally harmful plastic keycards. You no longer need to handle the keycard inventory either. Guests don’t have to worry about losing their key or leaving it in the room. They get to come and go with the click of an app.
Room Service Apps
Apps are where technology is these days. The guests have everything they need right at their fingertips. Besides a mobile app key, an app can help guests with room service. There’s an online menu so you don’t even have to waste your time with the plastic menus that always need cleaning. Make a QR code so everything is easy to access and everyone wins. The guest can even track their order.
Check In Process
The airlines made it so easy to check in with technology. Hotels should be able to do the same. Guests can check in on their phone or computer. They can ensure all of their information is correct, select the room and amenities they prefer then pay all electronically. It takes the stress out of the check-in experience. This also helps front desk professionals free themselves up to give service to other guests.
Concierge
Guests can feel more in control with a concierge in their pocket. You’re personalizing their experience, and they’re reaping the benefits. When you develop an app and integrate it int your business, you’re able to touch that customer’s needs and demands. You can place climate control and room service right there. Your staff isn’t rushing around trying to make sure everyone is happy. They’re able to sit back and address concerns as they come. Customers love the personal touch.
Voice Controlled Rooms
Some hotels are turning technology up all the way. Some are implementing technologies like the Amazon Echo to boost customer benefits. With this type of technology’s voice assistance, guests are able to control the temperature, lighting, television, and even the curtains.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is becoming the norm in everything from entertainment to marketing these days. It can redefine a customer’s experience by giving them crucial information without even having to leave the comfort of their room. A VR info desk might be attached to an artificial intelligence concierge app that gives a guide to events, locations and helpful hints. A VR booth can also give a tour of the hotel’s amenities and attractions. This booth could even go into tours of local cafes, beaches, shops, and museums.
Chat-Based Solutions
Chat-based solutions are a great way to engage with potential customers. Chatbots or conversational bots give clients a way to interact quickly without waiting for answers. They’re built into the latest AI devices. They understand questions and give quick, proper solutions. They learn automatically without the need for humans. This means your guests don’t even need to download any special apps as they browse your website because their questions are answered in real time.
Robots
Remember the “Jetsons” cartoon? It’s come to life in some hotels. Robots can actually clean rooms and even staff a front desk. A butler can deliver items to guests throughout the day and night. If someone needs an extra toothbrush, send out the robot butler. In some hotels, a robot is able to store bags as a luggage concierge. Robots cannot take over all of the jobs in a hotel because you would lose that personal touch. They just help in ways that free up humans to do the personal connections instead of all of the manual labor.
Guest Wristbands
Resorts like Disney World and Great Wolf Lodge made the guest wristband technology popular. Instead of carrying around keys and tickets, the wristband is loaded with information. It can include credit card info, tickets and room information. The wristbands make it easy for guests to have access to anything they may need while at the hotel.
Facial Recognition Software
Facial recognition software is making it even easier to get guests into the rooms. Instead of waiting in line, guests are able to scan their face on a kiosk. This shortens the check-in and checkout time.
Located-Based Services
This enables marketing and technology in one swoop. Location based services means a guest may be at a hotel bar when they receive a notification on their phone about a deal on food or drinks. The hotel staff may be alerted to a guest’s preferences based on where they spend their time in the hotel. This can also be used to alert guests to local events and activities.
Advances in hospitality technology will leave guests with an easier, more pleasurable trip to your hotel. In the future, we will see hotel properties using many different varieties of smart technology. This will help reduce operational costs while increasing the guest experience.
