10 Ways Technology Can Help Create The Ultimate Hotel Experience

For many of us, modern technology has been seamlessly integrated into our lives and brings convenience to our every day. In fact, the tech industry makes up 35% of the total world market and its growth is not looking to slow down any time soon.

Hotels are no exception when it comes to innovation. As travelers seek added convenience when they are on the move, hotels are having to find new ways to keep up with the trends and utilize new technologies.

In this article, we explore ten ways that technology is reshaping the industry to provide an unforgettable guest experience.

1. Augmented Reality

The global augmented reality (AR) market is projected to grow at an annual growth rate of 40.9% until 2030, becoming more and more used across various industries.

Many hotels are beginning to utilize the power of AR to create immersive virtual tours that guests can use before booking. Allowing them to look around the rooms, hotel amenities, and surrounding areas, this feature can give hotels a competitive advantage during the guests’ decision-making process as it helps to show off the hotel in an engaging way.

Premier Inn has started to explore the capabilities of AR in its London hotels, creating interactive maps that help guests explore from their mobile phones.

Image source: LinkedIn

2. Contactless Check-In/Out

Integrating contactless solutions with hotel POS (point of sale) systems enhances operational efficiency across the board.

Contactless technology revolutionizes the check-in and check-out process, creating a more convenient and seamless experience that minimizes the need for physical interactions.

This approach is a great way for hotels to manage busy periods without the need for more staff at the front desk. It also means guests are able to avoid long queues as they handle the formalities on their own.

Housekeeping procedures also become more streamlined as these technologies provide real-time notifications when a guest checks out, allowing staff to prepare the room for the next arrival.

3. Virtual Room Keys

To maximize convenience for guests upon arrival to the hotel, a virtual room key speeds up the process and avoids the admin that comes with lost key cards.

Guests can simply use their smartphones to access their rooms, avoiding the need to search for a physical key and reducing security risks.

The Hilton uses a contactless key system which users can access through a mobile app. After booking, guests can use the app to check in, select their room, and access their key after check-in time, also being able to share it with their travel companions.

Image source: Fortune

4. Digital Tipping

In the US, 60% of people say they make few to no purchases with cash, nearly double the 32% saying they did so five years ago.

With the norm of carrying cash starting to dwindle as the years go by, the tipping culture within hotels is starting to change.

Digital tipping is beginning to be introduced in hotels, allowing guests to show their gratitude via their smartphone should they wish to. This method also allows the tips to be fairly distributed as the user can gift their tip to either an individual, department, or the entire workforce.

The introduction of digital tipping is expected to have a notable impact on the hotel industry, boosting staff morale and improving the fairness of tip distribution.

5. Security Technologies

When traveling, safety and security are paramount. To provide guests with peace of mind that their safety is taken very seriously, there are a range of technologies that hotels can implement.

Surveillance systems and real-time monitoring should be present at all hotel facilities, strategically placing them in a way that comprehensively covers all common areas, entrances, and exits.

Biometric authentication is also a method that can be used to ensure only registered guests can enter a hotel building, whether that be facial recognition or fingerprint scanners.

6. In-Room Tablets

In-room tablets allow guests to take control of their stay at the click of a button.

The interface provides access to information that guests may need during their stay, whether that be room service, entertainment options, or information on the local area.

The Hazelton Hotel offers a tablet in each room which offers access to every on-site service as well as room controls. From booking spa treatments and viewing the pillow menu to scheduling a babysitter and buying event tickets, the technology helps elevate the guest experience.

Image source: eHotelier

7. Guest Messaging

Creating an open communication platform between the hotel and guests, a guest messaging system can be implemented to help improve customer satisfaction.

Guests are able to communicate with the hotel using platforms they are already familiar with, such as WhatsApp or SMS, using the hotel’s landline number should they have any queries.

This system also allows the hotel to communicate with guests, using automated messages to welcome them to the hotel and provide information on their stay.

Hotels are able to automate responses to frequently asked questions that may be sent from guests, such as check-out times or amenity usage, taking a lot of pressure off front-desk staff and providing efficient responses that don’t require the guests to even leave their room.

8. Staff Training Programs

By utilizing technology to train a workforce, hotels are able to standardize their training program and keep all staff up to date on any new information.

Through an online platform, interactive content can be created which may include quizzes at the end of each chapter, multiple-choice questions based on procedures, and official documents that require online signatures.

Video simulations of realistic scenarios are a particularly effective tool, visually teaching employees how to deal with situations such as conflicts and emergencies.

Image source: Lingio

9. Voice Activated Technology

About 65% of people aged 25-49 use voice-enabled devices at least once a day. Voice assistants are commonly found in homes nowadays, being able to control household appliances or link to other internet-connected devices.

Hotels can improve the guest experience by implementing voice-activated technologies within the rooms. Elements that guests want to personalize, such as adjusting the thermostat, turning the lights on/off, and controlling the blinds, can be done so through voice commands.

By maximizing comfort and convenience through modern capabilities, a hotel is creating a memorable stay that can benefit its reputation.

10. High-Speed Internet

90% of travelers consider hotel WiFi access to be very important during their stay, yet many hotels fail to provide a sufficient connection.

Although WiFi is a standard expectation during a hotel stay, a poor internet connection can single-handedly lead to poor reviews and unhappy guests.

Some hotels provide designated coworking areas and charging stations equipped with the latest technology, appealing to visitors on business trips or freelance workers who need to work during their stay.

What’s Next For The Hotel Industry?

As technology evolves, the hotel experience continues to grow and change the guest experiences as we know it. By catering to the needs of the modern traveler, a hotel can stay competitive in such a saturated market.

From in-room tablets and voice-activated technology to digital tipping and virtual room keys, these advancements help to create a positive guest experience that in turn helps boost a hotel’s reputation.