Frank Harrison, President of Health-E-Media, on Hospitality

Technology is becoming an increasingly prominent feature in boosting guest hospitality at hotels. Of course, technology does not replace human hospitality, but can be used instead to supplement it. Technology can enhance human reception and interaction by providing a level of immediacy, efficiency, and convenience for hotel guests.

Here are a couple of examples as to how hotels are using technology to boost their hospitality and ability to cater efficiently to guest’s needs.

Create a Concierge Mobile App

By using mobile apps you are giving guests around-the-clock and low energy options to fulfill all of their basic needs with just the tap of a finger. For instance, there can be a simple click button for requesting more bath towels or pillows or even labeling the room “do not disturb” without having to leave the room. This option also provides space for readily available information on guest and pool services and additionally can offer the opportunity for a 24/7 connection with a hotel help-desk employee to be accessible for all other needs.

Employ Voice Command Technology

Voice command technology, of similar type and function to the Amazon Alexa and Amazon Echo, goes hand-in-hand with having a mobile map to provide information and seamless accessibility functions. This type of technology can also be arranged so guests can access and control functions of the room—such as lowering the lights, turning down the heat, or drawing a bath—without having to perform the task themselves.

Provide a Mobile Room Key

Providing the option for room keys that are not physical, but instead can be stored in a mobile app or wallet, can significantly increase guest convenience and accessibility. Additionally, it detracts from the worry of accidentally losing the room key, and it is an easy fix to the problem of having fewer room keys per room than you have guests. This option negates the need to carry around an extra object as well, and it instead makes the key accessible from a platform that people already carry around.

In addition to these conveniences, having a mobile room key instead of a plastic card is also good for the environment and will—on a small scale, but one that undoubtedly adds up—save money for the hotel.

Install Lights and Air Conditioning Sensors

Providing lights and air conditioning sensors eliminates the negative customer experience of having to fumble around for the light switch the first time in the room or the bathroom in the dark. It also provides a pleasant and hospitable experience on a hot summer day, to have the air conditioning automatically turn on when they enter the room, or to have the lights turn themselves on if a guest is returning to the room with their hands full.

About Frank Harrison

Frank Harrison is a tenured business professional with several years of executive experience. Utilizing his experience, Frank Harrison has found a great deal of success in a variety of industries, ranging from marketing to finance and management. Currently, Frank Harrison serves in the healthcare industry as the president of Health-E-Media.