Hotels take to wearable technology
by Leon Gettler
Wearable technology is now coming to the hotel industry.
Starwood Hotels for example has created an app that will unlock 30,000 of its recently upgraded rooms of its hotels. All customers have to do is wave a smartwatch in front of the door.
The technology also allows them to make mobile payments.
Using Bluetooth technology, it provides for notifications, ordering items and loyalty programs. It’s all there on the wrists of customers.
Hilton Worldwide Holdings is rolling out a similar program at its US hotels. It plans to deploy the keys across 11 brands globally including DoubleTree, Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites and the Waldorf Astoria.
Westin Hotels has taken a different approach.
Hotel guests arriving at the Westin can borrow sleep sensing wristbands to help with their well-being and relaxation. The wristbands track sleep patterns and provide virtual coaching.
Walt Disney World Resort relies on the “MagicBand”. It grants these to guests to give them access to the theme park and make purchases. Disney of course is in a position to aggregate date from these bands.
The Spanish hotel chain, the Palladium Group provides high tech wristbands at its hotels on the Spanish island of Ibiza. They allow guests access rooms, pay for meals and shop using an assigned PIN code.
22nd February 2016
