Electronic 'Smarts' at Hotels Attract Guests - NYTimes.com - 0 views
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Hotels around the world are using technology in new ways, with the goal of speeding up or personalizing more services for guests.
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Instead of the staff at the front desk offering advice on where to go for dinner, guests may be lent an iPad loaded with maps and suggestions for local restaurants and sightseeing.
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Ms. O’Reilly said she also used Foursquare to share where she was by “checking in” at that location. She was recently surprised to discover as she was checking in at a Starwood hotel that she qualified for a Foursquare promotion and received 250 points for her Starwood loyalty program account.
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Some technology offerings extend beyond the hotel’s walls. The Park Hyatt Tokyo rents guests a pocket-size mobile Wi-Fi connector to use with an iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry or laptop to make international calls and get Internet access wherever they go during their stay.
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Despite all the new bells and whistles, sometimes the most basic of the modern services is what counts the most. Guests’ No. 1 choice of a hotel amenity is free Wi-Fi, according to a 2012 Hotels.com survey.
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This article focuses on the "smart" trends in hotels that are replacing the human service. In this article David-Michael Davies does make a good point about "technology as a substitute for human hospitality" Now days hotels are focusing on having the latest technology that it could be seen as if they are forgetting the human service in the hotels. Though, I do agree with Barbara Kahn, that "most guest, especially younger ones who are used to having information at their fingertips…l" However, hotels are still focusing in personalization and making their guest feel like they care about them and not just their money. In my opinion, it is wonderful that hotels are focusing on being up to date with all the technology that is being offered to hotels because it does simplify the whole experience of staying in a hotel and at the same time it saves money for the hotel. Like they mentioned in the article, hotels are saving money by using technology to manage their inventory instead of having employees physically counting them. Specially, when the technology being adopted in the hotels can help safe money for guest. Just like The Park Hyatt Tokyo helps their guest with saving money with international calls. Furthermore, hotels are adding more advantages to being connected with them through social media. by offering promotions, discounts and even free drinks if you tag, check-in or write about them. This type of telecommunication is growing every day, but hotels should remember that the most basic modern service is important for the guest. Free Wi-Fi is a most for almost everybody now days.