How to Pick a Tech-Savvy Hotel

Welcome to the digital age, where technology is woven like a thread in every aspect of your life. Imagine your life without smartphones, tablets, laptops, internet connectivity, and tons of other smart solutions prevalent today. It’s mind-boggling and, well, unimaginable. Technology has transcended into the bounds of hospitality, with more and more hotels ramping up their products and services to meet the needs of their guests. Here are some tips on how to pick a tech-savvy hotel.

Reputation

Reputation, whether online or offline, matters when it comes to the hospitality industry. Yet, today a hotel’s online reputation is pivotal. More and more customers, be it vacationers, business travellers, event planners, or invitees, rely on social media reviews to determine their choice of accommodation. As a result, many hotels today have special teams to look into their online reviews and respond to unfavourable ones with an apology and comprehensive feedback.

Customer reviews also help you get an idea of the hotel’s service, amenities, and experiences. Although hotels may market their products and services as state-of-the-art, a guest’s actual experience will attest to the veracity of such statements. So, be sure to check a hotel’s online reputation via travel reviews, social media posts to determine whether it’s worth your while.

Hotel bookings made easy

Gone are the days when bookings were made by either visiting the hotel’s corporate office in person or by telephone. With today’s technological development and fast-paced, busy lifestyles, hardly anyone has the luxury to do this. Hence, online bookings were introduced. Today, a guest can simply book a hotel with a few simple clicks from their smartphone or another device.

Many hotel chains and brands, including Discover ASR, have developed comprehensive websites detailing their properties, services, facilities, and policies. Additionally, booking sites such as booking.com and hotels.com also feature detailed information about properties. Some even provide virtual tours of rooms and hotel spaces. When choosing a tech-savvy hotel, pick one that makes your life easier by offering online/mobile booking facilities.

Convenient experiences

The check-in process can be arduous, particularly when you arrive and find a busload of tourists thronging the reception area. Don’t you wish you could just check in with the click of a button and go straight to your room? Well, at a tech-savvy hotel, you can. Mobile check-in is rapidly becoming global. Accommodation options worldwide recognise this as a growing need among their guests, with some hotels offering mobile check-in and check-out options as well as electronic kiosks.

Yet, the promise of convenient experiences does not stop here. Many hotels have now introduced keyless room entry, mainly using your smartphone. Keycard entry will soon be a thing of the past as well. Some hotels have surpassed expectations by introducing robot-operated room service, a virtual concierge, and robot-operated luggage storage. Guests are treated to a quirky robot who delivers room service, a digital concierge reminiscent of a scene from a sci-fi movie, and a robot that stores your luggage. While many hotels are still reaching this level of advancement, knowing there are options like this helps when picking suitable tech-savvy accommodation.

Strong connectivity

Wi-Fi is perhaps one of your topmost requirements when choosing a hotel. It is what helps you stay connected. Many hotels offer Wi-Fi, but how will you know if it is effective? This is where reviews come in handy. Find hotels that have been rated as having a solid Wi-Fi connection across the hotel. Browse through sites dedicated to ranking hotel Wi-Fi services. Remember, without a good and free Wi-Fi connection, your stay is likely to be less convenient or hassle-free.

Smart amenities

A truly tech-savvy hotel provides a host of smart amenities. Some of the more popular facilities include in-room iPads, smartphone apps, or voice assistants to control the room’s lighting and temperature. Some in-room iPads serve as a messenger service allowing you to request room necessities or place room service orders. A smart television featuring Netflix is also a popular feature.

Some upscale hotels offer state-of-the-art smart solutions such as a digital bathroom screen to control the water pressure and temperature of the shower. Others feature a hi-tech shower glass that can change from clear to opaque with a simple touch or heated bathroom/room floors. Luxury suites go a step further, offering an in-room wine dispenser, a surround-sound system, and a virtual golf course. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a tech-savvy hotel, find one that offers innovative amenities along the lines of those listed above.