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What is a smart hotel and how does it benefit the traveller and hotel owners?

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One of the fastest rising trends in the hospitality industry is the rise of the smart hotel and interactive hotel amenities. Self-service kiosks and simple POS solutions are leading the way in this move towards technologically enhanced hospitality.

Author

Rosie Ellis

Published

09/01/21

Insitu Intergrator Pro 15 Interactive kiosk for hotel

What is a Smart Hotel?

A smart hotel utilises internet-connected devices, often referred to as the Internet of Things, which can communicate with one another, offering a completely seamless experience for the guest and a manageable and powerful business model for the hotel owner.

Seemingly ‘ordinary’ appliances and amenities, such as lighting, the mini fridge and heating, can all be connected to one device or network for the guest to manage and utilise at their leisure.

This connectivity can all be controlled from a single point, such as a hotel room kiosk or remote control. Plus, customer service can be offered via information from the internet, displayed on the tablet.

Why should all hotels consider becoming a Smart Hotel?

Integrating technology into the traditional hotel experience benefits both the hotel owners and the traveller.

Kiosk technology can lower operational costs, make life easier for staff and ensure a quick and accurate flow of information through the hotel systems, insure all data is correct and instantaneous. This is invaluable for customer service requests/issues and for data capture and analysis.

For the customer, their experience is heightened by the efficiency of check-in and check-out processes and the ease of accessing important or helpful information. They can also personalise aspects of their stay and hotel room, to make it exactly to their preference.

4 things to expect when checking into a smart hotel

1 Easy and efficient check-in and check-out

A check-in kiosk allows a customer to check in and out of the their stay at all hours. This is perfect for those needing to arrive or leave due to flights at unsociable hours. Integrated key-drop boxes can be installed for room key issuing or key drops on exist if the hotel is not using a smart key.

These kiosks can free up staff for in-person customer service and other tasks around the hotel.

Additionally, the screens on the kiosk can be used to display offers, services and excursions provided by the hotel to upsell the customer then and there, encouraging more impulse purchases. The screens can also show helpful information, common FAQs, taxi booking services and the option to request further customer service.

2 Smart keys

Many hotels now might utilise a ‘smart key.’ This may be a unique QR code or barcode for an integrated scanner on the door to scan to allow entry, or it could be a card, bracelet or any item that can be ‘read’ by a door NFC reader.

There are endless ways to create a ‘key’ just using scanners, contactless readers and just a smart-phone.

3 Kiosk room service

In-room kiosks can be used to order room service, extra amenities and book taxis or trips easily and quickly. This enhances customer the customer experience massively, and even the novelty alone can increase purchases by quantity and amount spent.

The mini bar can also be managed by the kiosk with an integrated POS system either on the kiosk or mini-bar itself to purchase extra drinks and snacks.

This also makes life easier for staff, as the orders can be communicated instantaneously and automatically ordered and organised for ease of execution for the staff. Some actions can even be organised without any staff intervention at all. Stock can also be updated automatically.

These systems are also invaluable for hotel owners, marketing, operational and sales teams as it provides to the minute insight on consumer activity and stock.

6 Personalise the room

The touchscreen tablet kiosk can also be used to personalise the room for ultimate comfort for the guest. The lighting, heating, TV, music/speakers and even curtains and blinds can all be powered by the one control point.

This considerably enhances the customer experience and will inevitably reduce customer service requests and/or complaints.

Benefits of Smart Hotels

Efficient Check-in and Check-Out

Touchscreen or touchless kiosks with integrated key drop boxes can be used to ensure smooth check in and out for guests, 24/7.

A Personalised Experience

The hotel guest can personalise their hotel room from one control point, for ultimate comfort and experience.

Data-driven insight

The connected devices allow a constant stream of up-to-date data for quick and simple stock checks and invaluable insight for analysis.

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Request a call with an account manager, make a general enquiry, or download our brochure for more information on our visitor management software. If you’d like to speak to us straight away, call UK: 01202 892863 or USA: +1 877 450 2172. We look forward to hearing from you!