As technology continues to infiltrate every aspect of our lives, the hospitality industry is recognizing new ways to capitalize on technology to provide a better guest experience and increase staff productivity behind the scenes. Analyzing hotel technology trends in 2014 suggests that both large hotel chains and boutique hotels are examining and implementing mobile strategies to bring their hotel into the digital age.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When almost every guest who walks through your doors has a smartphone, and your staff is also equipped with smartphones, the possibilities for technology become quite exciting. Hotels everywhere are recognizing this, and finding creative ways to use mobile phones to their advantage. Here are a few trends we\u2019ve noticed:<\/p>\n
1. Better, Faster WiFi<\/strong>: According to a report by Hotel Executive<\/a>, the \u201caverage speed of a residential broadband connection is 5.1 Mbps\u201d, while most 150 room hotels provide a standard 10 Mbps, \u201cwhich would only deliver 1.4 Mbps per concurrent user – or just a fraction of what guests are accustomed to at home\u201d. As more guests are traveling with more devices, tablets, and computers that require more bandwidth, hotels are investing in better WiFi networks and infrastructure for their guests. Faster, more reliable WiFi is also beneficial for hotel management and staff alike as it can streamline onsite communications, increase associate productivity and communication, and even enable managers to provide new services.<\/p>\n 2. More Automated Services<\/strong>: From check-in to room service, to requesting more towels, the availability of automated guest services is becoming increasingly popular. When offered, over 85% of guests use online service requests for room service to housekeeping. Additionally, the same poll<\/a> showed that, 91% of guests said they either checked in, or would check in using an automated kiosk. As guests are able to perform more and more tasks everyday with the swipe of a finger, they will be expecting to do the same in their hotel room.<\/p>\n 3. “Smart” Room Keys<\/strong>: Hotels are increasingly working towards allowing guests to use their smartphones to unlock the doors to their rooms. \u00a0According to reports<\/a>, Hilton is looking to make this feature available at most of the company\u2019s hotels worldwide by the end of 2016. This comes as great news for hotel staff and guests alike as staff will not be required to issue room keys, and guests won\u2019t need to worry about losing their keys or stopping by the front desk upon check in before heading up to their room.<\/p>\n