Recent upgrades in in-room technology gives customers a taste of what they want most in their lodging experience: control.

The bottom line shows that guests who are connected through their personal smart phones, laptops, e-readers expect the same level of amenities while travelling for business or vacation. This expectation locks hotels into a competitive ring, each striving to outdo each other in guest services. The Park Plaza Hotel in New York City recently decided to provide each hotel room with an iPad, featuring a virtual concierge for each guest. This type of amenity affirms the “wow” factor when guests walk into each suite.
Since the tech world has hit a plateau and costs have dropped significantly, gadgets that were once showcased in high-end or boutique hotels are now being added to a wider range of hotels. According to Cihan Cobanoglu, associate professor of hospitality information technology at the University of Delaware, “hotels, now, understand the importance of technology, not just as a cost factor, but as a strategic enabler.” To keep up with this critical branch of the market, it is essential that hoteliers upgrade their in-room technology.

Best-in-Class Guest Room Interactive Services feature:

• High-speed interactive service that provides guests with real-time connection
• Intuitive interface offering a broad selection of services and customization capabilities
• Flexibility in structuring and programming automated functions providing guests with the ability to control settings directly through hardware interfaces, such as on-demand television and iPads.

Top Considerations before Buying Guest Room Interactive Services:

The “wow” factor is a key player determining a guest’s experience, so search for technologies that give customers an interactive interface during their stay. Current offers include software and hardware that promotes wireless connectivity, high-speed internet, concierge services, movie databases, as well as, programs that connect the guest to the hotel mainframe to check scheduling, programs and dining options. 

Key Providers:

1. Prior to installing sophisticated technologies for your clients, the first step is providing wireless access points for guests. T-zone WiFi is a dynamic and fast growing company based in Bend, Oregon that offers flexibility in selecting billed or free WiFi services at an affordable price for your clients. Automatically direct customers to your hotel’s landing page by having direct connection to your network. Depending on the system that bests works for your organization, provide either free internet access or billable WiFi to allow them to browse the internet freely.

2. Consider Roomlinx’s Media and Entertainment system to boost your guest’s in-room experience. This streaming interface includes free-to-guest television, web content, high-definition content and specific hotel information through interactive buttons. Intuitive navigation keeps guest abreast of hotel features and services. Roomlinx utilizes third party contractors to install their hardware and software and as of December 31, 2009, software was installed in 118 hotels and 18,779 guest and meeting rooms.

3. Intelity’s ICE software provides guests with total control of their stay. From the first minute they enter their reserved room a digital media interface greets them and explains the features and benefits of the hotel. Interactive in-room concierge showcases amenities with an intuitive touch screen monitor, to which they may order food, buy tickets for events, place reservations and stroll through an online shopping guide to plan their excursions. Once the interaction occurs, ICE provides a real-time interface of all guest and service requests to each staff member responsible for this department. Intelity is headquartered in Orlando and is an interactive hospitality software solution company focused on the self-service marketplace.

4. Control4 Suite offers complete control over room environments in which every item in the room can be remotely adjusted. Imagine your guests tired from a long day of excursions or conferences. With one controller, guests may turn on the TV, surf the web, set their alarm clock, access the bar, shut the blinds, dim the lights, turn on music and request room service. Simplicity is key, and this solution provides just that. John Bollen, vice president of technology at the MGM Mirage recently installed the Control4 hotel room device at the new ARIA at CityCenter. "I want to give guests the capability to check the weather, access news feeds from their local market, even read the local paper. That's the type of interaction that we want to bring into the guest room."

Guest Room Interactive Services
Definition: Guest Room Interactive Services refer to a variety of in-room services available to guests of a hotel, resort or other lodging facility. Examples of Interactive Services include high-speed internet, digital entertainment.