The hotel of the future has just the right amount of tech

It’s no surprise that robots have chosen hotels to invade first—after all, in no other sector or building is service so highly valued and scrutinized. Whether it’s automating the check-in desk, bringing additional toiletries to the room or booking dinner reservations, digitally driven services and technology have altered the guest experience. But are guests ready for even more drastic changes? How much do they value human interaction over touch-of-a-button convenience? CallisonRTKL’s recent survey helps shed some light on how the hotel of the future might strike a balance between tech and the human touch.

Automation nation

CallisonRTKL recently unveiled the Hotel of the Future, a data- and insight-driven digital report that predicts the future of hospitality design and, specifically, how our hotels will help blend in with the surrounding neighborhood and become an extension of our homes when we’re away. Our follow-up survey of more than 320 travelers provided additional insight into guest preferences when it comes to food, amenities, technology, and more. Among some of the more interesting findings was a ranking of factors, in order of importance, that guests consider when booking a hotel:

• Security/privacy (79%)
• Front desk-check-in (34%)
• In-room technology (32%)
• Bar on-site (22%)
• Hotel app – mobile check-in, concierge (21%)

Additionally, the data show that while guests expect tech-integrated services—particularly when it comes to guest room controls—44% of guests would like to speak to a staff member during check-in, and 60% of us have more than a few hesitations about staying in a hotel entirely operated by robots. So while many hotels have gotten rid of the front desk in favor of mobile apps or kiosks intended to provide a more streamlined, efficient experience, they may want to reconsider just what type of welcome that really extends.

TECH LEVELS

The degree to which hotels have ventured into tech territory varies wildly, and the consensus seems to be that, while many will try, only a few may thrive.

Replacing Humans with Robots

The 100-room Henn na Hotel in Japan claims the spot of the world’s first hotel staffed by robots. Human staff are only deployed in emergency situations. Interesting in theory; however, guests have described interacting with the robots as “very much like talking to Siri’s younger, dumber sibling.” While Henn na Hotel has plans to open 100 more locations, it’s worth keeping in mind that if technology doesn’t work perfectly the first time, people quickly lose interest—no matter how much more “convenient” it purports to be.

Gamification & Real-time Guest Feedback

Marriott International opened “M Beta” at the Charlotte Marriott City Center, a prototype hotel that gathers guest feedback in real-time, enabling staff to immediately address problems or concerns. “Beta buttons” on walls and tables empower guests to weigh in on every aspect of their stay. These tools are key to Marriott’s innovation lab where it tests out new ideas to gear up for the next generation of guests who will soon make up the bulk of the market.

In-Room Tech & Multifunctionality

According to a 2017 study by Cornell University Center for Hospitality Research, 46% of hotel guests in the US travel with the intention of working out, but only 22% of travelers use hotel gyms. Some hoteliers are looking to close the gap by providing in-room workout space and digitally connected equipment for guests interested in maintaining their fitness routine while traveling. Hilton Hotels is among them, having recently debuted its Five Feet to Fitness concept—a collection of rooms offering premium gym equipment, such as indoor cycling bikes and functional training stations with weights, suspension ropes and pull-up bars. Each station includes a touchscreen display with video tutorials on how to safely use the equipment and a selection of workout videos.

PROGRAMMING THE PERFECT MIX

So, how does a hotel take advantage of all the cool tech tools out there without risking an impersonal or glitch-y guest experience? Here are a few pieces of advice:

1. All Ages Welcome - If the market is a mix of ages and demographics, it’s important to make sure any technology offered is user-friendly for every generation. Consider that mobile check-in or robot concierges may be easier for the younger digital native generation to adapt to, and don’t discount more senior guests who may not want their experience to be digitally driven.

2. Customer Service First

3. It’s not about replacing humans with robots; rather, it’s identifying those areas where technology can greatly improve the guest experience and minimize disruptions. If the technology is overly complicated or requires too much troubleshooting, then guests will still expect a human to assist. One should supplement, not replace, the other.

4. Real talk: we know that integrating or upgrading technology in hotels is costly. It’s vital that brands and developers optimize their square footage to find opportunities for additional revenue streams that can support necessary investment. Some hotels, for example, are decreasing the size of their kitchens or eliminating them altogether, alleviating the burden of providing all-day meal service and support staff. Instead, partnerships with local restaurants and star chefs offer opportunities to inject local flavor—literally—into the hotel’s dining space, freeing the hotel from offering costly, and underutilized, food and beverage services. Because in the hotel of the future, guests will have access to everything they might need without being charged for the things that they don’t.

5. Reduce Extras, Maximize Revenue