Around the world, thousands of lavish five-star hotels welcome a new cohort of affluent guests by the day, tempting them in with high-end luxury amenities including infinity pools, Michelin-star restaurants and private butler service. It’s a tried and tested formula that invariably keeps them coming back for more, and one that has always been successful – but in today’s ever-changing world, as we move well and truly into the digital age, is it always going to be enough?
Some of the largest and best-known high-end hotel chains across the globe aren’t resting on their laurels, and already, we’re seeing them make moves to embrace the latest technological innovations in a bid to keep guests engaged and most importantly, impressed. Today’s wealthy traveller is more discerning than ever, and demands that the latest and greatest technology is integrated into each and every stay they book. Here are some of the top tech trends we’re currently seeing in the world’s finest luxury hotels, and which we can expect to continue gathering momentum in 2022.
Digital screens
Modern digital sign software producers like kitcast.tv are having to diversify their utilities and tools in a big way because hotels are finding more and more uses for their digital signs. Retail stores may have started the digital signs trends, but hotels are being the most creative with how they use them – from practicalities like displaying availability, to showcasing the lavish experience they offer in the foyer to excite newly arrived guests.
And they’re functional, too. We’re also seeing them used to display food and drink menus for diners to order from, to pay their bills, and to book excursions and adventures whilst on holiday. It’s a trend that gained massive momentum during the Covid-19 pandemic, when human contact had to be kept to a minimum, and because of its ability to free up staff to focus on other important tasks, it seems digital screens are here to stay for the long-haul.
Voice control
Image credit: Chisi/Bigstock.com
Increasingly, we’re seeing the inclusion of smart hubs in rooms and suites in order to elevate the guest experience in high-end hotels, allowing them to control everything from the lighting to the air conditioning and entertainment systems all in one place. But now, the adoption of voice control technology is up-levelling the experience even further, and means that guests don’t even have to be close to the hub itself to tweak the current set-up.
This is particularly useful for those staying in large, multi-room suites – and let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than getting into bed only to realise the light switch is all the way over by the door, so eradicating the issue of having to get up again when you’re just about ready to sleep is an obvious bonus.
Of course, the adoption of voice control technology does come with its challenges, and a system that doesn’t recognise multiple different voices may fail to deliver – but with the latest developments in the field, it’s an issue we won’t have to worry about for much longer.
Artificial intelligence
Customer service is always important in hotels, but five-star establishments in particular have to pull out all of the stops to ensure a seamless guest experience from start to finish. It’s not just about ticking all the necessary boxes, but going the extra mile, and making each customer feel special with bespoke service provided throughout their stay is one of the many ways in which repeat custom is secured.
One way customer service is being elevated to all new heights is through the incorporation of artificial intelligence, which allows hoteliers to create tailor-made packages and experiences for guests based on the data they have provided and apply more effective marketing strategies to keep them coming back for more.
AI is being used in practically all spheres of hospitality, and in luxury hotels, providing 24-hour digital support for guests means they will never have to wait around for someone to help them. It’s not just during the stay itself that AI is making a notable difference though, and it’s being used across all digital touchpoints, including social media and websites, to provide a better service, too.
