Hotels across the globe are bridging the gap between technology and traditional concierge services by offering a range of products and amenities designed to make the modern traveler’s stay more convenient.
A Guide to the City
The Hotel Indigo brand, an InterContinental Hotels Group affiliate, is providing guests with a touchscreen software application that catalogs the hotels’ local dining and entertainment offerings, in addition to supplying information on the Hotel Indigo brand and properties. The Neighborhood Guide enables hotels to upload and update their specific property’s content with recommendations of things to see and do nearby that are off the beaten path, from watching a performance at a local theater to having dinner at the area’s trendiest restaurants.
For instance, the 293-guestroom Hotel Indigo Lower East Side in one of Manhattan’s most fashionable neighborhoods, recommends visiting the New Museum to view the contemporary gallery’s adventuresome exhibits; watching an indie band concert at the Bowery Ballroom; and eating at the 127-year-old sandwich shop, Katz’s Delicatessen. The Hotel Indigo Lower East Side’s Neighborhood Guide, which is divided into three categories—see, hear and taste— shares up to eight recommendations with guests, for a total of up to 24 neighborhood hot spot recommendations. Guests can even take selfies on the Neighborhood Guide and post the images directly to their personal Facebook and Twitter pages or email the photos directly to themselves.
Suggest your clients stay in the hotel’s Duplex Penthouse Suite on the 25th and 26th floors, which features unobstructed 360-degree views of the city. Room rates range from $239 to $459. For more information, call (212) 237-1776 visit or visit ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/us/en/new-york/nycos/hoteldetail.
Text Service
The Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts and the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa have created text services that allow guests to communicate with the hotels’ concierge staff in real-time. The Waldorf Astoria’s Waldorf Service Text Messaging service is a quick way for guests to contact the Waldorf Astoria team members 24/7; team members respond within 60 seconds.
The 181-guestroom Towers of the Waldorf Astoria New York is one of eight Waldorf Astoria hotels around the world participating in the Waldorf Service Text Messaging. Using the Kipsu app—a platform that utilizes real-time digital communication channels, such as SMS, Internet chat and social messaging—the hotel is able to provide guests with the luxury and convenience of communicating via text message with a personal concierge in real-time.
Suggest your clients stay in the hotel’s individually designed suites or residential-style apartments, which have been home to royalty, world leaders and celebrities. Standard room rates start at $549 per night. For more information, call (800) 925-3673 or visit waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/the-towers-of-the-waldorf-astoria-new-york-NYCWTWA/index.html.
The 487-guestroom Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tuscon, Arizona is also using text messaging as a liaison between guests and the hotel’s staff. The hotel text “serve-ice” utilizing Zingle—a cloud-based, enterprise messaging and texting platform. Whenever a guest has a request, such as a need for room service, towel service, wakeup calls or reservations, they can text WLP to (520) 223-9899 to initiate conversation with the property’s concierge team.
Suggest your clients stay in the hotel’s 1,900-sq.-ft. La Paloma Suite, which features views of the Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains from guests’ private patio—complete with a whirlpool spa. Room rates start at $152 per night. For more information, call (520) 742-6000 or visit westinlapalomaresort.com.
A Customized Experience
Conrad Hotels & Resorts’ new Stay Inspired initiative features activities separated into 1-, 3- and 5-hour itineraries, available through the Conrad Concierge mobile app and stayinspired.com. The initiative, which is available at each of the brand’s 24 locations worldwide, provides guests with a customized local experience created by Nilou Motamed, the former editor-in-chief of Epicurious, who now serves as the brand’s first ever director of inspiration. Each Conrad 1/3/5 recommendation covers food, shopping, art and design, culture, family, and adventure in the hotel’s destination city. It can also be used to access custom content photos, videos, and maps, or book a room and an experience through the hotel’s concierge. The property’s concierge will also have tablet devices to help guide guests through the itineraries.
Although the program is available at the Conrad Dubai, the Conrad Maldives and the Conrad Algarve, for clients staying at the Conrad Seoul, suggest the 3,100-sq.-ft. Penthouse Suite since it features complimentary butler service, its own lounge and a large bedroom offering river and city views. Rates for the Conrad Seoul start at $530 of the Penthouse Suite and $224 for a Deluxe Standard room.For more information, visit conradhotels.com.
