Aloft Hotels, the tech-savvy brand, owned and operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Inc. recently announced the launch of their new Smart Check-In pilot program. This new initiative caters to the “new generation of guests, who are more interested in high-tech than high-touch”.
Currently being tested in Lexington, MA, select guests, who opt into the program receive an enhanced Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) / Aloft-branded key card to participate in the program, which runs on radio frequency identification (RDIF) technology. On the planned arrival date, a text is sent to the guest’s mobile device with their room number, allowing them to skip check-in and go straight to their room.
The hotel plans on expanding the key cards abilities into an “all-access pass” for cocktail, food, retail and sundry purchases through the building.
What can a spa learn from this innovative approach?
With new technology, even the most remote spa can attract customers from far and wide. With Aloft Hotels, they entice people to stay at their hotels to experience their high-tech approach to comfort. With a spa, it could be something as simple as a text message appointment reminder or a web site that allows you to book and confirm appointments. You don’t have to spend thousands (or millions) to use new tech, you just have to keep an ear to the ground and understand what works best for you.
Whether it’s a group-purchasing site like DealOn; social networks like Twitter and Facebook; or RDIF technology-led keycards there are choices and those choices can help you stand out.
Click here to read the entire article at Hospitalitynet.org.
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