Trends Update
5 smart home technology ideas for your hotel
Smart technology is taking over homes, providing convenience for consumers across a variety of areas. But while it offers incredible potential for businesses, uptake in the hospitality sector has been slow. Understanding and implementing the latest technology trends can give your hotel a boost, attracting more customers and improving satisfaction levels at the same time, making it a worthwhile investment.
Smart technology covers a huge, ever growing range of products that hotels can tap into. Choose the right technology and you can not only improve customer experience but streamline existing processes too, freeing up more time for your employees to focus on establishing exceptional customer relationships. Automating guest rooms can be exactly what you need to take your brand and image to the next level.
If you’ve been exploring adding some smart home technology to your hotel service, we’ve got five ideas that when implemented could deliver real benefits.
1. Thermostat control
Nobody wants to spend the day exploring a holiday spot to come back to their room and find it’s too cold or hot. Thermostat controls in homes allow users to control their heating or air conditioning wherever they are by connecting remotely to the device. Adding smart thermostats into your rooms will help to ensure your guests have a comfortable base to return to. It’s also a great way for you to monitor how energy is used in your hotel.
2. Voice activation
The voice activation market is booming, with Amazon Echo and Google Home making their way into houses around the world. They can be linked with other smart devices and being able to use voice activation to play music, ask questions about the local area, and even place online orders, will go down well with your tech savvy guests. Incorporating voice activation with your customer service team can make dealing with queries simpler and more efficient.
3. Lighting, windows, and doors
Smart home technology can make lighting simple. Adding blinds, lighting, doors and other room essentials to your smart setup can make it far more convenient to your guests. They’ll be able to dim the lights and shut the shades with just a touch of a button. It can also improve security features, linking to their smartphones to lock and unlock doors effortlessly. Building this in mind with the voice activation possibilities can create a seamless experience.
4. Charging stations
Guests will bring a whole host of gadgets with them and they’ll need somewhere to charge them up. Making charging stations a part of your room design will certainly be welcomed. They should be convenient and accessible at the points where people use them the most, such as on bedside tables and desks. If you really want to go the extra mile, you’ll get bonus points for offering wireless charging technology in rooms.
5. Smart kitchen appliances
If you include a personal kitchen in your suites and apartments or small kitchen appliances as part of your room, switching to smart options can have a big impact. It helps to create a better experience and provide your guests with a personalised stay that they’ll remember. Smart precision cookers mean your guests don’t have to continuously monitor their food while a smart kettle or coffee maker ensures they wake up to their favourite drink.