Skip to main content

Say Good-bye to the Front Desk

Image
By
This afternoon, Starwood Hotels introduced the “Smart Check-in” pilot program at its Aloft Hotels brand. Selected Starwood Preferred Guests (SPG) who choose to participate in this program will receive an “enhanced SPG/Aloft-branded RFID (radio frequency identification) keycard.” Here is how it works:

On the day of arrival, SPG guests will receive a text message with their room numbers. Then, they can skip the Front Desk and go straight to their rooms. They can open the door with the enhanced SPG keycards. Starwood is testing this program in its Aloft Lexington location. In the future, guests will be able to use the enhanced SPG keycards for other purchases during their hotel stays, such as cocktails and food.

Many frequent travelers have already used express check out and skip the Front Desk. We are also aware that people can check-in in a hotel with an iPhone app (http://linchikwok.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-will-iphone-travel-apps-change-our.html). Now that guests do not even need to stop by the Front Desk to pick up their keys, is it time for us to say good-bye to the Front Desk? In addition to saving labor costs, I believe “smart cards” can help the industry become “greener” by combining repeat guests’ reward cards and hotel room keys into one device. What do you think?

References:
Yahoo!Finance: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Skip-a-Trip-to-the-Checkin-bw-2221867726.html?x=0 Pictures were copied from http://passionsofazealot.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/2719763825-3a3cfffa98-b.jpg; http://www.hotels.com/13/hotels/1000000/10000/9100/9099/hcom_9099_31_b.jpg
Labels:

Comments

  1. Linchi KwokMay 25, 2010 at 7:03 AM

    A follow-up news article by U.S.A. Today (05/24/2010)

    Holiday Inn to test smartphone as hotel-room key; some guests prefer to skip front desk

    http://content.usatoday.com/communities/hotelcheckin/post/2010/05/holiday-inn-and-intercontinental-test-technology-use-smart-phone-to-open-hotel-door-open-ways/1

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Is It OK for Hotel Staff to Wear Piercings and Tattoos?

By
Time has changed. I see more and more college students wearing piercings and tattoos nowadays, but is it OK for hotel staff to wear piercings and tattoos? The answer is “no, no, no.” According a report at USAToday.com, customers across the board do not want to see any hotel workers with pierced eyebrow, pierced tongue, tattooed arm, or nose ring. Some may argue that tattooed and pierced workers may seem more acceptable in edgy boutique hotels as compared to the big franchised hotels, but the survey results did not find any differences among a variety of lodging products. Many respondents believe people who wear visible tattoos and piercings are taking a high risk of their professional lives. If you stay in a hotel, do you mind being served by tattooed and/or pierced staff? What if you are the one who makes the hiring decision? References: USAToday.com: http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010 Picture was downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010P
28 comments
Read more

What Shall We Do When Job Seekers Cheat the AI Hiring Systems?

By
AI can streamline the hiring process, but concerns linger. For example, AI could perpetuate gender or racial biases in the hiring process , just like most human HR managers could do. Meanwhile, to increase the chances of being picked by AI, job candidates must prepare resumes and job interviews tailored to AI’s “preference.” When more job candidates understand how to convince AI that they are the best candidates for the job , can AI still make valid recommendations to hire the best-fit candidate in the pool? Then, if AI makes a mix of valid and invalid recommendations for hiring, will HR managers find it more challenging to select the right candidate for the job? The situation can get even more complicated if a candidate cheats the AI hiring systems. Cheat to bypass AI screening: Is it the cruelty of human nature? Job candidates are eager to get hired. Career coaches want to help. That is a good thing. Nevertheless, I have seen many free online tutorial videos teaching job candidate...
19 comments
Read more

Learn-by-Going: Study Abroad in Thailand (by Cecilyah New)

By
When I signed up for the 2024 Thailand Collins College Study Abroad Program, I did not anticipate a life-changing experience. I had no expectations beyond learning how to cook Thai food in Thailand for course credits, and I had not researched much about studying abroad before the trip. However, during my time at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi ( RMUTT ), I immersed myself in Thai culture, gained new insights into the hospitality industry, and broadened my global perspective in a new environment. Participating in this study abroad program has significantly contributed to my academic journey, professional development, and personal growth.   Academic and Professional Enrichment at RMUTT The Faculty of Liberal Arts at RMUTT and Dr. Kwok organized an intensive educational program that provided us with a comprehensive overview of hospitality and tourism in Thailand, along with an introduction to Thai history, language, and culture. On campus, we attended lectures that del...
13 comments
Read more