The first half of the ABC News video features a short tour of the 600-room Yotel Hotel in Manhattan. Yotel Hotel is a small chain that has four international locations including NYC, London (two locations), and Amsterdam. The video describes the hotel “futuristic and fun.” Some of the highlights include:
- Luggage Yobot: A luggage sourcing system with a robot
- Self Check-in and Check-out Kiosks
- 20,000 square feet of public spaces, i.e. lounges, studio, restaurants and bars
- Organic mattresses
- Free WiFi
- Monsoon Rain Showers
- Thoughtful and “traveler-friendly” room design
References:
The picture was downloaded from Stashrewards.com. 
Wow, this video truly illustrates how computers are taking over human work. Although the “Yotel” appears efficient and economical, I find it scary that a robot is taking luggage and guests are checking themselves in. There is something to be said about interpersonal interactions and problem solving that technology simply cannot replace. Don’t get me wrong, the Yotel has some great features for what sounds to be a relatively inexpensive cost. However, the Yotel does not decrease the trend of unemployment in the field of hospitality and hotel management. If computers are more economical than people, most fields of work are potentially dying as well.
ReplyDeleteYotel embodies everything that the new generations are looking for. In one word it can be described as, the future. Yotel embraces new trends such as using new and advanced technology, travel friendly designs and also is keeping up with the current help the environment trend by using organic mattresses. All of these trends and patterns we see at the Yotel, are what the newer and future generations are looking for.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is what defines these generations; we are faced paced and want easier and more convenient lifestyles, especially when we are traveling! So, we can see that the Yotel is keeping up with the times by providing these facilities while also keeping a chic and modern look. Self check in and a robot baggage claim are just two ways of showing what the future can be like, and the future is happening right now. These two amenities can help relieve some traveler’s frustrations with moving in by making it faster, but I can also see how it can be rather impersonal and irritating. I know that sometimes I do not like to deal with automations on the telephone, I rather speak to a customer service representative; so these can either help or hurt the new plan. Another factor that was brought up which I did not think of is that having these self check in kiosks and a robot baggage claim, this only helps unemployment rise within the hospitality and lodging industry. I hope that when I am out of college and if I am seeking to work in a hotel, that they are still hiring actual people instead of machines! This just shows that new trends can either be embraced or rejected very quickly.
Thank you, Nicole. Very interesting comment. I have not thought about the unemployment rate --- you got the point! Without "real people" serving the people, will a place become too "cold"? How shall we balance the arts of having "people" when guest need "people"? ...
ReplyDeleteThe concept of the Yotel Hotel is great, but there are pros and cons to the technologies and amenities included in it. The world has become so consumed with screens and our generation, especially, is lacking in communication skills. While I think it is a good idea to have a check in screen, it is also important to have someone greeting you at the hotel. I know that when I go to hotels, I may suggest a different room than they have assigned me, so a screen wouldn't necessarily be able to accommodate my needs. Additionally, if more hotels continue to have this self check-in the unemployment rate will remain high and won't help to give people jobs.
ReplyDeleteThe size of rooms seem a bit small for people to stay in, which could deter people from staying in this type of hotel. On the other hand though, it is very traveler friendly which is important for business people that are only in the city for a short period of time. Having free wi-fi is definitely a positive aspect of the hotel and business people would enjoy that while staying there. Another trend that the Yotel Hotel is embracing is the fact that they are using organic mattresses. This shows that they are attempting to be environmentally friendly and customers will appreciate that.
The Yotel Hotel, a new hotel in New York City seems like a great concept at first but after learning more I believe there are a lot of cons to the concept. First off, I do not really like the idea of the computer check in as the only option. Being a hospitality management major, a position at the front desk is a job option for me and if hotels replace people with computers there will be less opportunities out there. I also think it looks less personable for the hotel to have only computer check in. I also do not like the idea of having the robot. It is cool because it is something no other hotel has but I do not think it is really that practical. I know that if I were staying at the Yotel Hotel I would not leave my luggage with my personal belongings in it with a robot. I would have the fear that it would get lost.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that the Yotel Hotel is not very accommodating to children. The rooms look too small to hold a family. I also think that the restaurants and bars are not catered to a child friendly atmosphere. I would be surprised if the hotel drew in a lot of families as their clientele.
Very fantastic post! In New York there is a hotel for every taste and need, whether you seek a budget hotel as if we are one of five stars that offer discounts guaranteed, it is possible to take a business trip and enjoy spa services and treatment rooms massage, in addition to the gym. For a family holiday is a good choice a hotel with babysitting or child care.
ReplyDeleteHotel New York
The four major operational departments of hotels in camps bay are: housekeeping department, food and beverage service department, food production (kitchen) department, and front office department.
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