Starwood Hotels & Resorts pulled off a major coup recently by becoming the first hotel group to confirm a development for the new Apple Watch – an app which will unlock doors.
The company made a cameo in the launch of the product last month when Apple vice president of technology Kevin Lynch highlighted the app, which will be available for the Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty programme.
From spring 2015, guests will be able to unlock their rooms at W Hotels-branded properties around the world using the wrist device.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts senior vice president of SPG & digital Chris Holdren has now provided more details on what this new technology will do.
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“We envision endless ways Apple Watch could help us enhance our guests’ experiences at our hotels from instantly recognizing guests with a warm, personal welcome to empowering our SPG members to bypass the front desk,” he said.
“When you arrive at a destination airport, a notification will take you to a list of transportation options to your hotel. When you arrive at the hotel, a notification shows you your room number with instructions for using Apple Watch to unlock your room and when you arrive at the bar, you'll be asked via notification if you'd like your usual drink brought to your table.
“You can also view your SPG account in Glances. The marriage of high tech and high touch is poised to transform the hotel experience in so many exciting ways and at Starwood we’re committed to being on the cutting edge of what’s next.”
The device itself will become available in early 2015, priced from US$349, although users will also need to have a compatible iPhone to use with it.
Starwood’s early foray into this new technology comes on the back of a number of recent developments by the company and its member brands and properties.
Earlier this year, the company is also the first hotelier to embrace Google Glass – another example of wearable technology - with an SPG app.
Meanwhile, its Aloft Cupertino hotel in California recently deployed a robotic butler – also known as a Botlr – which assists the human staff in delivering amenities to guest rooms.
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