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Four Seasons introduces new mobile app


Sarah Williams, June 10th, 2015

Developed based on guest insight and extensive testing, the app will provide services that guests have told Four Seasons they most want.

Some of those desirable features include checking in and out with the app, negating the need to queue at reception, as well as reservation management and special requests.

Allen Smith, President and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and resorts, said: “With this innovative new App, Four Seasons continues to enhance the guest experience, setting the standard in luxury digital service delivery.”

The app is a sort of catch-all travel and hotel app, and combines practical functions that guests consistently need such as:
• ability to make and manage reservations in multiple cities and properties at the same time
• check-in and check-out, including the ability to book luggage pickup and airport transfers
• special requests such as extra pillows, toiletries and more
• room service orders straight from the app plus easy-to-book
• restaurant and spa reservations, golf tee times and leisure activities
• local guides and tips for exploring individual destinations, combined into “moods” including dining, shopping, cultural pursuits and more
• GPS service offers helpful, in-language maps with time/distance indicators to help to plan out dining, attractions and shopping activities; a save-and-share feature helps with itinerary planning

Since the new app brings together many traditional in-house departments for the first time, Four Seasons has said in a statement that internal training has been a large part of the roll-out.

In addition to gearing up for the more connected guests, the company has developed new workflow software and other internal systems to ensure a completely seamless experience for guests.

While some guests prefer a traditional hotel service, increasingly, guests want to use their mobile to do everything, especially in the GCC, which is one of the most mobile-saturated markets in the world.

According to a statement released yesterday, the Four Seasons app therefore aims to allow customers to choose when and how they interact with hotel employees.

“Our greatest asset – our people – will still provide the highest value proposition during every guest stay,” Smith concluded.
Four Seasons was recently voted in Hotelier Middle East’s Salary Survey as the Best Place to Work in the Middle East.

In the coming months, the Four Seasons App will be released in Simplified Chinese, and a special version tailored to the preferences of Chinese travellers will be issued by the end of the year. Four Seasons also has plans to provide the App in additional languages down the road, starting with Arabic.