Hotels going hi-tech
As our lives become more intertwined with technology, hoteliers are seeking new ways to incorporate hi-tech wizardry and redefine the experience.
Hotels in Las Vegas have been among the frontrunners, with properties such as the ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter, which opened early last year, taking technology to a new level. Each room is wired with a fibre-optic connection for 100Mbps internet access, and comes with a radio frequency identification card that senses when guests are near the room and unlocks the door, turns on the lights and parts the curtains for a view of the city.
The latest developer to try something radical is Accor, which has set up a temporary pilot room at the Novotel Vaugirard-Montparnasse in Paris. The technology is based on the recognition of body movements and of the voice to control games and entertainments. There are three Xbox consoles in the room, with two connected to a Kinect sensor. There is also a giant 'touch tab' with games and two Sensorit interactive mirrors, allowing guests to listen to the radio, or get information about restaurants and nearby tourist attractions.
David Esseryk, vice-president of consumer technologies at Accor, says the room has been specifically designed with families in mind.
'Historically, Novotel has a strong focus on the family. This is why pilot Room 3120 has so many items dedicated to children,' he says. 'The goal is to bring together all members of the family around the technologies.'
The room, designed to accommodate up to four guests (two adults and two children under 16), is available for bookings over a three-month period, until mid-February. The room will be offered at Euro199 (HK$2,017) a night. Esseryk says that 90 per cent of nights are already booked, and that guest feedback has included comments that the room offers a unique experience which is more incredible if you are not used to new technologies.
He says Novotel may install the room in another geographic zone and that some of the technology might be developed for other Accor hotels.
