In-Room Technology/Entertainment

As the demands of consumers are increasing, hoteliers must think of new innovative ideas to attract guests and to stand out. As a result, in-room technology is becoming more and more advanced and has many services on offer. In general, in-room technology makes one's stay at a hotel convenient and comfortable. It provides guests with services created for business and work as well as entertainment.

Nowadays in many hotels you are offered to use free wireless (Wi-Fi) high-speed Internet. Also, guests are able to watch TV and use devices like telephone or fax machine/copier. These services are to ensure a productive stay of business customers, however it can be useful to leisure guests too.

   

Furthermore, in-room technology can offer customers many various services in order to make their stay more pleasurable. For instance, guests can enjoy in-room movies or listen to music. Also, if you come with children they can play computer games. Some hotels even start offering up-market services like iPod or MP3 players to their customers for an additional price.

As I have mentioned before, in-room technology is becoming more and more sophisticated. Apart from all services mentioned above, guests can do much more things while operating special in-room technology system provided in the room. For instance, customers can control lighting, adjust room temperature, set alarm clock, open curtains or even book a flight just by using the remote control or control for touch screen.

In-room technology in Aria Hotel

 

However, hoteliers face issues that must be considered before purchasing and installing in-room technology. Firstly, they need to decide what in-room technology they would like to offer to their customers and at what price. For example, they might decide to provide iPods at free of charge but they must think of customer needs, as guest might want his/her own information/songs/contacts on the iPod. In this way, the provision of free iPods will neither satisfy customers nor give profit to the hotel. To avoid problems like this, it would be useful for hotelier to read reviews about in-room technology of both customers and other hoteliers. Another problem might be the installation of a particular in-room technology as some might require to change the infrastructure. One solution to this could be to use 'Plug and Play' systems. Finally, hotelier must consider the price of in-room technology installation and maintenance.    

A happy guest is one that will refer and return (Nick Youle, 2011).  As hospitality industry is very competitive, hoteliers need to become familiar with new technologies in order to make guests' stay more enjoyable and restful. In this way, they will build good reputation and ensure loyal customers.

References

• 41 Hotel [Online]. Retrieved from: http://www.41hotel.com/rooms-and-suites/in-room-technology
• Aria's In-Room Technology (2010) [Online video]. Retrieved from:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP2IoL7MK9Q  [Accessed 30 September 2011].  
• Benson, P. (2011) 'In-Room Technology: Hoteliers Embrace In-Room Technology', The Hotel Industry Magazine [Online]. Retrieved from: http://www.hotel-industry.co.uk/2011/05/in-room-technology/ [Accessed 29 September 2011].
• Bradbury, D. (2005) 'In-room technology', The Caterer and Hotelkeeper Magazine [Online]. Retrieved from: http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/02/06/2005/57638/In-room-technology.htm [Accessed 29 September 2011].
• Hallett, T. (2007) 'CEOs Must Know IT--Or Else', The Bloomberg Businessweek Magazine [Online]. Retrieved from: http://www.businessweek.com/print/globalbiz/content/mar2007/gb20070305_080635.htm  [Accessed 30 September 2011].
• Hospitality @ Comet 'Supplier press release: New technology set to bring hotel rooms to life', The Caterer and Hotelkeeper Magazine [Online]. Retrieved from: http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/15/08/2011/339807/Supplier-press-release-New-technology-set-to-bring-hotel-rooms-to.htm [Accessed 1 October 2011].
• Ledrew, S. (2011) In-Room Technology: A guide to getting the best hotel in room technology solutions for your business [Online]. Retrieved from: http://www.business.com/guides/in-room-technology-13716/
• Mollman, S. (2007) CNN In-room entertainment: What offerings, at what price? [Online]. Retrieved from: http://edition.cnn.com/2007/BUSINESS/06/05/hotels.entertainment/index.html [Accessed 30 September 2011]
• Thomas, D. (2011) 'Is there a future for in-room entertainment?', The Caterer and Hotelkeeper Magazine [Online]. Retrieved from: http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/19/04/2011/337883/Is-there-a-future-for-in-room-entertainment.htm [Accessed 1 October 2011].