Wednesday, 27 January 2016

Starwood guests unlock hotel rooms with Apple Watch app

Starwood guests unlock hotel rooms with Apple Watch app
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has launched an app for the Apple Watch that enables wearers to tap their device to unlock hotel room doors via Bluetooth. The SPG (Starwood Preferred Guest) app incorporates the SPG Keyless door entry system, which has been available for iPhones and Android devices since November 2014.

Combining high-tech and high-touch, the SPG app for Apple Watch is designed to anticipate and respond to the in-the-moment needs of guests from mobile check in, to opening their guest room door, to providing hotel’s information, room number, confirmation number, and directions and SPG account information with just a glance of the wrist, which can gives guests a new experience in accommodation with much convenient.
A tap of the finger gives instant access to in-the-moment features including:
·         Destination information: Guests receive the hotel address and directions in both the default and the local language upon arrival in their destination city. Throughout a guest’s stay, the app shares transportation options including estimated costs.
·         Easy Check-in: Reservation details and confirmation number are front and center, ensuring a smooth check-in.
·         Unlock the Stay: After registering for SPG Keyless, the Apple Watch will automatically send guests their room number and will function as their hotel room key at any SPG Keyless enabled Starwood hotel allowing guests to bypass the front desk.
·         Reminder: The app will display the hotel name, photo, and stay dates for up to four upcoming Starwood stays.
·         Personal information: Members can access their SPG account information, receive alerts about newly posted Starpoints, and get congratulated when they graduate to elevated statuses
·         Languages: Currently available in English, the SPG App for Apple Watch will feature Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish.
Currently available in more than 100 Aloft, Element and W hotels, SPG Keyless is rapidly rolling out and will soon be available on 30,000 doors in 150 hotels around the globe.
From our point of view, we think that the incentive of Starwood is good since it can be entertaining for the guests to have an access to new content and have a new experience of accommodation to attract the curious one which may also promote the hotel. However, the number of guest who has apple watch is limited so not every guest of Starwood can benefice this technique. Besides the issues rose above, we think that Starwood should engage in more developing and innovative technologies through smartphones which can have more beneficiary and make the service more convenient.


Sha HU&Yimin JIANG

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