What Are Smart Hotels?

A ‘Smart Hotel’ refers to the integration of smart technology and sustainable amenities in a hospitality environment. Smart technology connects everyday devices or amenities to the internet to enable communication between devices and contactless operation of those amenities. Smart devices function on various types of technology, including ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT), ‘Artificial Intelligence’ (AI), machine learning, and sensors. Many of the amenities or smart room controls can be controlled from a single, remote source, such as a mobile app.

Internet of Things (IoT)

‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) is a type of smart room technology that refers to the integration of internet connectivity into ordinary electronic devices. This enables remote, contactless operation of room controls or amenities. Smart room amenities with IoT technology are devices like TVs, speakers, or room thermostats and lighting. These devices are usually controlled from a single source, such as a phone app.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence is an ever-developing form of smart technology that continues to revolutionize everyday tasks and processes. Nowadays, smart hotels utilize AI technology to provide guests with chatbots to answer questions or resolve issues 24/7 via their website or mobile app, personalize and automate smart room controls, or provide AI-powered virtual assistants, such as Amazon Alexa.

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are two forms of emerging technology that have a positive outlook for the hospitality industry as an instrumental marketing tool. VR and AR technology simulate real environments to enable a person to virtually experience that place. For the hospitality industry, this opens the door for guests to ‘experience’ the hotel or the surrounding area and its attractions.

Mobile Apps and Digital Keys

Having a mobile app for guests has become commonplace among large chain hotels, including Marriott (Marriott Bonvoy), Hilton (Hilton Honors), and IHG (One Rewards). With these apps, guests can book accommodation, check-in and check-out, request services, or even access their room with a mobile passkey.

Mobile concierge allows guests to access information or request services whenever and wherever from their smartphone. All the resources and information they might need is centralized into a single location. Having a digital key available at all times during the stay is also convenient for those who want to check-in through the app and skip the wait at the front desk. Furthermore, a keyless entry eliminates the risk of lost or stolen room keys.

Use of Robots

Robots have been the subject of debate and victim of conspiracy theories for nearly a century. However, despite the drama that surrounds these innovative machines, robots have found their place in numerous industries, including hospitality.

There are few different types of robots that are currently used in various smart hotels around the world. Here are some examples:

• Concierge: greetings, information, sometimes referred to as ‘guest ambassadors’
• Room Service: luggage transportation, room deliveries, etc.
• Housekeeping: vacuuming, amenity/tool transportation, etc.

Sustainability Solutions

Implementing smart technology as a sustainability solution has proven effective in reducing waste and optimizing factors such as energy usage or water consumption. Smart controls, for example, can be programmed to control the lighting based on occupancy and natural daylight and climate control according to guest preferences or the hotel’s default settings.

Sustainability solutions can also be applied to areas such as housekeeping, where there are tools such as robots or ADA Cosmetics Refullitation (a sustainable cosmetic amenity refill solution). Providing guests with organic or all natural amenities is yet another way to reduce environmental impact and improve guest satisfaction.

Sustainable cosmetics – order here

Smart hotels around the world are leveraging the use of automated and interactive technology to enhance the guest experience and improve sustainability. The concept of a ‘smart hotel’, or ‘smart hospitality’, was first introduced in 2008, and has since greatly expanded.

Smart hotels can be found across the globe, and are especially prominent throughout Central Europe, Asia, and the USA. Let’s take a look at some examples of smart hotels and the innovative amenities they have to offer.

The Westin Boston Seaport District

The Westin Boston Seaport District is a contemporary style hotel located on the waterfront in the heart of historic Boston, Massachusetts. The Westin Boston Seaport District is a Marriott Bonvoy hotel which offers its members mobile check-in and other complimentary services or amenities. The hotel is pet-friendly, provides advanced amenities, such as smart TVs, and also offers guests complimentary EV charging stations if applicable.

Regent Santa Monica Beach

The Regent Santa Monica Beach, located in the popular coastal city of Santa Monica, California, combines luxury and comfort with state-of-the-art technology. The smart luxurious hotel celebrated its grand opening in October 2024 and offers guests spacious suites and amenities, including smart Bose speakers, mobile booking and check-in through the IHG One Rewards app, electric bikes to explore the city, and much more. Regent Santa Monica Beach is also pet friendly and offers special accommodations for families with young children.

Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea

Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea is an urban retreat situated in the heart of Manhattan just blocks from the city center and Madison Square Park. With the Hilton Honors app, members can benefit from a contactless check-in and access their room with a digital key, stream movies and shows through the TV, or easily control the room temperature and lighting through the app. The hotel is also pet friendly and offers nearby parking accommodations and EV charging stations for additional fees.

The Charles Hotel Munich

The Charles Hotel Munich is a smart luxury hotel located in the city center of Munich, Germany. The hotel is situated across the street from the Old Botanical Garden (German: Alter Botanischer Garten), offering a unique audiovisual experience that pleasantly blends nature and history in a modern, urban environment. The contemporary style rooms have a refreshing vibe and are complete with a smart TV, bluetooth speakers, and organic toiletries.

Eccleston Square Hotel London

Eccleston Square Hotel London takes smart technology and sophistication to the next level. The hotel is located in downtown London, England, next to the quaint Eccleston Square Garden and within walking distance of Buckingham Palace. The rooms in Eccleston Square Hotel London capitalize on smart technology, integrating smart amenities, such as bedside concierge tablets, adjustable mattresses, smart glass for optimum privacy and natural lighting, smart TVs, as well as electronic curtains and lighting.

The Peninsula Paris

The Peninsula Paris is the epitome of smart luxury. Located in the heart of Paris with a clear view of the city’s most iconic monument, this luxury hotel boasts a balance of class and modernity. The rooms and suites are decked out with smart tablets, smart TVs, wireless/hands-free phones with VOIP technology, and touch screen wall panels. All digital devices are also available in 11 languages which will be set according to guest preferences.

Smart hospitality is all about seeking new heights and embracing change to enhance the guest experience and contribute to a healthier planet. At ADA Cosmetics, we have internalized this outlook and are always searching for ways to further improve the sustainability of our products and satisfaction of our clients.

Smart technology in hotels is just as important for the guests as it is for housekeeping and management. That’s why we have innovated a brand new, eco-conscious solution to optimize and automate the cosmetic refill process. Introducing ADA Cosmetics Refillution; a sustainable cosmetic refill solution offered by ADA Cosmetics to align with the goals of smart luxurious hotels around the world.

This concept and design of our solution is simple, but has significant benefits for the environment. In place of traditional refill systems, the ADA Refillution dispenser machine quickly and hygienically refills cosmetic dispenser bottles from a 10L bag. Just one of these bags can replace approximately 34 plastic dispenser bottles, cutting down on plastic waste by 95%. ADA Cosmetics Refillution is a smart way to facilitate a more environmentally friendly and efficient housekeeping operations while providing guests with a positive and sustainable experience.

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