According to Aloft Hotels, more than ten thousand guests have already checked-in using the company’s new “smart check-in” system that is nothing like the traditional system we all know and use. Reporting the success, the hotelier also announced twelve more hotels to join the program by the end of the year.
Aloft Hotels, the brand that is a part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, is targeted at modern travellers and has “different by design” as one of its main slogans. So there is nothing strange that the new and innovative Smart Check-in Program debuted in Aloft Hotels. The system offers very simple check-in that is also the fastest in the industry. It allows guests skipping the usual waiting at the receptionist’s desk, filling papers and waiting for the key guests can simply head to their rooms once they arrive at the hotel.
Smart Check-in first debuted in Aloft hotel in Lexington in 2010. Currently, the system works in four more hotels, but more properties are to be added this year. Due to testing status, the new system was available for Starwood Preferred Guest members. They received the enhanced SPG / Aloft-branded keycard with the improved RFID technology (radio frequency identification). On the check-in day the guest simply receives a text message with the room number, so upon arrival he or she can simply go straight to that room and unlock the room with the keycard. The cards are provided by VingCard Company.
As Aloft sees its customers as tech-forward people who are always in a hurry, it decided to become the first company to offer the new check-in service. First the company was unsure about the customers’ feedback, but it was very positive.