Starwood Hotels & Resorts launched new experiment in collaboration with DigiValet. The companies will offer special voice-activated guestrooms for Aloft hotels. Currently, these guestrooms are available at two hotels, but the company plans to add the new feature to more properties.
Guestrooms of new type are equipped with an iPad, which has a custom application installed. The device can be used to adjust temperature, lighting, music and some other features. Guests are given an iPad upon arrival. They will be greeted with a personalized welcome screen that explains how to set up their guestroom and use voice to make commands. The interface is intuitive and the device has a detailed built-in tutorial. According to Aloft management, commands using “fingertips” are already outdated. These days, guests want new and advanced technology, and this is what they get by using voice commands.