Marriott will introduce mobile check-in at some of its European hotels next month.
The hotel chain is to offer the service through a Marriott app on Apple and Android devices. It will initially be launched in five hotels in cities such as London, Prague and Brussels, before being rolled out across Europe in Q1 2014.
Ulrike Hallegger, director of rooms at Marriott Europe told Travel Daily the function will be used in Marriott branded hotels first and will be then in other brands under the group at a later stage.
She explained the mobile check-in will allow users to tell the hotel when they are likely to turn up, with the hotel then able to notify guests on the day when their room is ready. They will still collect a key from reception.
“The app helps us show we are ready for guests right away,” she told Travel Daily. “In our research our guests said their top choice would be to know when the room is ready for check-in, so we’ve started with a meaningful piece to speed up the process.”
Other features will be added including mobile check-out; the ability to order room service and advanced bookings or notification of a celebratory treat.
Hallegger said the app is particularly aimed at the younger generation who use phones and tablets every day.
“Marriott is our flag brand and we are trying to adapt to a new generation, who are keen on using technology. We need to show off to these people and only go live when it is perfect to allow for perfect execution. There are obstacles when developing a complete mobile experience, such as the need to see passports or take bank details, and of course we want to offer that, but we want to make the first step right and take others after.”
Marriott has also introduced a new app for meetings and events. The Red Coat Direct app allows the guest to send request to hotel staff without leaving the meeting room.
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