According to a recent survey, 85% of guests say they’d feel more comfortable staying at hotels that use technology to reduce direct contact. Making a customer feel safe is the number one priority for venues right now, and technology definitely has a huge role to play in that. But operators obviously need to ensure they are providing a fun, enjoyable experience too. Yotel Amsterdam is a good example of this: a self-service hotel for smart, tech- savvy travellers. It’s designed around guests, taking essential elements of luxury hotels into a compact, but smart space and delivering a sense of community with areas for co-working, social gatherings and exercise.

Including smart hotel technology within guest rooms is another way to assure a socially distant and safer guest experience. YOTEL guests can launch the YOTEL App to manage their booking, download a SmartKey to check in from their phone, browse and order from the menus, or simply have a quick YOCHAT. Cabins (YOTEL speak for rooms) are equipped with in-room panels that allow guests to change room temperature, adjust the lights and more. Other signature features are a SmartBed that adjusts from an upright couch to a fully flat double bed, a pull out desk for using a laptop and a small folding chair, and a smart TV to connect personal devices. Additional amenities in the hotel include time saving airline-style self-service kiosks, a modern gym open 24/7 and bicycle rental.

As a traveler, I really like these developments as it allows hospitality to remove the things which can be annoying - like queues to check-in, getting the waiter's attention to order drinks, and paying for the bill at the reception desk. Hotels that embrace the technology that give guests the control on these things, can focus their attention on the hospitality and quality of service.

Author: Agnès Nederhof, copywriter & travel blogger
Check out Agnès' blog, Girl On The Move, here.