InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has started trialling and selectively rolling out digital innovations to provide an interactive experience for guests.
The offerings include collaboration with city guide provider Stay.com, mobile check-in and check out, mobile room key technology, mobile Folio, and the introduction of iBeacon technology.
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InterContinental is collaborating with Stay.com, which will allow guests booking with IHG to use, research and decide their travel plans, as well as create personalised travel guides for more than 50 key destinations.
With mobile check-in and check out, guests will be able to manage their stay using their mobile devices through confirmation of arrival time and SMS notification of the room being ready.
The feature is currently being rolled out across the US, with expansion to other countries expected soon.
InterContinental is introducing an extension of mobile check-in and check out named mobile Folio, which will enable guests to view their bills on their devices prior to receiving the hard copy.
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By GlobalDataThe hotel group is also testing mobile room key technology, which will enable guests to check-in without assistance from the front desk.
To allow guests to make requests through the IHG app, the company is testing IHG Guest Request, a platform that logs, assigns and tracks requests.
With iBeacon technology placed in the lobbies and restaurants, the company will be able to deliver personalised notifications to guests relevant to their stay in the hotel.
IHG is also introducing the Translator app for Apple Watch, which will allow guests to speak into the watch or select from a range of pre-loaded common phrases and get translations from English into 13 different languages.
IHG Digital and Voice Channels senior vice-president Michael Menis said: "The initiatives we are showcasing today are really exciting because they reinforce how our digital capabilities add value beyond the booking opportunity.
"They are an illustration of how we evolve our content strategy to stay connected with guests and develop more meaningful relationships with them."
Image: IHG Guest Request feature. Photo: courtesy of InterContinental Hotels Group 2015.
