Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) has launched a new “digital guest entertainment solution”, which allows customers to access a range of in-room services via their personal device.
IHG Studio enables guests to connect and stream content from their devices to the in-room TV, as well as to access the TV remote within the IHG Rewards Club app.
The technology also allows customers to make service requests (for example ordering extra pillows), arrange late checkout, review room charges, and order room service.
Finally IHG Studio enables access to the group’s new Pay with Points benefits (being piloted at selected US properties), where IHG Rewards Club members can instantly redeem points to pay for food and drink, room rates and other services.
IHG Studio is currently available at around 40 properties in the US, and is set to be extended to regions including the UK, Greater China, Canada and Latin America by the end of 2019. IHG says that the service “will become a standard across all brands globally over the coming years”.
Commenting on the news Jeff Edwards, senior vice president, global hotel and owner solutions, IHG, said:
“IHG is committed to investing in technology solutions that help deliver a great guest experience across our nearly 5,800 hotels and portfolio of 16 brands. Guests want more than a quick, connected guest room experience – they want to stream and watch their own entertainment content from their mobile devices and personalize their stay experience. IHG Studio is yet another way we are innovating the guest experience for today’s travelers.
“IHG Studio also brings value to our hotel owners with an easy set-up that requires less maintenance and ultimately saves on operational costs. This new solution is powered by IHG Connect, our industry-leading in-hotel Wi-Fi system. By delivering a rounded in-room entertainment experience for guests, hotels will increase guest satisfaction and help drive loyalty.”
Rival hotel group Hilton is gradually rolling out a similar Connected Room concept, and Marriott is developing “smart” rooms designed to enable travellers to customise their stays using mobile and voice-activated systems incorporated into their rooms.
