Except, I could not figure out how to turn on the reading lamp on the bed-stand. What followed was a reverse UX drill-down. I tried every element and combination on the bed panel and the touch switches next to the door. (confusing everyone looking at my hotel window from the outside). Following the wires to a standard AC plug, I concluded it might not be operated by the touch panels. Just to be sure I unplugged it and plugged it in on the desk outlets. Nothing. So maybe some kind of touch activation in the base? Nothing. Do I need to touch it longer? Nope. Maybe touching the lamp shade? No, nothing again. Some kind of ring element to twist on the lamp arm? No, that's really just a nut to fasten the lamp arm. Maybe there was a pull wire that got ripped off? No. Sigh. I give up, maybe its just broken.
Next day I figured out it was a unmarked black flip switch, flush on the opposite side of the black metal base.
Why can't my hotel chain of choice's app let me do the following all within the app:
- Book the room
- Check in (geo-locate to verify if necessary)
- Be my room key
- Be my TV remote
- Help me pay for any additional purchases I make (over the counter medicine, toiletries I forgot, mini bar, room service)
- Let me request extra towels/pillows/etc.
- Check out
My ideal hotel stay would involve very minimal interaction with humans.
Sounds great for a Motel 6 setup.
But making me download an app, sign up for an account, verify my email address, sync with my current reservation, and learn his to use a new app just to ask a question or get she extra pillow isn't luxury. If I wanted to do things myself, I'd get an Airbnb or go to a campsite. I'm paying for a hotel because I want a hotel.
Or worse: I don't even get to choose the hotel because my employer is paying for it, or I'm at a convention.
It's taking the "hospitality" out of the hospitality industry.
If every location is gonna keep a big basket of backup keys and backup remotes anyway... Well, having a single consistent lower-tech approach might well be cheaper.
Another place gave us a metal key. You left it with the front staff when you went out and they gave it back to you when you returned. We thought it'd be annoying at first but they're very quick to do so, nice when they remember you and hand it over immediately.
My current hotel is a happy medium. Not too much technology, but extremely comfortable. Front staff is kind and helpful. Telephone in the room if you need to reach them and WhatsApp too if you prefer texting them.
Anyway, I agree with the author. Don't make me think after a long trip.
My wife and I were fiddling with it for a minute trying to go down and a cleaning staff noticed us struggling, came over, and then it took him 20 seconds to trigger it too! Tried using his knuckle to trigger it. C'mon!
so in my google home application I could see the titles of all the other rooms and control it remotely
Also, remember how HR and accounting work regarding efficiency. If they detect that the human touch is redundant to a fully-functional app, one of them's gotta go.