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Some hotels manage to get a step ahead, delivering guests superior luxury or innovation – and sometimes both!
With the progress of technology accelerating rapidly, many guests demand and expect the very latest the digital world has to offer.
Let’s take a look at some of the most impressive properties already using awe-inspiring features to wow their guests.
W Singapore Sentosa Cove
Sentosa Island, Singapore
With underwater speakers, suites housing private DJ booths, mood-themed and signature-scented meeting rooms, and LED lights throughout, there’s everything you need in a futuristic hotel at this property. Everywhere a guest looks there’s a feature they want but probably didn’t know it even exists. W Singapore houses 240 guest rooms and is located in a beautiful tropical escape.
*What do guests say about this hotel?
“We stayed in the Fabulous room which also faces onto the pool and marina. It is similarly fabulously decorated as the rest of the hotel. Loved the many different lighting features, and the various mood pre-programmed mood lighting, including the headboard of the beds. The TV comes with a Bose sound system and surround sound, including in the bathroom. It’s a cosy hotel, very quiet locale. Nice place to get away from the madding crowds of the mainland, and enjoy a bit of luxury.”
Many guests demand and expect the very latest the digital world has to offer.
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The Hotel Silken Puerta América
Madrid, Spain
Built upon the designs of a dream team, The Hotel Silken Puerta América is a traveller’s delight. Nineteen of the world’s best architects came together to create unique rooms on every floor. Even the car park has been vibrantly designed by a leading professional. Concepts throughout the 315 rooms are realised in designs such as white caves and red lacquered walls, and 1000-person capacity meeting and event rooms.
What do guests say about this hotel?
“If like me you feel tired of copy/paste brand hotels, with same interior and same facilities, this is a place for you. Each of the floors has different theme, hotel has really invested into their interior. Believe me, you will be amazed. Great place to stay for some days and enjoy Madrid, small minus is location which is little bit off, but close to the airport.”
The Yotel New York City
New York, United States
Boasting 669 rooms, the Yotel is a perfect mix of business and pleasure. A capsule style property, it has electronic check-in terminals, an aptly named Yobot the robot to take care of your luggage, and space-saving motorised beds and motion-activated air conditioning. The hotel refers to its front desk as ‘mission control’. Space, technology and efficiency are priorities here helping to deliver an intriguing guest experience.
What do guests say about this hotel?
“Everything from the funky colors to the elevator music suggests that this won’t be your ordinary, boring hotel. I really enjoyed staying somewhere DIFFERENT. If you’re looking for stale and boring, look elsewhere. This place is truly fun and unique. The rooms were small but so is every other room in New York. Prices were reasonable. Rooms were clean. But the STAFF made this stay excellent. Particularly Karina from the “mission control” staff. She was friendly, accommodating and really understood what customer service is all about.”
Eccleston Square Pimlico
London, England
Bringing together history and cutting-edge technology, Eccleston Square Pimlico is a unique but quintessentially British hotel. While the exterior is a striking 19th Century Grade II listed historical facade, the interior bristles with keypads that control the music and lighting, shower walls with an instant frosting option, flat-screen televisions embedded in bathroom mirrors and iPads that provide concierge service from the comfort of the room.
What do guests say about this hotel?
“Small size of our room was totally overcompensated by the many high-tech conveniences and the friendliness and responsiveness of the staff. Having a personalised iPad and smartphone available for use outside the hotel greatly facilitated our weekend plans and touring objectives.”
Pengheng Space Capsules Hotel
Shenzhen, China
If the future is one without humans this hotel is a perfect depiction of it. Pengheng staff including doormen, waiters, and front desk attendants, are all robots. All ‘rooms’ are designed as space capsules and the ultra clean and clinical interior has guests thinking they’ve walked into a sci-fi film.
What do guests say about this hotel?
“The atmosphere and location is amazing. Creative design makes you feel like you’re going into a spaceship! Everything is VERY clean, they give you a towel, slippers, toothbrush and toothpaste. I really enjoyed staying here. The girl from reception helped to get a taxi at 5am even though she didn’t speak any English.”
Blow Up Hall 5050
Poznan, Poland
While hotels often house brilliant restaurants and bars, it’s not a regular sight to see all that combined with an interactive work of art. But that’s exactly what is happening at Blow Up Hall 5050. Numerous digital art installations accompany the 22 guest rooms, with digital check-in and 700-people strong meeting spaces.
What do guests say about this hotel?
“I love, love love this elegant and artistic hotel! The photos speak for themselves illustrating the fabulous creativity and unique design of each original room. The staff is super attentive, kind and down-to-earth. And the location, attached to a beautiful shopping mall with classical pianist performances and steps away from the old town, make it a perfect blend of options. My experience was so enjoyable that I stayed two extra nights.”
Marriott City Centre
Charlotte, United States
Marriott has transformed this 1980’s property into a hub of innovation, testing features that may be rolled out in other properties. For example, guests can take part in hundreds of virtual fitness classes presented on large wall-mounted screens, while in the lobby is a booth that measure your mood. Stay well rooms have purified air systems and digitised lighting to help ease jet lag.
What do guests say about this hotel?
“Wow! This hotel is modern, sleek and most of all “cool.” The common areas are gorgeous, and full of spaces to relax. The M club is like a concierge lounge on steroids. There was a huge selection of drinks and food, and a lot of comfortable places to sit (and work too if need be). They even have sparkling water on tap and a candy bar! The room was nice and the fitness center was INCREDIBLE! If this is the future of Marriott, count me in.”
*Guest reviews collected from TripAdvisor and Booking.com
City Hub
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Many young travellers favour cramped hostels when on budget trips. City Hub is a high-tech alternative, with 50 minimalist pods containing double beds, wifi, audio-streaming services, mood lighting controlled by an app. Plus, guests get given an electronic wristband which can be used to unlock the door.
What do guests say about this hotel?
“We spent five nights at City Hub and it sits somewhere between a hotel and a stylish hostel. Whatever you want to call it, this is a place very much aimed at the young, the beautiful and – most importantly – the tech savvy. Pretty much everything is operated via the wristband you get when you check yourself in or the app you can install on your phone. You can even use the wristband to pull yourself a beer! It sounds a bit gimmicky, but it all works really well. Even better is the free portable wifi they provide which means you’re always connected. You can also contact the ‘CityHosts’ via the app for tips and advice wherever you are.”
Kameha Grand
Zurich, Switzerland
This hotel has many different themes, but perhaps the most impressive is the space suite, which includes a live link, via big screen, to NASA’s mission control. It also includes a floating bed and interior furniture resembling rocket ships and astronaut gloves.
What do guests say about this hotel?
“The Kameha Grand has the luxury & high standards I expect from a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel, but the quirky name and the playful Swiss themes throughout the hotel make it something special. The staff are uncommonly welcoming, friendly and helpful for a European hotel. I was upgraded to the Fitness Suite, which had a fully functioning treadmill, free weights and, instead of carpeting, a rubberized floor marked like an indoor track. There are also Watchmaker, Serenity and Princess themed suites among others.”
Hotel Zetta
San Francisco, United States
Complete with a games console-filled playroom, a tech-filled antique telephone booth from which you can tweet, Snapchat or blog, and a museum display of retro games cartridges, computer chips and old mobile phones, Zetta is a gadget-lover’s dream. However it’s the virtual reality room in the lobby that is the jewel in the crown for technology enthusiasts.
What do guests say about this hotel?
“The lobby is hip, with many comfortable places to sit, a terrific bar, pool table, and two-story Plinko game. In the lounge on the next level they have shuffleboard, another pool table, giant Jenga game, and more fun spaces to hang out and catch up with friends. Given the fun/social nature of our trip, I hadn’t given any thought to what the rooms themselves would be like. When I entered my room, I was blown away. Maybe it’s the Dyson air purifier, layout of the spacious room, room infuser, meditation headset, or display of the minibar (which feels more like a home bar than a hotel) – the room just feels great to walk into and spend time in.”
