“SPG Smart Check-in” and Apple Watch make hotel check-in a breeze
Stamford, Connecticut, USA, April 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Apple Watch canhelp travelersbook an UBER ride, check in for flights, reserve restaurants... Now, with just a lift of the wrist, Apple Watchcan open hotel room doors in a brand-newand convenient way. Starting today, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), the award-winning loyalty program — SPG Club, has launched its SPG mobile app for Apple Watch, making it even more convenient for its members to enjoy #SPGLife.
The SPG Club app is now officially available on Apple Watch
The SPG mobile app seamlessly blends high-tech functionality with thoughtful design. With its detailed interface, it delivers timely updates based on guests’ immediate needs — from mobile check-in and unlocking rooms, to providing hotel address, room number, reservation confirmation number, hotel navigation, and SPG account details — all these surprises are just a wrist lift away for members.
“Starwood has always been committed to innovation in mobile and digital technology. We are truly honored and excited to be the first hotel group to enable guests to check in and unlock their rooms using Apple Watch,””said the Senior Vice President of Global Distribution, Loyalty Program & Partner Marketing at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Mark Vondrasek . “As mobile devices become increasingly prevalent, people expect technology to help them handle what’s most pressing. Apple Watch brings us even closer to our guests, allowing them to access essential information anytime, anywhere, in an incredibly simple and thoroughly modern way.”
Members simply tap their Apple Watch to instantly access a range of useful information, including:
- Local Navigation:Using contextual awareness technology, guests will receive hotel address and route information in both default and local languages upon arriving at their destination city. During their stay, the SPG mobile app will also share optional transportation options, including estimated costs.
- Worry-Free Check-in:Access your hotel reservation details and confirmation number anytime to ensure a smooth check-in process.
- Effortless Entry:Once members enroll in “SPG Smart Check-in,” their Apple Watch will automatically display their room number. At any Starwood hotel that offers “SPG Smart Check-in,” the Apple Watch will serve as the room key, allowing direct access to their room without waiting at the front desk (subject to local laws).
- See Into the Future:The SPG mobile app displays the hotel name and images, along with up to four future stay dates.
- Membership Updates:SPG Club members can access their account information at any time. They’ll be instantly notified when new points are credited, and will receive congratulatory messages if they achieve a higher membership tier.
- Multiple Languages:Currently, the SPG mobile app is available in English, with Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish versions to follow.
Open sesame! More and moreSPGClub members will say goodbye to room keys — “SPG Smart Check-in”The plan has been extended to100over 100 Starwood hotels
In November 2014, Starwood launched the “SPG Keyless” program, which redefined the traditional check-in process in the hospitality industry. “SPG Keyless” is the industry’s first truly keyless mobile check-in system, allowing guests to use their smartphones instead of traditional room keys. In collaboration with Assa Abloy, the world’s largest lock manufacturer, Starwood developed new Bluetooth-enabled locks and keyless software that securely recognize and connect with guests’ mobile devices. Today, this system has also been seamlessly integrated with the Apple Watch.
“We understand that our guests want easy access to more convenient services and experiences. Now, they can achieve that with just a flick of the wrist,” added Vondrasek. “Members have responded very positively to the ‘SPG Keyless’ experience. As the program continues to roll out across hotels worldwide, more and more members are starting to use SPG Keyless.”
To date, over 130,000 SPG members in more than 130 countries have enrolled in the “SPG Keyless” service. The service is currently available at more than 100 Aloft, Element, and W Hotels globally and is rapidly expanding. It will soon be offered at over 150 Aloft, Element, and W Hotels, with a total of more than 30,000 rooms equipped with this technology.
In Greater China, six Starwood hotels now offer SPG Keyless, including W Hong Kong, Aloft Beijing Haidian, W Taipei, Aloft Yancheng, Aloft Dalian, and Aloft Foshan Nanhai.
For more information about the “SPG Keyless” program, please visit spg.com/mobileapps and spgpromos.com/keyless. You can also follow us on Sina Weibo @StarwoodSPGClub and Tencent WeChat @SPG-Starwood, and join the conversation using the hashtags #spglife or #SPGLife.