Amazon is aiming to simplify the guest experience in the hotel industry, partnering with Marriott International to introduce Alexa for Hospitality.
Amazon Echo will be set up in guest rooms so visitors can use Alexa for a variety of services. The service then becomes the hub of the room, providing a voice-controlled hotel experience for residents.
Its function in a hotel environment includes providing guests with information about the hotel and nearby activities, requesting amenities or housekeeping, ordering room service, playing music in their room and more.
Amazon partnered with Marriot International to debut the service, which will roll out across five Marriott Hotels, Westin Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, Aloft Hotels, and Autograph Collection Hotels properties starting this summer.
“Customers tell us they love how easy it is to get information, enjoy entertainment, and control connected devices by simply asking Alexa, and we want to offer those experiences everywhere customers want them,” said Daniel Rausch, Vice President, Amazon. "Alexa for Hospitality makes your hotel stay a little more like being at home and gives hospitality providers new ways to create memorable stays for their guests.”
“So many of our guests use voice technology in their home, and we want to extend that convenience to their travel experience,” said Jennifer Hsieh, Vice President Customer Experience Innovation, Marriott International.
The Alexa for Hospitality experience can be customised by the hoteliers, giving operators the ability to choose the default music stations to match the hotel’s brand, adding relevant contacts or advice where necessary, and more.
For example, guests at Marriott Hotels will be able to take advantage of the brand’s partnership with TED and request Alexa to play an inspirational TED talk.
Guests will soon be able to allow Amazon customers to temporarily sign-in to Alexa using their account with their preferred setting and preferences.
