A “smart hotel” in Shanghai

News of a “smart hotel” opening in Shanghai, China got techies, app developers and hoteliers talking up a storm last week, as the property transcodes integrated mobile communications tech into a complete hotel experience – not just a conduit for electronic payments and transactions.

Developed by InterContinental and powered by WeChat (one of China’s biggest messaging app-and-service suites), the “smart hotel” allows guests to book rooms, activate check ins, call for room service, avail of special vouchers, check out from the hotel and more using the WeChat app – all without the assistance of a human service crew.

More than a cut-and-dry integration of WeChat’s communication features into the hotel’s operations, the technology’s implementation covers identity validation through facial recognition, the issuance of a “digital key card” which serves as a guest’s room/suite key and more.

Advanced utilization of facial recognition tech are among the integration’s novel aspects – like, to avail of special breakfast vouchers, guests simply need to have their faces scanned to gain access to the hotel’s dining area.

Though not the first to work with WeChat’s interactive capabilities for bookings, payment, transactions and other machine-aided interactions, the hotel is primed towards setting new standards in the overall hospitality and accommodation sectors – metaphorically stating that there’s more to messaging apps/platforms than apps for chatting with friends.