In the news: This week we focus on two hospitality companies – Ascott rolls out smart home technologies, and Starwood launches 10th brand – a portfolio of independent hotels and resorts
Ascott turns residences into smart homes with the Internet of Things
Smart living experiences with the Internet of Things (Image credit: macrovector/iStock)
The Ascott Limited (Ascott) is set to offer guests a seamless smart living experience by using the Internet of Things technology to enable them to control and manage devices within the serviced residence.
This is through a single application, which connects personal and home devices – from refrigerators and washing machines to smart TVs, smartphones and even wearable devices — through an integrated platform and server.
Ascott has entered into an exclusive partnership with Samsung Asia to jointly develop Internet of Things-ready for smart solutions customised for its serviced residences.
The company said this would make Ascott the first global serviced residence company to embrace smart home technologies.
It aims to test bed the new technologies at selected Ascott serviced residences by the first half of 2016, with plans to roll out to its properties across over 20 countries globally in phases.
Ascott serviced residence, guests will be able to use customised settings on their mobile devices or smart TV to control one or multiple devices simultaneously no matter where they are, for example turning on the air conditioning or monitoring laundry cycle.
Guests can also use their smartphones to get real-time views of the serviced residence via in-built appliance cameras within an air conditioner or robot cleaner. In addition, Ascott’s housekeeping staff can be promptly notified when it is time to service appliances, keep the laundry or replace consumables.
Lee Chee Koon, Ascott’s chief executive officer, said the Internet of Things technology would enable the company to better understand the lifestyle and preferences of our guests and to anticipate their needs.
“Ascott aims to transform these complex data into useful information to improve customer experience and operational efficiency”
Lee added some of these smart home technologies might also be adopted by the other business units within the CapitaLand Group (Ascott is a CapitaLand’s wholly-owned serviced residence business unit).
Ascott’s guests will get to try out the new smart technologies and appliances in specially designed Samsung Experience suites or residents’ lounges in selected Ascott properties for a trial period.
Starwood launches new hotel brand – Tribute Portfolio
Royal Palm South Beach Miami, a Tribute Portfolio resort (Image credit: Starwood)
Starwood has launched its 10th brand and second collection of independent hotels and resorts, Tribute Portfolio, which focuses on what the group calls “upper upscale hotels”.
The group’s first new brand in eight years makes its debut with the famed Royal Palm South Beach Miami, with plans to open four new hotels in Asheville (North Carolina), Nashville (Tennessee), Savannah (Georgia), and Charleston (South Carolina) in the coming months.
Adam Aron, Starwood’s chief executive officer, said: “Our mission with Tribute Portfolio is very simple – bring great hotels in great destinations to our loyal SPG members,who make up more than half of all Starwood stays.”
He added that independent hotels also attract guests who are not already affiliated with SPG. Tribute Portfolio will provide the opportunity for the group grow its SPG member base.
As with Starwood’s other nine brands, SPG members will be able to earn and redeem Starpoints at Tribute Portfolio hotels and enjoy in-hotel elite tier benefits, such as upgrades, welcome amenities, late check-out and more.
Aron revealed Starwood’s goal is to have 100 Tribute Portfolio hotels and resorts over the next five years. Initial focus on growth of this new brand will be in North America and Europe, and travellers can expect to see Tribute Portfolio properties in global markets within the first year.
Dave Marr, Starwood’s senior vice president of brand management, North America and global brand leader for Tribute Portfolio added: “Nearly 50% of upper upscale hotels in the U.S. are independent, and likewise, 60% of four star hotels globally are not affiliated with a brand flag. This provides Starwood with a vast landscape to grow Tribute Portfolio.”
Starwood has launched an extensive global campaign to promote Tribute Portfolio in digital, social and traditional media channels, including advertising in both consumer and B2B print and digital outlets and event activations in key global markets.
