CHECKING IN

A guest check-in/-out device being tested at the Crowne Plaza Addison/Near the Galleria in Dallas may eliminate the need for the traditional front desk, says hotel operator Six Continents.

A partnership between Six Continents and Micros Systems has resulted in use of the OPERAPalm Reservations System, a handheld computer that allows hotel personnel to remotely check people in and out.

The portability and ease of use of OPERAPalm aims to eliminate common traveler complaints such as long lines at the front desk and having to answer the same questions again and again.

John Klukan, general manager of the Crowne Plaza Addison, says it takes a week for an employee to become familiar with the handheld, compared to the four to six weeks of training in the old system.

Also using the OPERA Palm system: The Bryant Park Hotel in New York.

The wireless local area network (LAN) technology from Symbol Technologies allows employees of that high-tech hotel to enter information about a guest into a handheld computer as well as verify room information. Guests swipe their credit cards through a magnetic stripe reader to automate checkin.

In addition, each floor of the Bryant Park has a private butler who is equipped with that Symbol handheld computer. He or she can use it to order food, request amenities, expedite check-out and verify charges.