AI and Hospitality: How AI Is Creating Smart Hotels
The hospitality industry is undergoing a significant transformation, making it increasingly dynamic. As guest preferences evolve and the demand for personalized experiences grows, hoteliers need to become more tech-savvy by integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).
Tools that integrate these technologies, from smart thermostats to robots that guide guests throughout the day, allow hotel staff to become more efficient by streamlining their routine tasks.
In this article, we'll dive into the future of AI in the hospitality industry, the role of AI in smart hotels, and the challenges faced during implementation.
What Are Smart Hotels?
Smart hotels may sound like a luxury for some hoteliers, but they've become a standard that modern guests expect. A smart hotel room uses cutting-edge technologies such as AI, IoT, and robot concierges that enhance guest experience and automate repetitive tasks.
Smart hotel tech allows guests to customize their room settings using mobile devices or tablets such as regulating room temperature, lighting, or in-room entertainment. At the same time, it helps hotel staff with routine operations and increases their efficiency. Luxury hotel chains such as Marriott, Hilton, and Mandarin Oriental have turned their hotels into smart palaces. ‘
One such hotel that uses robots to serve its guests is Hilton. The hotel partnered with IBM to develop a robot named Connie. Connie does not need breaks and works round the clock to serve guests. It enhances guests' experience by suggesting nearby local attractions, places to eat, and other information related to the hotel.
In a nutshell, smart hotels not only digitize the guest experience, but also reduce hotelier costs by saving energy (for example, by turning off room lights when a guest is not in the room). Thus, hoteliers can offer a better guest experience through automation.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Smart Hotels
Artificial intelligence is a game changer for hotels, resorts, and B&Bs as it’s not confined to streaming hotel operations; rather, it plays a significant role in enhancing guest experience and boosting the profitability of hotels. Let’s discuss some of the ways AI can bring positive change to smart hotels:
Enhances Guest Experience
Chatbots and virtual assistants have become more intelligent as they help hotel staff with simplifying booking processes, automating routine operations, and offering tailored recommendations to guests. A smart room uses AI-powered technology to learn guest preferences and adjust accordingly, such as by regulating room temperature, controlling lighting, and fine-tuning a room's settings. This creates a home-like feel and atmosphere for guests.
AI-powered chatbots can handle guest queries and provide them with real-time answers. Whenever a guest has a concern, chatbots and virtual assistants are available 24-7 to offer assistance.
Increases Operational Efficiency
Becoming a tech-forward hotel can help hoteliers save on costs. An AI-powered revenue management system can offer dynamic pricing, using algorithms to adjust room prices by considering competitor prices and market demand. It also allows human staff to be more efficient. Robots free up staff to focus on building relationships with guests.
Future AI Trends in Hospitality
In this hyper-competitive world, technology is the main driver taking the hospitality industry to the next level. Leading technologies such as AI and ML have taken the lead in turning ordinary buildings into smart hotels through:
AI-Driven Personalization
With the help of AI, hoteliers can create detailed guest profiles by collecting guest data from various sources, such as past stays, purchasing habits, guest preferences, etc. When a guest arrives, a smart hotel room could automatically make room adjustments according to the guest's preferences, by changing the temperature, lighting, or music playlist.
AR/VR Experiences
Through augmented reality and virtual reality, hoteliers can provide immersive experiences to guests, transporting them to virtual worlds and offering customized journeys.
Blockchain-Based Loyalty Programs
Blockchain-based rewards can help hoteliers manage reward systems. Points are stored on a distributed ledger so guests can track them at any time of the day and even trade tokens on a cryptocurrency exchange. When blended with blockchain technology, AI will offer personalized recommendations to guests by considering various factors such as guest’s stay history, point spending pattern, etc.
An AI-powered system can also help hoteliers maximize revenues by predicting guest behavior. For example, if a guest has redeemed blockchain rewards for spa services in the past, AI can predict that the guest will likely do the same the next time they visit. If a hotelier knows when there will be demand for spa appointments, they can upsell their services or create packages to maximize earning potential.
Advanced Robots
Robots may differ in shape and size, but their main purpose is to help hotel staff focus on serving their guests. It will become commonplace to see robots utilized in every department of a hotel, and not confined to performing simple hotel operations. They will be doing complex tasks, such as doing full room cleaning, offering spa services, etc.
Common AI Challenges Faced by Smart Hotels
Let’s now talk about some of challenges of implementing AI in smart hotels:
Integration Difficulties
Many hotels rely on old legacy property management systems (PMS) that may not be compatible with modern AI solutions. Even if a legacy system supports AI integration, hotel staff may resist adopting the new technology as they are more familiar with outdated systems.
Increased Cost
For small-sized hotels, implementing AI may require a major investment in hardware, software, and servers. There are also training expenses to consider. Cloud-based solutions can be a cost-effective alternative.
FAQs About AI and Hospitality
How is AI used in hospitality?
In the hospitality industry, AI can be used to enhance guest experiences, turn collected data into actionable insights, help with dynamic pricing, and allow hoteliers to make smart decisions.
What is the future of AI in the hotel industry?
As guests demand more personalized experiences, hoteliers are leveraging AI technology to personalize the guest journey from pre- to post-stay. Guests, especially millennials and Gen Zers, are tech-savvy and want hoteliers to have the latest technology.
What is a potential challenge of implementing AI in the hospitality industry?
First, it may be difficult for hoteliers who use legacy software to integrate existing processes with new technology. Next, implementing new technology can be expensive. Lastly, it requires hoteliers to train all staff—from the housekeeping department to front desk employees—on the use of the technology.
About the Author
Post by: Sameer Gupta
Sameer Gupta is a seasoned SEO executive and content strategist who specializes in innovation and automation in the hospitality industry. As the driving force behind Botshot.ai, he focuses on transforming guest experiences with advanced hotel automation solutions. With expertise in AI-driven strategies, sustainability, and revenue management, Sameer has contributed to leading platforms like CEOWORLD Magazine and Raconteur.
Company: BOTSHOT
Website: www.botshot.ai
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