Nowadays, mostly due to the pandemic, checking into a hotel is vastly different than before. Many of us use an app on our phone, which provides us electronic access to our rooms. No checking in at the main desk, no waiting for keys to be printed, so we can enter our rooms.
It also means that the hotel chain doesn’t need a full complement of employees to deal with check-ins or check-outs. Not only do they avoid the need to deal with employees who want to work from home and not the “office”, but there’s a significant cash savings as well.
And, then, there’s what’s going on in Israel. Hotels staffing is currently about 30,000, about 1/3 lower than the pre-pandemic census.
Many of these hotels are already (50% of the hotels in Israel do so) relying on technology from Wishbox (now Duve). The hotel patron experience starts with the completion of a health questionnaire (to ensure one won’t infect the other guests); online check-in; the ordering of hotel services, tours of nearby areas; and payment on departure. All of which is done sans personal contact. All of which in the patron’s own language.
Even when guests have not pre-reserved rooms, the system can accommodate ones who have not booked in advance. In those cases, the guest dials 0 using a lobby phone, where the call is placed with a remote worker; the reservation is developed and a key is encoded.
The Fattal Chain (among others) relies on robots (on wheels), manufactured by Electra. (The hotels often “personalize” the robots with bowties and hotel uniforms to make them appear more “cuddly”.) The hotel lacks reception desks- only remote check-in is the norm. As are the keyless/cardless room doors, smart control systems that maintain comfortable temperatures in the room, food delivery systems, and WiFi.
Grubhub plans to take that robot concept one step further. They will employ robots to collect food from a hotel restaurant- or a restaurant that is approved for food service at the hotel- and bring that food to the guest’s room. No employees, no tipping- so everyone gains.
I’ll let you know how I found these services when I return from my trip to Israel. Coming any day- soon.
I have not been in a chain motel since COVID, only small mom and pop type places so I have no firsthand experience with any of these changes. But, sooner or later, I’ll be venturing out, too, and I wish you safe travels. I’m also eager to hear what you experience in the post pandemic Israel.
I’m as eager to travel (for the first time in years) as I am get to Israel, Alana.