Smart hotel rooms leave guests struggling to turn the lights on (and off)
Hotels ditch robots for human touch as guests struggle with tech
- Many hotels now offer verbal tech walkthroughs at check-in to help guests navigate increasingly sophisticated room technology.
- A Hotels.com survey found that 52 per cent of hotels now provide these explanations, as guests struggle with advanced features like smart lighting, Wi-Fi, and entertainment systems.
- Despite technological advancements, 70% of hotels reported that guests prefer human interaction, particularly during check-in and for support.
- Hotels are under pressure to upgrade technology, with 56 per cent focusing on 'comfort tech' such as smart TVs, Bluetooth speakers, and advanced bathroom features like digital water controls.
- While some hotels experiment with robots and AI concierges, others have removed automated features, finding that warm, personalised human service is preferred by guests.