The latest version of Alexa for Hospitality has been launched, which may impact your Hawaii hotels and vacation rentals soon. Here’s how and where it could show up next in Hawaii. We want to hear your take on this.
Alexa Smart Properties service lets guests play music, check the weather, call the front desk, order room service, control room air conditioning and lighting, and check out when the time comes. That among many more possibilities. This service is designed to use voice interaction to help improve guest experiences.
Guest satisfaction is vital.
Wynn Las Vegas was one of the pioneers using the new technology, and they loved it. “Alexa is powerful because it provides natural voice experiences that offer guests an intuitive way to interact. It’s helpful, it’s personal, and it’s smart.” In a study of their guests, 86% found the system easy or very easy to use, while 84% were happy or very happy with the service.
Can you imagine saying things like, Alexa, what time is happy hour, Alexa, what are the pool hours, or Alexa, can you help me check out?
Alexa coming to Disney Hotels.
Disney properties are rolling out a Hey, Disney! feature. It will be deployed first at Walt Disney World Resort hotels next year. It is likely coming to Oahu’s Aulani soon too. Disney’s Josh D’Amamo said this will “unlock new ways for guests to engage with our iconic characters and stories.” We’re not entirely sure what that means, but it will include interactive Disney entertainment and experiences, among other things.
When staying at Disney properties, guests can say “Hey, Disney!” when they want information or to obtain food and other requests.
Do you want a smart Hawaii vacation roommate listening in?
However, some people may not be entirely excited about Alexa listening in on all your Hawaii vacation conversations.
Heading in the opposite direction to Wynn, Best Western’s president David Kong said that their Alexa pilot, which began four years ago, “did not go well…If someone wants an extra towel or to say a light isn’t working, they can use Alexa to communicate with us. But what we found out was when most people got into their hotel room, they disconnected it, presumably because they didn’t want Alexa listening.”
Watch Alexa for hospitality in action.
None of that stuff matters to us, we are old school. We return in November. Thanks for all your timely info.
Mahalo
Hi Roy.
Glad you’re returning. Will you be on Kauai again?
Aloha.
We go to Maui this time around (Kihei) However we plan Kauai next March/April (Poipu)
Take Care
I’m in the Hospitality Biz and my Guest do Not want this period becuse of the privacy issues. No thanks!
I agree with those who turn Alexa off. I don’t want anyone to listen to me unless I’m talking to that person (or thing, I guess) directly. Alexa gives me the creeps.
Same here, when we checked into a Florida resort last week there was an Alexa sitting on the table ready to listen to us. We unplugged it. No thank you!