Hotels of the future

Lifestyles are changing and in 2018 the UN forecast that 60% of people will live in cities by 2030. The private rental sector is growing with 56% of all consumers saying that home ownership is less important than it used to be. Investment in the hotels and leisure sector of real estate is up 3% from 2018. So, what will our hotels look like in a few years time?

Co-living

Many new hotels incorporate apartments and long-term rentals. There’s been a rise in the ‘subscription society’ where people prefer to rent rather than own, from music, cars, homes and furniture. Co-living is on the increase. It gives people flexibility to move quickly, have their rent, bill and fees in one payment and live in a community with good leisure and social facilities.

Personalisation

In all industries there is a trend for personalisation, which is being driven by big data. Guests in hotels want to be treated as individuals, rather than just another customer. Hotels can log guests’ preferences, offer similar services to those they have requested previously or at other hotels in the same group.

Smart Hotels

Hotels are now using internet-enabled devices, which can send data to one another. Smart hotel designs allow guests to control the heating or air conditioning from their phone, or turn on the TV by giving a voice command to a smart speaker. Smart bedrooms can automatically adjust things like the brightness of light bulbs, or the temperature of a radiator to maintain the guest’s preferred conditions. Superfast internet and strong Wi-Fi coverage is essential for business travellers. They would also like wireless charging devices, an app on their mobile phone for the room controls, Bluetooth keyless locks and electric vehicle charging points.

Artificial Intelligence

Chatbots can be used to improve customer service. Firstly, there is no language barrier and they can replace personal contact at check-in and check-out, reducing waiting times and giving quick and clever answers to questions. They can also take orders for room service, guide guests around the hotel, deliver products to bedrooms or meeting rooms, answer questions about the hotel or the surrounding area, order a taxi and they work 24/7. Although still having someone on reception to talk to is crucial.

Bleisure Travel

Combined business travel and leisure travel is increasing, particularly among the millennial generation. Many conference and meeting attendees will stay on after their event to experience the destination, take part in local activities and use locally sourced products. One of the barriers is the booking processes, transferring from a company paid stay to leisure. If the same hotel wants the guest to stay for both parts of their trip, they need to appeal to both markets, rather than the guest transferring to Airbnb for their leisure stay.