Accor Hotels, have certainly moved to raise the bar in customer satisfaction, with the development of their new “Smart Room” offering. In a series of predictions for 2018, the hotel group have, at #7 listed the “room for everyone”. Described as also meeting the needs of those with reduced mobility, Accor say that the room will be equipped with voice activation and door assisted openers.
The hotel chain has a design solutions team, headed by Damien Perrot, who said:
“We have envisioned a room for everyone, with design and creativity adhering to PRM standards and practices to the point that they disappear to the benefit of emotion and sensorial experience. This innovation can be tailored to all our brands in all segments. It reflects the Group's desire to pave the way towards positive hospitality and to respond to the concerns and requirements of all our guests”.
The growing appetite for change has certainly been growing over recent years with the disabled community. As many tourists with accessibility needs have voiced opinions of poor quality hotels on sites like our own at triability.net. And whilst these changes are a most welcome innovation, it is hopefully just the start of things to come. Hotel chains whom offer an array of services, such as swimming pools, spas and gymnasiums might wish to reflect on the idea that those with a disability might wish to avail of these areas too.
AccorHotels' new Smart Room. Photo credit: AccorHotels
Damien Perrot also commented: “With this concept, our goal is to inspire the hotel market by introducing a new approach to the ‘partner relationship management’ room, which is often unoccupied, not very welcoming, and stigmatizing.” However, we would contend that there is empirical evidence to show that many of these rooms are often booked because they are more spacious than their equivalent standard. For this reason, it will be interesting to see if all of the hotel rooms will be designed with the smart features which include –
- A wardrobe finished with sliding rods and shelving for easy access to clothes.
- LED lighting within footboards, incorporating motion sensors to facilitating movement at night.
- A television positioned on a 180-degree swivel panel.
- A bathroom equipped with an adjustable showerhead, a folding and adjustable shower seat, a height-adjustable sink with a range of 70 centimetres to 90 centimetres, or 28 inches to 36 inches. Designer grab rails.
- Sleeping aids, including a device that promotes both concentration and sleep, and a headband with integrated brain energy sensors and a relaxation system.
- Customisable olfactory atmospheres with Sensorwake to create an awakening experience to the aromas of either coffee, tea or sea breeze, as well as shower capsules perfumed with essential oils.
- A connected tablet to adjust light and music, close curtains, tilt the guestroom bed's headboard and control audio-visual equipment.
By Michael Holden MBE
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