High Tech Hotels: theWit Doubletree, Chicago

In-room VoIP color touch screen phones connect guests with information such as weather updates, flight status, and hotel services without any human-to-human interaction. Each staff member carries an iPhone or an iPod Touch, so when a guest needs an extra pillow or bag pick up, an alert goes from the guest room phone to theWit staffer that is closest. As a result, the request is fulfilled faster.

What inspired the technology strategy at theWit?

What inspired the technology strategy at theWit? This concept & creativity began with the vision of its founder & creator, Scott Greenberg, as he wanted something unlike other hotels that were being built at the time. His goal was to employ some of the latest technology: converged networking, VoIP display phone system, IPTV guest room entertainment, RFIP & ZigBee wireless solutions, Internet everywhere, and wireless. We also wanted a completely redundant architecture when creating the computer room/MDF/heart of the technology operations, so there wouldn't be any downtime at the property.

Can you describe the technology behind the scenes at theWit? This property exudes technology that works day in and day out, which is easy to access and use. From the FourWinds Interactive digital lobby display and meeting room touch screen panels, to the NEC SV8500 VoIP touch screen display phones in each guest room that allow you to summon your car, your bags, your housekeeping and maintenance staff immediately without having to speak with anyone. This works with the MTech "HotSOS/REX" automated rapid response, a preventative maintenance and housekeeping tool which expedites staff communications via Apple iPhones & iTouch hand held devices.

As technology executives, we must always look at ways to make the technology installed work for all demographic groups within our industry. Many say the guest room phone will go away, but they might just be replaced with something that does many other functions - like direct ring down to service personnel, a message console, local alerts, music player, and so on.

What's next for theWit? We continue to look at the latest technology solutions, like using the iPad - maybe in every guest room – as well as IPTV and catered content to each guest's specific needs (Netflix, Hulu, language requirements, etc.).

We're looking at other wireless solutions, so we can continue to look forward at the technology that will improve the business intelligence requirements of our guests.

And, on the subject of charging for WiFi? My philosophy is simple; it costs money to provide, so create a model that works for your property and it's competitive set. Hotels should always provide top quality wireless & wired internet coverage to all locations, and then provide a minimum bandwidth for free, say 256k-bps; then offer tiers of bandwidth choices that can be paid on a usage basis. This way you don't cannibalize your full pipe of Internet services and can continue to provide this for whoever wants or needs this service, which is really everyone these days.