HotelsMag March 2018 | Page 50

The Grace Santorini in Greece uses beacon technology combined with an app to highlight nearby locations shown in guest room photographs .

THE BEACONS OF THE

Contributed BY JULIANA SHALLCROSS

FUTURE

HOTELS ARE FINDING WAYS TO USE LOCATION AWARENESS TECH WITH GUESTS , EMPLOYEES AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT .

For a few years now , beacon technology has been on the up and up in hotels as a way to communicate with guests on-property . Using devices that emit Bluetooth Low Energy , messages are pushed to mobile apps about what ’ s open at the hotel , where to find certain facilities , to complete the check-in process and even advertise drink specials at the lobby bar .

Marriott International , and subsequently Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide , took the lead on beacons several years ago with beacon-powered LocalPerks offers . Early last year , Marriott announced its Mplaces beacon
48 hotelsmag . com March 2018