Yet the metaverse isn ’ t just one place . It refers to several digital realms where people , using avatars , can game , explore , shop , work or just hang out . The kids who played Roblox non-stop while the pandemic kept them home from school ? Those are the youngest users of the metaverse . The rap star holding a virtual concert in the Fortnight game ? That ’ s |
how entertainment happens in the metaverse . The piece of “ real estate ” in Decentraland that sold for US $ 2.4 million ? That ’ s how investing works in the metaverse .
“ The opportunities for transactions are insane ,” Keen says , adding that the world is only right at the beginning of the metaverse economy . “ We have a hell of a long way to go in
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terms of how it ’ s going work .” So far , hotel brands have only dipped their toes into the metaverse , largely through selling NFTs . Marriott Bonvoy unveiled three NFTs at Art Basel Miami which were auctioned off at the annual art show , along with 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points . Also at Art Basel , SLS South Beach and SLS Brickell announced a partnership with NFT BAZL to create exclusive NFTs that incorporate hotel perks , VIP memberships and access to other events . The Dream Hotel in Hollywood recently opened an NFT exhibit in their lobby in partnership with The Crypt Gallery to display and sell digital NFTs .
But a new hotel brand wants to make the metaverse the place where all of its social programming and meetings will happen . Roomza is a roomsonly hotel concept founded by Curtis Crimmins that ’ s set to open in Seattle , Washington , Austin , Texas , and New York City in 2023 and 2024 . Operating within mixed-use buildings and typically only on
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two floors , Roomza provides guest rooms but not much else . There ’ s no lobby , there ’ s no bar and there ’ s no meeting room . However , when a guest stays at a Roomza ( or opts for a Roomza membership ), they will have access to all the Roomza offerings in the metaverse — from virtual lounges and bars to virtual meeting spaces .
“ The novelty is when you ’ re in a Roomza , you can go to our [ digital ] lobby bar , and you can sit next to someone and have a drink and they ’ re in Dusseldorf and you ’ re in New York City ,” Crimmins explains . “ There could be a cool interactive drink menu that floats in front of you and you could make the same cocktails [ in your room ] and have a global experience , right from the comfort of your room .”
The opportunity for Roomza to host meetings in the metaverse is also exciting , Crimmins says . Spurred by Microsoft founder Bill Gates ’ belief that most virtual meetings in the future will happen in the metaverse , Crimmins has been wondering how Roomza could leverage virtual conventions
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