Travel Secrets Nov-Dec 2015 | Page 24

#TrendingNow Connect with Like-Minded Travellers Apps, gadgets and ideas to know and try The Marriott Mobile App The newly launched Marriott Mobile App will make it easier for the global hotel chain’s guests to access a wide variety of services related to their stay. The app allows guests to make reservations at nearly 4,000 hotels and resorts across 70 countries and is equipped with a GPS to find a hotel near you if you are in a new city. Apart from making checking in and out much easier, the app also lets you access photos of hotels and view amenities before making a reservation. Mesmo is a nifty new open-platform app that lets you connect with like-minded travellers based on your common interests and activities before, during and after your trip. Simply set up a profile including a profile picture, introduce yourself in 140 characters, list your favourite hobbies, interests and activities and you’re off! Source: www.mesmo.me Source: www.mobileapp.marriott.com YOTEL’s Yawn Campaign The low-cost hotel chain YOTEL has introduced SmartBeds which serves as a multi-purpose mattress. At the touch of a button the flatbed converts to a sofa, thus offering a multifunctional space for both work and sleep. The innovative hotel chain has also launched YAWN: an inhouse sleep-promoting campaign that includes a visual and audio soundtrack developed by a documentary filmmaker, promising to put even the most restless guests to sleep Source: www.yotel.com 24  Travel Secrets November-December 2015 Eco-conscious Hotel Bookings Switzerland-based GreenHotelWorld allows ecoconscious travellers to offset the carbon emissions of their hotel stay.The website has listed more than 1,30,000 hotels in 107 countries, enabling travellers to browse and book their ‘green’ accommodation online. How does it work? GreenHotelWorld ensures all users’ stays are carbon neutral — by compensating the CO2 emissions of the less eco-responsible accommodation options free of charge. Source: www.greenhotelworld.com