LONDON - Hilton Worldwide today announced that its pioneering digital check-in and room selection technology is now live across more than 4,100 hotels spanning 11 brands worldwide. This includes more than 260 hotels across Europe, Middle East and Africa. A first for the hospitality industry, the scale of the digital rollout marks the largest of its kind to date across the sector.
Through their Hilton HHonors accounts, guests will be able to check-in and choose their exact room from digital floor plans, or lists, on desktop, tablet and mobile devices. They will also be able to further customise their stay by requesting upgrades or making special requests with the simple click of a button.
Geraldine Calpin, global head of digital at Hilton Worldwide, said, "Digital check-in and room selection puts our guests in the driving seat and gives them unprecedented choice and control across their entire stay. Never before have guests been able to check-in, select their room from a digital floor plan and customise their room ready for arrival. We are truly revolutionising the industry and this is just the tip of the iceberg for digital at Hilton Worldwide."
To coincide with the global rollout, Hilton Worldwide has also launched an update to its Hilton HHonors iOS app, which will provide a stunning new interface as well as improved functionality.
Simon Vincent, executive vice president and president, Europe, Middle East & Africa for Hilton Worldwide, said, "As a business, we have always prided ourselves on leading the pack - we were the first to put televisions in hotel rooms and now we are the first to let you choose your room - right down to the exact room number. With a 95-year history of delivering industry-transforming offerings, Hilton Worldwide will continue to enrich the guest experience on a major scale across our brands and regions. Hot off the tails of the US launch, we look forward to our guests across the region benefiting from the most personalised digital service yet."
Last month, Hilton Worldwide announced that mobile key technology, which gives guests the ability to unlock their hotel room doors with their smartphone and to go straight to their rooms upon arrival, will be available in the US across four of its brands in 2015 - Hilton Hotels & Resort, Canopy by Hilton, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, and Conrad Hotel & Resorts. By the end of 2016, this technology will be available across the majority of rooms worldwide.
This latest announcement forms part of a wider digital strategy which has seen Hilton Worldwide launch bookable websites in 22 different languages along with enhanced customer service via social media. For example @HiltonSuggests helps travellers on Twitter explore a destination by providing insider tips - from restaurants and attractions, to hotels - via a team of local contributors from across Hilton Worldwide's global network.
To experience the new digital check-in and room selection functionality, simply download the Hilton HHonors app here and join the free Hilton HHonors guest-loyalty programme. Hilton HHonors members that qualify for a free upgrade will also be able to request this via the new Hilton HHonors app in advance of their arrival, subject to availability.
The industry-leading loyalty-programme offers more than 42 million members more ways to earn and redeem points, enabling them to create experiences worth sharing at more than 4,250 hotels in 93 countries and territories.
