What are hotel robots?
A hotel robot is a device that can carry out tasks to ease the workload and improve hotel operations. It empowers your hotel to work more efficiently and become more streamlined, all while enhancing the guest experience. Robots come in many shapes and forms, depending on the tasks they are supposed to carry out.
Why hotels are embracing robots
“Hiring” a robot as a team member is a wise financial decision. Besides offering top-notch service, it takes the pressure off your staff without hiring extra human resources. Although they used to be costly, robots have become a part of our everyday lives thanks to closing the cost gap. These devices can be used to your hotel’s advantage, helping meet guests’ needs more efficiently.
With immersive technology redefining how we interact with the world, why not use it to offer first-class service? In a world of overstimulation, hoteliers must find a way to stand apart from the crowd, engage guests and quickly enact service requests, and embracing robots may be the solution.
Types of hotel robots
There are several types of hotel robots that have been built with different purposes. Let’s explore them.
Room service robots
Hiring someone to deliver room service isn't the most efficient use of resources. Here's where a robot comes in – your F&B team can load up the device in the hotel kitchen and send it on its way. The advantages? Shorter wait times, fresher food, and more time for your staff to focus on other tasks.
Concierge services
First impressions are super important for the guest experience. Why not have a robot greet guests and show them where they need to go? It can also wait for new arrivals and show them to the reception for check-in. If your hotel has 24-hour service, a robot can reduce the number of people needed late at night or early morning.
Beyond greeting the guests, they can also give directions to rooms or share recommendations of nearby sights and activities, working in a complementary way to the concierge.
F&B staff
It may seem surprising, but robots can also be servers. They can take orders or help deliver them, speeding up food delivery at your hotel’s restaurant. You can train robots to move freely around the restaurant or have them stick to an established route. All of this can improve guest satisfaction.
General service robots
Many housekeeping tasks can be sped up with the help of general service robots. They can deliver dirty sheets to the laundry facilities without dragging down the housekeeping cart, or you can use them to bring an extra pillow to guest rooms upon request.
Housekeeping robots
Many people have a robot that helps keep their homes clean. Hotels can do the same, letting robots vacuum while housekeeping staff carries out other tasks. In public areas, they can vacuum during less busy times of the day or at night to avoid the risk of accidents.
Advantages of hotel robots
Robots can offer an excellent guest experience by making your hotel more guest-centric. As they take over manual tasks, your staff can focus on more guest-oriented tasks. The use of robots also signals to guests that your hotel is tech-forward.
While the initial investment may be significant, robots can help cut costs in the long run. No more hiring extra staff to take care of tedious tasks, which is great news for staff retention. The more engaged your team is, the more likely they'll stay.
Future trends in hotel robotics
In the future, you can expect to see more robots implemented across hotel departments to increase operational efficiency. Also, in case you were wondering – robots won't replace humans but support them in daily tasks. Think about boosting the guest experience, speeding up service, delivering optimal housekeeping and revolutionizing the check-in experience.
Remember when cloud-based systems were all new, and now we can't imagine hospitality without them? Robots are likely heading in this direction, too. With implementation costs becoming increasingly more competitive, it's only natural that guests will start to see robots in more hotels.
Conclusion
We've examined how robots are transforming the hospitality industry, their advantages, the device types, and future trends. They'll likely become an integral part of the hotel experience, supporting staff and improving the guest experience without sacrificing the human touch – the vital element of the hospitality journey.
When implemented correctly, they can save your hotel money and help automate manual tasks while freeing up staff to focus on revenue-driving activities. "Should I use robots in my hotel operations?" is no longer a question – it's about how to use robots to enhance every aspect of your hotel.
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