South Korea’s top hotels in Seoul are incorporating mobile technology to their hotel services to offer differentiated hospitality services.

Shinsegae Group said on Monday that it is deploying digital concierge service provider ‘Handy’ at Westin Chosun Hotel in central Seoul. The Handy, which looks like a regular mobile phone, allows hotel guests to not only make free internet calls and surf the web but also make housekeeping and room service requests like ordering meals. Also, guests can make service requests outside the hotel to have room made or meals delivered in time for their arrival.

Vista Walkerhill Seoul run by SK Networks placed virtual assistant NUGU at guest rooms. NUGU, an artificial intelligence-based speaker developed by its affiliate SK Telecom Co. plays music and provides information such as the latest weather and traffic, and also enables users to control electronics appliances on voice command. Separately, the hotel added a special zone in the lobby for guests to experience virtual reality and other latest artificial intelligence based technologies.

Grand Ambassador Seoul associated with Pullman in central Seoul recently reformed all its guests rooms on the 16th floor to make them digitally connected, and Nine Tree Premier Hotel Myeongdong II in central Seoul installed smart kiosk that allows self check-in, -out services.

By Park Eun-jin

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]