With a view to setting new standards for hotel rooms, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has joined hands with its teaching and research hotel, Hotel ICON, and organized a global competition to shape guestrooms of the future.
Hotel suppliers and providers in design, technology and well-being who would like to play a part in shaping tomorrow's guestrooms were invited to share their products and knowledge through this exceptional platform. "We looked for innovations in the submissions and the response from the industry was overwhelming,” said Dr Basak Denizci Guillet, Assistant Professor of SHTM and Coordinator of the "Tomorrow's Guestrooms" project.
Highlighting the importance of industry's participation, Mr Terence Ronson, Chairman of "Tomorrow's Guestrooms" competition, said, "It is essential that the development of 'Tomorrow's Guestrooms' involves collaboration between the School and industry partners in such a way that it continues to serve as a platform to innovate, develop and showcase new technologies, hotel designs and business concepts in hotel management.”
Entrants were reviewed by an expert panel and winners have been granted the unique opportunity for their products and services to be tested and researched in three dedicated guestrooms at Hotel ICON for a period of six months.
The list of winners and their winning entries are listed and briefly described as follows:
• Neobar and E-Tray by Bartech
Fitted with energy efficient compressors using an eco-friendly refrigerant and equipped with detection capabilities, Neobar can maximize efficiency of minibar operation and optimize guest service.
• High Definition (HD) Weave Carpet by Brintons Carpets Limited
HD weave carpet is produced by a patented carpet loom that can weave up to 32 colours, offering hospitality industry unrivalled design definition and colour choice.
• SuperDock DN 7000 by DNet Solution (HK) Company Limited
Using electro-magnetic induction technology, the dock works with all kinds of smart devices with built-in speakers. It also comes with USB charger ports and alarm clock.
• Guest Communication Center (GCC)TM by Fingi, Inc. GCC is more than a bedside device. In addition to multiple charging station, it is also an IP speakerphone and can be the room Internet access point.
• AElement by Salto Systems Asia Pte Ltd.
The wireless locking system not only provides real-time control over the guestrooms, but also allows cell phone to act as contactless data carrier to open and control access controlled doors.
• TELY by Service Technology Partners Limited With TELY, the call agent can communicate visually with the guests by pushing media and information like room service, dining, way finding, etc. in real-time to the television screen.
• iFlyPad by Spicy Innovations Limited
iFlyPad works on all smartphones and tablets, providing a comfortable, ergonomic viewing experience for users. It can be used in many locations from back seats of flights to suitable surfaces in bathroom and kitchen.
• Hotel ONAIR by VDA Asia Pacific Limited
Through the cloud-based television system, the guests can experience the hotel by viewing its offerings and city attractions, and stream their own music, videos and pictures wirelessly to the television.
"Hong Kong is a city of innovation and it has a tradition of introducing innovations in the hotel industry," Mr Richard Hatter, General Manager of Hotel ICON, observed. "With 'Tomorrow's Guestrooms', Hotel ICON will be at the forefront of such innovation."
Cutting-edge research contributes to further improve and drive excellence in the hospitality industry. With the establishment of Hotel ICON, the breadth and scale of research undertaken at SHTM has expanded. "The 'Tomorrow's Guestrooms' are created to facilitate more in-depth research into the application of advanced concepts in the field of hotel management for the advancement of the entire industry," said Professor Kaye Chon, Dean and Chair Professor of SHTM and Chairman of "Tomorrow's Guestrooms" competition. "We are proud to support the industry and tomorrow’s hoteliers in this innovative way."
The three "Tomorrow's Guestrooms" are now open for reservation. Interested parties, please contact Dr Basak Denizci Guillet via e-mail: [email protected]
SHTM also wishes to thank Hotel Management Asia (www.hotelmanagement.net) being the exclusive media partner for the "Tomorrow's Guestrooms" competition.
About School of Hotel and Tourism Management
PolyU's School of Hotel and Tourism Management is a world-leading provider of hospitality and tourism education. It was ranked No. 2 internationally among hotel and tourism schools based on research and scholarship, according to a study published in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research in November 2009.
With 65 academic staff drawing from 19 countries and regions, the School offers programmes at levels ranging from Higher Diploma to Ph.D. Currently a member of the UNWTO Knowledge Network, the School was bestowed the McCool Breakthrough Award in 2012 by the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (I-CHRIE) recognising its breakthrough in the form of its teaching and research hotel – Hotel ICON – the heart of the School’s innovative approach to hospitality and tourism education.
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Press contact: Press contact: Dr Basak Denizci Guillet
Assistant Professor and Co-ordinator of "Tomorrow's Guestrooms", School of Hotel and Tourism Management
Tel: (852) 3400 2173
Email: [email protected]
Ms Pauline Ngan
Senior Marketing Manager, School of Hotel and Tourism Management
Tel: (852) 3400 2634
Email: [email protected]
