Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts heralds E-Concierge era.

IPads are available in each of its 24 hotels regionally and, in the first instance, are being used by front-of-house Guest Relations and Concierge teams.

As well as facilitating requests relating to local events, restaurant enquiries and general hotel information, the popular devices help staff deal with potential guests regarding bookings and services.

The Swiss chain is not rolling out a standardised service – but rather looking at the device to take the traditional hotelier-guest experience to a new personalised, electronic level.

For example, guests accessing the hotels’ Club Lounges and libraries have the opportunity to download their favourite newspapers, magazines and novels directly to their iPads, as well as videos and other new media.

Roger MacFarlaine, Vice President Technology, Middle East & Asia, believes many tech-savvy travellers will find the iPad service beneficial.

“Technology must not just be there for the wow factor, it must deliver real business value and benefit our guests, this is what we expect to see from this development,” he said. “With a world of applications and online services in tow, iPad use is only going to grow.”

For new-look ‘e-concierge’ staff, it means not only dealing with immediate guest requests electronically, but also maintaining an outward perspective, connecting to apps such as AroundMe and Arounder Touch – where they can channel relevant information back to guests to improve their overall hospitality experience.

Individual hotels are already using the service in different, innovative ways. Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain will be soon using the iPads and will be given to guest to know more about the dining out places and guide them to many different places.

At the Mövenpick Hotel Qassim, iPads are given to guests after their meals by the restaurant manager, and asked to complete an online survey in English or Arabic.

The Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach is leading the way for full service iPad applications in guest rooms, in conjunction with iRiS Software Systems, and developing more beneficial concepts. By using this wireless system guests can tailor their preferences wherever they are in the hotel, and select specific services from the ‘Personalise my stay’ feature.

“We believe applications like the iRiS Personal Valet are leading the way,” added MacFarlaine. “At Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts we are not only looking to deliver excellence to our guests today, but committed to being at the cutting edge to ensure we attract the next generation of customers to our brand.”