Many of the individual elements of the tech-led hotel are in place, but a hotel in Norway has joined all the dots together, creating a completely human-free experience.
Combining check-in/out and guest management software from France-based Ariane Systems with room door technology from OpenWays, visitors to the Comfort Xpress Hotel in Oslo will soon be able to complete their entire stay without ever speaking to a member of staff.
Once a customer has booked their stay over the web or call centre they can use their reference details to carry out a number of processes which effectively automate the entire process.
Before arrival at the hotel, similar to an airline check-in service, guests can notify the property of their arrival and complete passport registration for overseas guests, select a room and other services through Ariane's system - a platform which is integrated with the hotel or chain's back-end reservation platform.
When the customer actually arrives at the property they either pick up a keycard from a kiosk in the foyer or can be sent a mobile key system provided by OpenWays, a provider of mobile door systems which unveiled a mobile app for its technology in March 2010.
The keycard works on a RFID system which includes the customer's details and pre-assigned services, so it can be used elsewhere around the hotel or for in-room services.
The mobile key version works by emitting a unique ring tone to open the room door, says Ariane UK managing director, Miles Gaudoin.
Meanwhile, during the duration of the stay, guest services are run entirely from the hotel's site or via the mobile, covering areas such as restaurant bookings, leisure services including spa treatments as well as activities in the local area which can be booked through the hotel.
Finally, guests can check-out from their mobile device at any time, even once they have left the property, settling outstanding charges via secure payment systems.
Ariane says it is working with a string of major hotel chains, including Hilton, IHG and Rezidor, to roll out various parts of its technology around the world.