In a first step towards a fully multi-platform guest experience, Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels has released an iPhone app aimed at coalescing guest experience before, during and after a stay at one of the brand's 72 hotels and resorts.
The clean interface reflects the Shangri-La luxury experience, allowing users to find hotels, book rooms, and manage all things related to the Golden Circle loyalty program.
We especially enjoy the sleek picture slider - as users scroll through the navigation, the image slides gently along as well.
Each of the brand's properties are available to peruse. Information is available on each property, including email address, map location, and various property amenities.
For booking, users can choose the country and city, and then select the desired property. After entering the desired stay dates, rooms can be seen across categories. A photo and short description is provided for each room category.
Add-ons are offered after choosing a particular room, allowing guests to save money by bundling services all at once. This will surely drive revenue for properties, as guests will likely be more inclined to purchase convenient items such as airport transfers, dining credits, laundry, and spa treatments prior to arrival. A button to "Calculate Estimated Bill" is handy to see expected costs before purchasing.
The final step conveniently offers to import currently existing account information, making the booking process seamless once guests have determined the where, when and what.
Another very useful feature for Shangri-La loyalists is the Offers section, which has a "Top 10 Offers" button at the top. This allows users to quickly see properties around the world that are offering Golden Circle-specific deals.
Shangri-La is keen to continue to provide technology solutions that work for their guests.
"We realize how valuable it is to build an interactive relationship with our guests and members, and that's why Shangri-La is offering them additional touch points through this first generation of our new mobile app," said Wee Kee Ng, director of corporate loyalty and partner marketing of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.
"As part of our global mobile strategy which included the successful launch of the group's new website in May, Shangri-La also offers free Wi-Fi in all areas of every one of the group's hotels, including the guestrooms, public areas, restaurants, lounges and function areas. All these initiatives will empower our guests and members by allowing full engagement with our hotels at their convenience."
This is the first volley on the iPhone app front; Shangri-La plans to release the next version of the app in Q1 2013; upcoming features include more hotel-specific features such as retreiving room voicemails, setting wake up calls, restaurant table reservations and ordering in-room dining.