It seems that every week a new tablet device has launched or a new robot is being introduced to do the work of a person -- and hotels that know what's up have made sure to stock up on new technologies. While some spots have simply added Kindle rentals to their amenity checklist (not that we're complaining, Four Seasons Maui), others have gone above and beyond in terms of incorporating modern technologies into everyday hospitality.
Although vacation is traditionally a time to get away from the technology that all-too-frequently controls us, these hotels use modern tech as a tool to do away with work. There is an idea we can all get behind.
--Rachel Jacoby, Oyster.com
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The Technology: Yobot
<strong>Found At: <a href="http://www.oyster.com/new-york-city/hotels/yotel/">Yotel -- New York City</a></strong> If this futuristic hotel wasn't cool enough, the folks beyond Yotel in New York City took their technology to new heights by introducing Yobot, a 15-foot automated luggage handler. Essentially, the robot selects and movse luggage from a very large luggage rack in order to organize all of the pieces received each day during check-in. And since the hotel is just so hip, what better way to introduce Yobot than through a <a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/45f86e443c/celebrity-robot-audition?rel=player">hilarious Funny or Die video</a>?
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The Technology: Touch-Screen In-Room Console
<strong>Found At: <a href="http://www.oyster.com/london/hotels/the-halkin/">The Halkin -- London</a></strong> This 41-room boutique hotel exudes luxury -- and spares no expense when it comes to catering to their guests. Sumptuous and spacious rooms literally offer convenience at the touch of a button, as all have wall consoles for calling the butler and other services including light switches and temperature controls.
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The Technology: Flat-Screen TVs (in the bathroom mirrors!)
<strong>Found At: <a href="http://www.oyster.com/new-york-city/hotels/the-setai-fifth-avenue/">The Setai Fifth Avenue -- New York City</a></strong> Opulence is discreet at the Setai in New York; the Asian-inspired designs are luxurious without being gaudy. The same applies for its technology: While each guest room does have a 52-inch flat screen television, each bathroom has its own set embedded into the mirror. Now you can wash up with Matt, Savannah, and the whole <em>Today </em>show gang. (<a href="http://www.oyster.com/about/videos-about-oyster/#video=oyster-on-the-today-show&category=in-the-news">Have you seen us on the show yet?</a>)
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The Technology: Retinal-Scan Room Entry
<strong>Found At: <a href="http://www.oyster.com/boston/hotels/nine-zero-hotel/">Nine Zero Hotel -- Boston</a></strong> While the Cloud Suite at Nine Zero could set you back a whopping $20,000 for a two-night stay, the hotel makes sure your every wish is taken care of and that no stone during your stay is left unturned. Private jet transportation is offered, champagne and caviar are always at beckon call, as is the on-site chauffeur. But you never need to worry about losing your room key -- the retinal scan ensures you (and <em>only </em>you, besides the staff, duh) have access to your pricey space.
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The Technology: Infrared Body Heat Scanners
<strong>Found At: <a href="http://www.oyster.com/seattle/hotels/hotel-1000/">Hotel 1000 - Seattle</a></strong> Upon entry into a room at Seattle's Hotel 1000, the electronic doorbell silently scans the space with infrared sensors to detect body heat so that the staff knows when you're in and out of your room -- and thus never disrupts you during your stay.
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The Technology: BlueLounge Sanctuary Chargers
<strong>Found At: <a href="http://www.oyster.com/boston/hotels/w-boston/">W Boston</a></strong> Tech-savvy travelers usually bring a multitude of toys with them on their travels (think portable DVD player, work laptop, iPad, etc.). Keeping the chargers straight can be a hassle, but the W Boston has the answer: Its nifty BlueLounge Sanctuary Chargers, offerred in most room types, are compatible with over 1,500 devices -- enough to accommodate any gadget-heavy guest.
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The Technology: "Smart Cart" Room Service
<strong>Found At: <a href="http://www.oyster.com/washington-dc/hotels/the-jefferson-washington-dc/">The Jefferson, Washington D.C.</a></strong> Hello, room service carts of the future! When, after you're done eating, you place your cart outside your door, a microchip inside the cart alerts housekeeping to come collect it.
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The Technology: Tech Butlers
<strong>Found At: <a href="http://www.oyster.com/new-york-city/hotels/the-ritz-carlton-new-york-battery-park/">The Ritz-Carlton New York Battery Park</a></strong> When your technology goes awry on vacation, normally you'd be forced to seek out the nearest electronics store. But at the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park, you can just pick up the telephone. The hotel offers a "tech butler" for any hardware or software problems you might have while at the hotel. Bonus: If you're astronomically inclined, most rooms come with a top-notch telescope for catching views of Lady Liberty and beyond.
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The Technology: Digital Touch-Screen Concierge
<strong>Found At: <a href="http://www.oyster.com/boston/hotels/the-eliot-hotel/">The Eliot Hotel -- Boston</a></strong> The Eliot Hotel's rooms come equipped with a touch-screen for guests to use to order room service, extra amenities, or basically anything else they might require. You can even use ICE (the name of the touch-screen system), to schedule your nightly turn down for a precise time. More ice, ICE? Please?
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The Technology: iPad Digital Concierge
<strong>Found At: <a href="http://www.oyster.com/miami/hotels/hotel-beaux-arts-miami/">Hotel Beaux Arts Miami</a></strong> Like The Eliot Hotel, rooms at Hotel Beaux Arts Miami come equipped with iPads with digital concierge services. Rooms also boast rotating flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, bathrooms with TVs in the mirror, and illy Espresso machines.
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The Technology: Apple TV
<strong>Found At: <a href="http://www.oyster.com/jamaica/hotels/geejam/">The Geejam -- Jamaica</a></strong> Aside from the 42″ flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, dimmer switches, and DVD players, all rooms in this uber-luxe Jamaican resort feature Apple TVs. Sure, it's Apple's least successful gadgets so far -- but at the Geejam it comes pre-programmed with an impressive mix of reggae and soul music, as well as three dozen movies. Bonus: You receive a pre-programmed cell phone on arrival with all of the hotel's customer service numbers already stored inside.
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The Technology: All-in-One Entertainment Unit
<strong>Found At: <a href="http://www.oyster.com/hong-kong/hotels/the-mira-hong-kong/">The Mira Hong Kong</a></strong> From the pool to the rooms and the spa, everything here has an almost futuristic touch: Think colorful lighting, straight lines, and a sleek design. Most rooms are decent-sized by Hong Kong standards, and all feature Bose iPod docks, LCD TVs, wireless keyboards, and entertainment units that incorporate a computer and Blu-Ray DVD player.
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