Tomorrow's hotel room - a scene from James Bond movie
The American architect and interior designer, Adam D. Tihany describes the future hotel room as a scene from a James Bond movie where the classic design is in bed with tomorrow’s technology. Photovoltaic glass will be the basic element of windows with mirror television, television screen and interactive touch screen display. And, in the hotel lobby bar, a robotic bartender will mix the perfect martini – shaken, not stirred.
To many of us it is often harder to fall in sleep away from home and In Bond’s case probably harder, after assassins gunned down his wife on their wedding night and numerous femme fatales have attempted to murder him - in bed. On a more serious note; there is nothing more important than a good night sleep. Rest assured that the future of sleep would continue to be the bedrock of the hotel room for quite sometime.
The future hotel room however, will see significant changes. It would be similar to the distinctively American phenomenon of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ – in this case the home environment. A study conducted by ‘futurologist’ Ian Pearson on how technology will impact on sleep in 2030, and how the hotel room of the future can respond to it makes it an interesting read.
According to the study, advances in technology will make it possible to watch TV while keeping the eyes closed by wearing active lenses, that deliver 3D images directly onto the retina. Sleep-cycle alarms will monitor the electrical activity in the brain, which then recognises the best time to wake up, and unless this conflicts with the alarm clock setting done prior to going to bed, will keep the hotel guest fresh as a daisy in the morning. Pearson goes on to say that linking your dreams will also be possible – which means if a friend is dreaming at the same time, it will be possible to communicate with them in the dream which could also be recorded and played back. Hmm… he doesn’t talk of linking nightmares or how one can make dreams come true. I guess that’s for later.
Nowadays buzz words in hospitality include personalisation and customised service. Today, with wireless technology, the touch of a button can control room lighting, temperature, air conditioning, windows, etc. The technology of the future will make it possible to create physical changes, where hotel room walls, ceiling and floor will be giant tablets. Thus hotel guests could choose in advance the design and the room decor or personalise their room after arrival. Uploading pictures to the interactive wall, using the floor as a diary or simply changing the colours of the walls, etc. Intelligent furniture with built-in memory that will adapt to changes in body posture will enhance the experience. Towels will be a thing of the past.
Every bathroom will have an ultimate blow dryer; a huge move towards sustainability – saving millions of litres of water that otherwise go towards washing towels, not having to pollute the environment with the use of detergents and cutting down on electricity and labour costs as well. Digital will be omnipresent. Digital mirrors in every hotel room will not only reflect how you look but also show different alternatives of make-ups and/or hairstyles that might suit you.
In a world where technology is at your every beck and call, what will the role of the personal touch be? Will it be the principal of luxury in hospitality or will it fade away?
Shafeek Wahab – Editor, Hospitality Sri Lanka, Consultant, Trainer, Ex-Hotelier |
|
|
|
