IHG Hotels & Resorts Introduces Effortless Wi-Fi Connection for Guests Worldwide

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), a leading hotel company with a global presence, is thrilled to announce the launch of a new mobile product feature – IHG Wi-Fi Auto Connect. A first-of-its-kind innovation available at scale in hotels, this feature is now available exclusively in the IHG One Rewards mobile app for both iOS and Android users and will automatically connect IHG One Rewards members to Wi-Fi upon arrival at more than 5,000 IHG hotels worldwide – no separate passwords or logins needed!

IHG Wi-Fi Auto Connect is enabled by the newly redesigned IHG app and IHG’s proprietary internet solution, IHG One Rewards Wi-Fi. Globally, the company logs more than 5.3 million monthly Wi-Fi logins. With this new solution, guests who opt-in via their mobile devices will join the internet upon entering a hotel without having to worry about separate login codes or passwords, saving time and enjoying a better user experience. A one-time set-up is required via the app where the member user can enable auto connection via settings. The functionality empowers guests visiting a hotel for a meeting, overnight stay or dining at a restaurant in a hotel.

“We know that our guests expect seamless instant connectivity and convenience, especially when it comes to Wi-Fi. At IHG, we are constantly looking for ways to enhance the guest experience, and IHG Wi-Fi Auto Connect is just one example of how we’re doing that,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Global Guest Experience, IHG Hotels & Resorts. “The solution will deliver IHG One Rewards members with even better connectivity and a seamless experience across 5,000+ hotels around the world.”

Motivated to improve the guest experience for loyalty members, the company continues to innovate and prioritize technology, comfort, and convenience. In addition to the improved Wi-Fi experience, the app has new enhancements designed for speed and convenience, including a new lock screen widget feature on iOS. Widgets allow guests to see their points balance and upcoming stays from the lock screen of their device, and to quickly launch the app. The app has also recently launched booking features allowing guests to select room enhancements during booking, including rooms with specific views or more space.

Execs on the Move: IHG, Valor Hospitality, Outrigger; More…

IHG Appoints Chief Technology Officer

IHG appoints Daniel Blanchard as chief technology officer having 25 years of experience in IT business management, strategy, transformation, architecture governance, and program management. He will oversee infrastructure and operations, enterprise architecture, IT security operations, application development, and corporate support.

He served as the VP, IT infrastructure and reliability at Delta Air Lines. Prior to Delta, Blanchard spent more than 20 years at Marriott International in a variety of information technology leadership roles. He began his career at Boeing.

Valor Hospitality Co-founder Steps Down

 Valor’s U.S. and U.K. teams will commit significant resources across disciplines to ensure Valor’s Africa and Middle East services are bolstered with both local and global expertise.

The co-founder and managing partner of Valor’s Africa and Middle East divisions are joining Sun International Casinos and Resorts, a South African resort hotel chain and casino, as chief operating officer

Valor executives Michael Pownall, Tony Romer-Lee and McGlashan have restructured their roles to address needs created by Wood’s departure:

Pownall, co-founder and managing partner, Africa & Middle East, will head global branded operations.

Valor also welcomes Willie Williams as director of sales and marketing. Williams brings more than 20 years of senior corporate and independent hotel sales experience in Southern Africa to the team.

Spire Promotes From Within

Spire Hospitality has promoted Shozib Khan to VP of hotel performance and analytics. He brings more than 20 years of experience working in various positions in hotels and in a corporate capacity.

Alongside Russell, Khan will play a key leadership role in maximizing value through improved operations, analysis, service and overall company objectives.

Phoenix American Hospitality Adds Brad Cooke as Internal Wholesaler

A Dallas-based opportunistic hotel fund manager has added Brad Cooke to its distribution team as an internal wholesaler. He brings nearly a decade of experience. Previously, he was a regional sales consultant at Plano Capital Group with Highland Capital Management

He gained experience selling business development companies, REITs, mutual funds, interval funds, and 1031 exchange products

Five Hospitality Technology Trends Every Hotel Should Adopt

Let’s look at the top 5 technology trends that every hotel should adopt:

Artificial Intelligence

It has a great impact on the ability to understand and personalize the guest experience and to determine the rates and maximize revenue. This is why it becomes crucial for hoteliers to make use of hospitality software  that is driven by AI

Chatbots

It understands simple questions and provides answers almost instantly, taking the burden away from staff and improving the experience for customers.

Voice

It offers a new way for hoteliers to interact with their guests. It has an excellent future for the in-room experience as well, thus allowing guests to easily order everything from an extra water bottle to spa services or any other room service

Virtual Reality

This technology will create a completely seamless experience for the guests.

  Blockchain

Blockchain is a list of encrypted digital records where transactions are recorded and kept permanently. It can be used in a channel manager software to effectively manage channels and ensure maximum meta visibility across the hotel distribution system while making booking more profitable for hoteliers and more affordable for guests