Robot concierges

Ever wondered how much to tip a particularly helpful robot? Probably not. But if you’re a regular hotel guest, you may have to start. Several hotels, including Aloft Cupertino, California, have introduced robotic members of staff. Aloft’s human concierges can use the hotel’s artificially intelligent butler, A.L.O Botlr, to send items to a guest’s room – this guy even accepts tips via Twitter. 

Bathroom gadgets

At London’s Ecclestone Square Hotel, the bathroom mirrors contain flat-screen TVs and the clear shower walls can be frosted at the touch of a button. Cross the Atlantic to Seattle’s Hotel 1000, and you’ll find plumbing that allows baths to be filled from the ceiling. The bathrooms at The Peninsula Shanghai have a button that provides mood lighting, relaxing music and a ‘do not disturb’ function, which bars phone calls and unsolicited visits. 

Automated check-in

The often sluggish stop at the front desk is being eradicated by hotels worldwide. On arrival, guests at Blow Up Hall 5050 in Poznan, Poland, are handed iPhones that help them locate their room and unlock the door. Similarly, those staying at the citizenM chain of boutique hotels check in via a computerised kiosk (above). And Hilton recently introduced a revolutionary room selection feature – through their Hilton HHonors accounts, guests can check in and choose their room from a digital floor plan.

In-room technology

Rooms at The Peninsula Tokyo are kitted out with a glut of gadgetry, including internet radio, wireless phones with Skype and a nail varnish dryer. At New York’s Yotel, rooms have ‘techno’ walls that can stream audio, as well as motion detector-operated air conditioning and super-strength Wi-Fi. And in true German efficiency, rooms at Hamburg’s Prizeotel come with a lamp that enables guests to listen to music via Bluetooth, make phone calls or even charge their phones.  

Just for fun

The QT in Sydney is taking a different approach to elevator music: according to how many passengers are inside, the lifts play different songs. Going solo? Expect Elvis’s Are You Lonesome Tonight?; to get the party started with Prince’s 1999, you’ll need three companions. Back in Europe, Ibiza’s Ushuaia Beach Hotel has spurned cash and card payments in favour of electronic wristbands. That’s right, with a flick of the wrist guests can pay for drinks and other services around the hotel – as well as using the band to access their room.

What’s the coolest gadget you’ve seen in a hotel? Email us and let us know