Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — The days of losing your hotel room key and waiting in a long line to check-out and pay your bill might be over.
Hilton Worldwide announced Monday it will be revolutionizing the way its hotel system works in the near future, making your stay much more compatible with your smartphone.
The Hilton tech upgrades will turn your iOS and Android phone into your check-in desk that allows you to pick your own room, your room key during your stay and an easy way to get your bill and check out when you're ready to go home.
By the end of 2014, the Hilton HHonors app will begin to include a check-in and room selection process the day before you arrive, requests for specific amenities and upgrades, and a quick check-out and emailed bill. These changes will take affect in over 4,000 Hilton properties by the end of the year.
We have spent the past few years testing a number of different options to make this vision a reality.
–Christopher J. Nassetta
Hilton reports the room key smartphone technology will begin to be installed in 2015, allowing guests to check-in beforehand and go straight to their room when they arrive at the hotel.
Hilton said for security reasons, the actual technology making this possible isn't being released.
"We have spent the past few years testing a number of different options to make this vision a reality, and we are developing proprietary technology that is safe and reliable for our guests to use, and cost-effective for our hotels to install," said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and chief executive officer of Hilton Worldwide, in a news release.
He said the new technology will hopefully be in all U.S. Hiltons by the end of 2015 and go global by the end of 2016.
You can contact Madeleine Richards at mrose.richards@gmail.com or on Twitter @MRoseRichards.
