In a bid to improve customer experience, Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa in Johannesburg, South Africa has introduced a number of technological upgrades, including a mobile phone app for a contactless experience, a lighting system to save energy, and virtual fitness and wellness classes.
The App
The Saxon Hotel app ensures guests a contactless and touchless experience at the hotel. Integrated with operating systems at the hotel to offer a seamless guest journey, the app allows guests access to a wide range of hotel services at the click of a button from their own personal devices. Guests have the option to check-in online, use their phone as their hotel suite key, make a restaurant booking or order room service to name a few. All the menus of the dining outlets can be perused on the app, and guests can also explore the spa offering as well as make spa bookings with the use of this technology.
Guests will be able to browse newspapers and reading material, as well as interact with the Saxon team through the app via the chat box or send direct messages to one’s own butler, reception, housekeeping or maintenance—with a special section, "Saxon Concierge Recommends," allowing guests to plan and book excursions in and around Johannesburg with the help of the concierge. Additionally, the app is fully integrated to allow use of the guest’s own device to contact hotel extensions using their own phone instead of the telephone in the hotel suite.
The Saxon app can be found in the Apple and Android app stores under "Saxon Hotel App" and can be used by all; many of the features are available for use even for those not staying at the hotel or who do not have a reservation yet.
Conference Upgrades
Noting that virtual and hybrid meetings are here to stay, The Saxon Hotel announced its conference facilities have been upgraded to meet this need, and now include premium, interactive screens and video conferencing facilities. Cutting-edge interaction technology by MaxHub has been introduced in the Saxon Boardroom, Conference A and B, as well as an extra-large screen in the Dining Library; it wirelessly integrates the functions of camera, projector, whiteboard, microphone and more. In addition, two mobile MaxHub screens are available for use in the Convention Lounge or other areas in the hotel. Saxon conference guests are now able to meet locally and/or collaborate remotely, with the solution seamlessly integrating virtual and in-person meetings.
Video conferencing will now be much easier with the use of the MaxHub as it is easy to connect to any device with the wireless screen sharing dongle.
The interactive flat panel smart display allows conferencing guests to write easily and naturally with the use of a stylus or hand write directly on the screen as well as erase errors by simply moving the palm of their hand across the screen. The system also wirelessly integrates devices onto a single platform, whether they be PC, Mac or Android, eliminating the need for various cables and connections.
The new MaxHubs have been extremely popular so far with conferencing guests since reopening on May 1.
New Lighting System
The Saxon has partnered with Lutron to introduce energy saving lighting system across the property, thus becoming the first hotel in Africa to offer the full Lutron Lighting control solution.
The lighting system has simple-to-use intuitive interfaces, allowing guests to control the lights in-suite to set their preferred lighting scene whilst at the same time reducing energy usage through the introduction of occupancy sensors—the lighting system will turn off the lights in a suite once no movement has been detected for 30 minutes. In further upgrades to be effected in the next few weeks, the system will have the lighting in the suite return to the preferred settings with same lights switching on automatically upon the guest re-entering their suite.
The Lutron system further plays a role in regulating the ambient room temperature particularly when the guest has left the room, which again reduces energy consumption.
Virtual Fitness and Wellness Classes
For the fitness-conscious, the Saxon has partnered with Earth + Sky to offer virtual fitness and wellness classes for guests to utilize in the privacy of their suites. A wide variety of classes will be available at any time—well-suited for travelers who have become used to doing exercise classes at home and for jet lag sufferers looking for some training.
This service from Earth + Sky is available exclusively in hotels and the fitness and wellness classes are presented by instructors in prestigious locations, such as a Barre de Ballet class presented from the Royal Opera House in London by Royal Ballet Soloist Fernando Montano, or an Upper Body Calisthenics class presented by Ultra Marathon Runner Ben Harrison. Guests are able to view the classes on the televisions in their suites.
The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa reopened on May 1, 2021. For more information, visit www.saxon.co.za.
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