Hyatt Adding Self-Service Check-In/Checkout Kiosks at More Than 100 Properties

Following an intense and successful six-month trial period in Chicago (Hyatt Regency OHare) and New York (Grand Hyatt New York), Hyatt will be rolling out the kiosks to its properties throughout 2005. Hyatt will be the first hotel company to offer the kiosk service across North America and the Caribbean. Paired with NCR Corporation, a global technology company and a leader in self-service solutions, Hyatt has made the commitment to deploy kiosks in order to meet the demands of todays travelers. Hyatts self-service kiosks are tied into the companys reservation system. Much like the airport kiosks that travelers have become accustomed to, the kiosks read information on a credit card that a guest swipes to begin both check-in and checkout. Once the system recognizes the name and reservation, upon check-in guests can receive their room key, enter their frequent stay Hyatt Gold Passport number and request an upgrade or room change. While checking out the kiosk gives guests the ability to pay, print out a complete receipt, and receive a folio of their stay. In most cases, Hyatt guests can complete their check-in/checkout transactions in under a minute, said Tracy Flynn, vice president of hospitality solutions at NCR. NCR is excited to be partnering with Hyatt to give travelers a new service that differentiates Hyatt Hotels & Resorts from other hospitality companies. The proprietary technology installed in NCRs EasyPointâ„¢ Xpress Check-In kiosks will soon allow customers to choose the newspaper they want delivered to their room, make dinner reservations and select from a variety of activities at Hyatts resort locations. The self-service kiosks are a supplement to the personal attention customers receive from employees at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. For those seeking traditional face-to-face interaction at check-in and checkout, their experiences will not be affected by the addition of the new service to Hyatt lobbies. The self-service kiosk offering complements other product and service innovations Hyatt has recently announced. Installation of the Grand Bed into more than 100 Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in the United States and Canada continues throughout 2005. The Grand Bed features a Sealy Posturepedic 720 Series mattress, as well as a custom-designed fitted cover, creating a sleek and clean look. Additionally, the Grand Bed replaces traditional bedspreads with a 21 oz. down blanket and 250-thread-count triple sheeting. Hyatts wireless Internet offering is also at the forefront of hospitality technology. Partnered with T-Mobile, Hyatt offers the most secure wireless solution available for travelers surfing the web or communicating online. Hyatt is the first company to offer a wireless solution in all of its guestrooms in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.