STAMFORD, Conn.—Developing for Google Glass, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has introduced a new SPG app that is the first from a hospitality company to leverage this emerging, wearable technology platform.
The SPG app for Google Glass was designed and built by Starwood’s internal team of tech experts with the goal of delivering a seamless experience for its guests. The app is designed to assist travelers in each stage of their journey—from destination exploration to practical logistics planning before, during, and after a visit—all within a quick, easy, and streamlined format valued by on-the-go users of wearable technology. It’s the only Glass app currently available that enables booking a stay at any of Starwood’s hotels around the world.
“Travelers are more tech-savvy than ever before, and wearable technology is the newest platform that provides information in an easy to access way to support the needs of our guests and enhance their travel experience,” said Chris Holdren, SVP SPG and digital for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Our goal is to explore these new technologies and learn from our guests’ interactions with them so we can continue to deliver the best experiences at every point in their journey—from when our guests are dreaming about their next destination to when they walk in our front door and beyond.”
The app provides users with critical account information, including number of Starpoints and upcoming and past stays to help travelers make the most of their SPG membership.
“Being the first in the hospitality industry to introduce an app for Google Glass illustrates our larger strategy to be the industry-leading digital innovator,” said Clay Cowan, VP global digital for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Starwood’s agility and scope has established our brands as early tech adopters, and we plan to maintain our lead with our innovative work in the digital space.”
The release of the SPG app for Google Glass beta product allows the Google Explorer network to give direct feedback to Starwood’s design and development teams, providing deeper insight into how different channels are used, and what makes them meaningful to users. This insight, coupled with the in-house tech talent, will allow Starwood to continue enhancing the SPG app for Google Glass and develop other wearable technology products that best respond to the desires of the SPG community.
