ROBOTIC STAFFHumanoid robots
have long been an emblem of our
Blade Runner-esque future, and
the age of machines seems poised
to happen in hotels. he Yotel New
York’s newest employee – the hyper-
energetic bellboy Yobot – follows on
the electronic heels of the tireless
workers at Japan’s (almost) entirely
robot-stafed Henn-na Hotel. But
perhaps most exciting is Botlr, who
joined the staf at Aloft Hotels in 2014.his robotic butler can – if summoned
viaanapp–appearatyourdoorwith
more towels, an iron, etc. Better still,
he’ll also do a dance each time.AUTOMATIC COFFEE MACHINE
Onedoeshatetomakeone’sown
cofee,doesn’tone?Inkeeping
with a general trend of hotel rooms
trying to predict your every move,
StarwoodHotels&Resorts’cofee
machines will start brewing yourFuturistic Hotel Rooms
BY RICHARD MELLORRoom-service robots? Phone-charging furniture?
Welcome to the smart rooms of tomorrowPHOTO: ISTOCK22 | April• 2018TRAVEL