THE IMPORTANCE OF TECH
K11 Artus’s guests will also have access to a 24-hour
digital concierge platform called Amici. Guests simply
add Amici as a contact on instant messaging apps
WhatsApp, Line or WeChat and communicate with
staff members for any service requests on their own
devices, without having to download any additional app.
Jumeirah Living Guangzhou, the first serviced
residence project of Dubai-based Jumeirah Hotels and
Resorts in the Asia-Pacific region, also rolled out a
similar service, called “E-Butler”, in June. This allows
guests to contact their service team using WeChat.
(WhatsApp and Line are typically blocked by China’s
internet censorship and WeChat is the country’s most
popular instant messaging app.)This luxury serviced residence opened in February
this year in Guangzhou’s Zhujiang New Town business
district. Split between two towers, the property has 169
all-suite apartments fully equipped with home appliances.
“With Jumeirah E-Butler, we can delight guests by
offering personalised service and more meaningful
engagement, which goes hand in hand with high and
luxurious levels of service,” said Pedro Deakin, president
of operations for Jumeirah Group, in a press release.
“Through improved dialogue, we get a better insight
into guests’ personal preferences and can tailor our
service individually to each guest.”
It is clear, then, that serviced residence operators
see technological innovation as key to attracting those
guests seeking – and willing to pay for – a luxurious stay.
Serviced apartment brand Oakwood has also
recognised this trend and has begun to work with
different companies to implement smart technologies in
select properties in the Asia-Pacific region.
For example, at Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore
guests can use in-room tablets with a built-in app to
check out useful information about the property,
the neighbourhood and the city. The app also allows
guests to submit service requests and feedback, read
instructions for in-room amenities, and even order
takeaway food and shop for groceries online.
With guests becoming increasingly eco-conscious,
some serviced apartment operators are turning to tech
for solutions. Gateway Apartments Hong Kong,
which Business Traveller Asia-Pacific last reviewed in
April 2019, has several green initiatives, from the use ofJULY/AUGUST 2019 businesstraveller.com44
CLOCKWISE FROM
THIS PAGE BELOW:
Jumeirah Living
Guangzhou;
Oriental
Residence
Bangkok;
Fraser
Residence
Orchard,
Singapore;
Gateway
Apartments
Hong Kong;
and K11 Artus