Marriott Invites You to Beta Test Innovations at a Special Hotel
Hotels are constantly looking for ways to improve and tweak their product, and Marriott has opened the world’s first hotel meant for you to beta test new innovations and provide real-time feedback.
Want to help shape future hotel experiences and try out the latest ideas? Here’s your chance! Dubbed the “M Beta” (for Marriott Beta), you can book a stay at the Charlotte Marriott City Center.
Starwood loyalists may get a chuckle out of the “Inspired by you, who thought all Marriott hotels were the same” phrase on the front of Charlotte Marriott’s webpage. While many Marriott fans love the fact that they can be at any hotel in the world and find comfort in the consistency of their Marriott hotel room, Starwood loyalists often prefer the opposite.
Some of the unique features at the Charlotte Marriott City Center include access to almost 1,000 digital on-demand workouts that can be done in your room or in group sessions, keyless guest room entry, and an open-air dining concept at the LG Studio that includes cooking classes and demos, along with lots of locally sourced ingredients. Here’s a screenshot from the press release –
A whole floor of guest rooms has purified air systems and special lighting to help fight jet lag, and the rooms come with hardwood floors and the ability to connect to Netflix to stream your own movies. There’s even a Vitamin C infused shower. Pretty cool!
Innovations change frequently, so if you visit today and return back in three months it is likely that there will be new things to try out.
The hotel has a Club Lounge called the M Club Lounge, which has upgraded and generous offerings that look pretty tasty. There is a hot buffet breakfast, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and plenty of snacks. Here’s a photo of the food line up at the M Club, courtesy of Marriott –
Dotted throughout the hotel are Beta Buttons where you can easily leave feedback for the different innovations. Feedback is tallied and shared real-time on digital screens so everyone can see which items get rave reviews and which ones leave something to be desired. Pleasingly, it looks like the Food & Drink is knocking it out of the park (at least in the example on travelbrilliantly.com).
Want to book a room at the Charlotte Marriott City Center? Checking the random date of next Saturday October 22, 2016 the best available rate came to $179. The Marriott Rewards Member rate was $170, and AAA came to $152.
I love the idea of having a test hotel where guests get to try out new stuff and provide real-time feedback. I think it would be very interesting to see what other guests find good for them as well, since results are displayed. Of course, not everything that guests love will end up being implemented as there are numerous factors to consider including cost. But the chance to be included in the process and experience new technology is enticing.
If you visit this property let me know if the experience is as cool as it seems!
