More than a decade after premiering a hit residency on the Strip, Boyz II Men are back with four shows at the Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan.
Starting in August, the Plaza hotel will offer 100 upgraded rooms and suites that come with energy efficiency updates, new decor and Amazon Echo Dots that let guests communicate with hotel staff.
While the hospitality industry as a whole has been slow to adopt this technology, industry experts say hotel guests can expect to see more hotels incorporate this technology in the near future.
“The Plaza wanted to incorporate popular Amazon technology that many people now use on a daily basis to help enhance the guest experience,” Plaza spokesperson Amy Maier said via email. “The Plaza is keenly aware of changing consumer preferences, and as updates to the property are made, advanced technology options are always considered.”
Voice-activated speakers
The $15 million renovation targeted rooms on the top floors of the hotel’s north tower.
Each room offers modern entertainment and climate control systems, according to a statement from the Plaza. The Amazon Echos in each room give guests the ability to use Alexa commands to request housekeeping, reserve a pool cabana, or make dinner reservations.
Chey Beynon, a hospitality analyst at Macquarie in New York, said guests are looking for more amentities as room rates continue to climb.
“Small features like Amazon Echo Dots and other features are just part of what guests want these days,” he said.
Mehmet Erdem, a hospitality professor at UNLV, said the Plaza’s new technology integration could give it a competitive edge over other hotels.
“They’re doing it to stand out,” he said. ”It factors into (visitors’) decision” on where to stay.
Erdem expects more hotels will adapt this technology as they become commonplace in households. A survey from NPR and Edison Research found there were 118.5 million smart speakers in U.S. homes at the end of 2018, a 78 percent increase from the year prior.
Other additions
The upgraded rooms also include energy-efficient LED lighting and an upgraded climate control system that senses when a room is unoccupied and adjusts settings accordingly.
The average renovated Luxe Room size is 325 square feet. Renovations removed adjoining doors to allow space for more storage options, and 16 rooms were combined to create eight suites that include a wet bar.
“Just as downtown Las Vegas continues to evolve, the Plaza’s new Luxe Rooms are raising the standard for accommodations in the heart of downtown,” CEO Jonathan Jossel said in the statement.
Rooms can be booked on the Plaza’s website, with reservations starting Aug. 1.
More than a decade after premiering a hit residency on the Strip, Boyz II Men are back with four shows at the Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan.
Lost Spirits Distillery at Area15 achieved innovation, but ran in the red too l...
Most Americans might be used to hotels missing a 13th floor, but why do some ca...
Ely Duck Creek Lodge gives guests the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the area in a comfortable and spacious house.
Families are the focus at Tahiti Village. The all-suites resort has the space, activities, and great dining options to offer something for everyone.
While sections of libraries are filled with all kinds of books about strategies on what games and slots are best to play, the Nevada Gaming Control Board comes out with a report annually showing which games won the most for casinos.
Coast2Coast Fitness is a veteran-owned, private neighborhood gym with a Fitness Center and a new Performance Training Center where people experience a wide range of activities and achieve their personal goals in a comfortable environment.
Desert Kids Dental provides children with a kid-friendly experience that eases their fears and even allows for their visit to be fun, ensuring they will want to keep returning.
Usher is playing his fourth Las Vegas venue in November.
Corporations are changing the Strip’s skyline with large hotel advertising during Super Bowl 58 week that may be seen by broadcast viewers during Sunday’s game.
