Everyday, harried travelers clutching tangled power cords march through airports or dash into coffee shops seeking precious electrical outlets in hopes of alleviating the looming anxiety – their devices losing battery power at exactly the wrong time. Marriott Hotels understands this frustration and has jumped into action with the introduction of Kube Systems’ portable charging stations using Qi technology – the global standard in wireless charging – in the Greatroom lobbies of 29 of its hotels this month.
The idea was sparked by real travelers’ submissions on TravelBrilliantly.com – Marriott Hotels’ platform for engaging guests and consumers in co-creation – for more convenient ways to charge power hungry devices, such as iPhones, Android devices and iPads. The brand listened and collaborated with Kube Systems to bring this innovative idea to life.
“Marriott Hotels is on a journey with our guests to create and rollout traveler-inspired innovations, such as portable charging stations, because you cannot travel brilliantly when you are running on empty,” said Michael Dail, vice president, Marriott Hotels Marketing. “Through our collaboration with Kube Systems, we’re providing an industry-leading solution to a common traveler worry, and now we’re bringing it to Marriott Hotels across the country.”
According to a Marriott Hotels survey, the average U.S. business traveler carries two to three mobile devices with them on the road. As this number continues to rise, Marriott Hotels is taking it into consideration in every aspect of the guest experience, including an expanded number of more accessible power outlets in guestrooms.
“Leisure and business travelers have struggled for power on the road as battery technology has not kept pace with the demands of larger screens, faster processors and more app-driven devices,” said Dave Weinstein, Vice President of Kube Systems. “A two-year development effort in collaboration with Marriott technologists has resulted in the KS Portable™: a truly unique solution to charge virtually every mobile device on the market today, without the need for guests to carry cables or adaptors.”
Featuring a sleek, contemporary design, the portable chargers’ built-in connecters can simultaneously power up to six devices, covering all Apple, Android and Windows Mobile Devices. Qi wireless charging technology allows compatible smartphones to charge simply by resting on the KS Portable™ Qi transmitter, removing the need for cables and cutting the final cord that tethers devices – the power cord. The portable charger seamlessly enhances the new Greatroom lobby that merges modern, stylish design and comfort with greater access to food & beverage and technology. Designed as a social hub, the Greatroom lobby is a space for tech-savvy guests to work, relax and socialize, and now with the addition of portable charging, guests are free to decide how their time is spent – whether charging up while enjoying a beverage or catching up on an uninterrupted work session.
Since the launch of Marriott Hotels’ transformational journey with its Travel Brilliantly campaign in June 2013 – Marriott Hotels has been engaging guests, experts and influencers to join with the brand in co-creating the future state of travel by asking “How can we make travel more brilliant?” The results are tangible with innovations including the brand’s new stylish, modern Greatroom lobbies, mobile check-in and checkout from anywhere, a mobile app for chatting between guests and property hosts and a healthy vending machine with fresh healthy food on demand. Marriott is also co-creating with unexpected partners like the MIT Mobile Experience Lab. Marriott and MIT students – future travelers – co-created Six Degrees to reinvent the hotel lobby as a social hub, using a mobile app to connect people with similar backgrounds and interests.
