A n exclusive new addition to the mobile software application program offered by Hilton Worldwide called Fun Finder uses the technologies of Wi-Fi, global positioning system and beacon technology to act as your personal travel guide by “understanding” what you enjoy and providing such information as:
- Personalized recommendations based on your arrival and departure information
- Preferences collected in a pre-arrival survey
- Insider information pertaining to the resort property at which you are staying
- Directions and navigational information on how to attend an activity or event in which you may be interested — especially at larger resort properties to help save time
- Special offers for exceptional experiences
- The current time and your location in the resort
Fun Finder Finds Fun For You at Hilton Resort Properties
Members of the Hilton HHonors frequent guest loyalty program can opt in to — and take advantage of — this new feature when staying at either of the following resort properties:
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort — Receive a welcome invitation for an island walking tour; find out that there is a discounted massage appointment open in thirty minutes for couples; receive a schedule of the activities for children available for that day via your mobile telephone with directions on how to get there; or a drink special at the bar as a thanks for attending the Waikiki Starlight Luau.
Hilton Anatole — Receive notifications for the start of happy hour at the new swim-up bar at the JadeWaters pool complex; or get background information pertaining to the collection of art and historical artifacts in the museum of this vast convention hotel and cultural center in the Design District of Dallas.
“We are making it easier than ever for our guests to be spontaneous and seize every opportunity to enjoy their stay, giving our Hilton HHonors members the inside scoop before they even have to ask,” said Joshua Sloser, who is the vice president of digital product innovation at Hilton Worldwide. “Fun Finder is a huge leap forward for the hotel industry — we’re artfully blending technology with exceptional experiences in a way that gives travelers a smarter, more personalized stay.”
Summary
I can see the potential of how this new feature — which will soon be expanding to other resort properties of the portfolio of Hilton Worldwide — can be useful; but I personally keep my cellular data turned off on my mobile telephone most of the time.
Some of the functionality — such as real-time messaging with the team members and staff of the resort property to address needs such as extra pillows, dinner reservations, spa appointments or checking out of the resort property late — seem to already exist with such tools as Twitter.
However, I would not be surprised if some people might be somewhat uncomfortable with the following quote by Rich DiStefano, who is the senior director of mobile products at Hilton Worldwide:
“We’re reimagining the guest experience, finding new ways our Hilton HHonors app can better connect members to what they love. Fun Finder will also transform how our hotels manage themselves, as it provides real-time insights on everything from where additional Team Members are needed to what time of day guests are most interested in fitness classes.”
My initial interpretation of that quote may very well indeed be grossly incorrect; but it almost sounds like that they are watching your every move with Fun Finder à la 1984 by George Orwell — although I would think that it was not meant to conjure such a nefarious image. Of course, if you do feel uncomfortable with that, you do not have to use this feature; and you can also enjoy other features — such as seeing the surroundings of your hotel using Google Maps and Digital Key…
…but I believe what would really sweeten this feature is if offers of discounts and bonus Hilton HHonors points were provided to the user of the mobile software application program of Hilton Worldwide — whether those offers are announced in advance or offered as a spontaneous surprise…
Source: Hilton Worldwide.
