From robot massages to automated everything, check into these high-tech stays, where luxury meets next-gen innovation.
Henn Na Hotel, Tokyo
The original ‘Robot Hotel’ and first of its kind, the Henn Na in Tokyo continues to turn heads, blending tech and hospitality in unexpected ways. Guests are greeted by life-sized animatronic dinosaur robots at the front desk, while each room comes with a ‘robophone’ – an in-room communication robot that acts as a concierge, providing local information and adjusting settings such as lighting and temperature. The hotel also has high-tech extras like LG Styler garment steamers and futon conditioners, which regulate the temperature between the guest and the mattress. The concept has proven so successful that there are now 22 properties across Japan, as well as branches in Seoul and New York.
Hotel de la Ville, Rome
@hoteldelavillerom
Rocco Forte’s Hotel de la Ville offers an extraordinary art-meets-technology experience that transforms guests' dreams into tangible keepsakes. As part of its Dream Portraits collaboration with local artist Matteo Nasini, the hotel uses EEG technology to record brain activity during sleep, with guests wearing a sensor-equipped headset throughout the night. Specialised software converts neurological data into sound waves, which are then transformed into both audio tracks and intricate porcelain sculptures using 3D printing technology. Each resulting piece offers a physical representation of the guest's unique dreamscape and a one-of-a-kind souvenir of their stay.
Virgin Hotels London Shoreditch
@virginhotelsldnshoreditch
At Virgin Hotels’ London outpost, tech and hospitality converge through the Lucy app, giving guests effortless control and convenience at their fingertips. From contactless check-in and mobile room keys to seamless in-room control of lighting, temperature and entertainment, the app delivers a personalised, frictionless experience. Guests can request laundry services, verify their identity and even tip staff – all through a single, intuitive platform. The hotel’s latest innovation, the Elevator of Dreams, serves as a portal for aspiring entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas directly to Branson and Simon Squibb's combined social media audience of 50 million.
Hotelito, Guerrero
@design_hotels
Hotelito at Musa has introduced advanced eco-technology to Mexico's Pacific coast. Opened in late 2023, the hotel runs entirely on solar power systems and uses integrated greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting systems to conserve water. These dual solutions support the surrounding grounds while reducing freshwater usage – an increasingly vital consideration in a region facing growing water scarcity. The natural swimming pool meanwhile uses alternative filtration methods that eliminate the need for traditional chemical treatments. Offshore, the hotel’s coral reef restoration programme uses cutting-edge marine conservation techniques to help rehabilitate damaged reef ecosystems.
The Upper House, Hong Kong
@upperhouse_hkg
While The Upper House in Hong Kong is known for its design-forward ethos, seamlessly integrated technology amplifies the guest experience. Guests can enjoy wifi-equipped Lexus hybrid airport transfers, while in-room controls are conveniently managed via iPod Touch devices. Perhaps one of the luxury hotel’s greatest pulls is the 10x Longevity, Hong Kong’s foremost pro-ageing, longevity and recovery health suite, which offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy, red light therapy and an infrared sauna, as well as microneedling, facial peels and cold plunge. Bespoke laser treatments are also provided by the hotel’s resident plastic surgeon and aesthetician.
Lotte New York Palace
@newyorkpalace
This New York property from Lotte has transformed its Ila Only spa experience by introducing robot-powered massages from intuitive massage technology company Aescape. The state-of-the-art machines use advanced AI to generate a unique 3D computational model of each guest, allowing for precisely calibrated treatments tailored to individual preferences. Unlike traditional massage techniques – which can vary based on a therapist’s skill and fatigue – Aescape’s robots deliver consistent precision throughout each session. Prices start at $75, and guests can use Aescape’s on-demand booking app to browse locations, check availability and choose treatment times ranging from 15 to 120 minutes.
Capella Bangkok
@capellabangkok
The World’s Best Hotel 2024, Capella Bangkok infuses next-gen mod cons into the guest experience. Rooms are equipped with iPad-controlled systems for managing lighting, temperature and entertainment, all of which remember individual settings. The tech suite also features automated blinds that adjust based on arrivals and departures, swivel-mounted TVs and Bluetooth sound systems. Behind the scenes, Harman audio-visual integration delivers seamless sound throughout the property, creating immersive yet unobtrusive atmospheres in public areas. Capella was also among the first luxury hospitality brands to adopt Bitcoin and digital payment tokens, offering guests the convenience of seamless crypto transactions.
Six Senses Zighy Bay
@sixsenseszighybay
At Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman, advanced health monitoring systems form the backbone of the resort's data-driven wellness approach, tracking guests' movement patterns, sleep quality and vital signs throughout their stay. The spa features non-invasive screenings that assess key biomarkers such as exercise recovery, bone density and cardiac output, as well as biohacking tools like red light therapy, a hyperbaric oxygen chamber and cryotherapy. Beyond the spa, tech plays a central role across the resort, with tablets and interactive TV portals that control the in-room environment. Meanwhile, the hotel’s Earth Lab initiative supports its sustainability goals through digital tracking of resources, consumption and waste management.
Pullman Singapore Orchard
@pullmansingaporeorchard
Pullman Singapore Orchard’s Transforming Room is a shape-shifting concept suite designed to adapt seamlessly to guests' needs at the tap of a QR code. The innovative space features a fold-down Murphy wall bed, a Compoz programmable scent library for custom in-room fragrances and Dornbracht shower technology that creates a spa-like experience. Guests can control all functions via their smartphones – adjusting curtains, lighting and even accessing fitness programmes projected onto a wall-sized screen. The room fluidly transitions from bedroom to gym to office, offering multi-sensory sleep experiences, dynamic digital art and the option to create private zones with a retractable screen.
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