Sheraton Hotels and Resorts has introduced Microsoft Surface in its hotel lobbies in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Seattle. It is Microsoft”s first widely available surface computer and Sheraton is the first hotel to offer it.
Microsoft Surface is a 30-inch display in a table-like form that several guests can use at the same time. The intuitive user interface works without a traditional mouse or keyboard, allowing people to access content by using their hands and gestures.
Each hotel has a customised version of the Microsoft Surface developed suite of applications to provide entertainment and information about local attractions.
Pete Thompson, general manager, Microsoft Surface, said: ”Surface takes a common activity, such as looking up information about a local city, and transforms it into an intuitive and social way for hotel guests to plan their visit.”
The application City Tips shows guests 360-degree satellite maps and tools to search for local restaurants and bars, entertainment, recreation, shopping, transportation and services, such as banks and pharmacies.
Sounds of Sheraton allows the computer to double as a lobby-based digital jukebox, so guests can create personal music playlists by choosing selections from Sheraton”s exclusive offering of Sony BMG artists, including John Legend, Kenny Chesney and Lauryn Hill.
And with Sheraton Snapshots guests can plan future trips and explore Sheraton hotels and resorts throughout the world by browsing the Surface photo library of Sheraton resorts and hotel properties.
The new lobby experience comes after the launch of Sheraton Link business centres, which provide larger and more relaxed working space, including a high-stool bar area, a counter serving coffee and snacks, flatscreen PCs and a ”game” corner.
For more information visit www.surface.com and www.starwoodhotels.com.