Monday, 10 September 2012
Doha: How cool will it be to control all the applications and services in your hotel room through an iPad. Click on an app and voila you can order room service, place housekeeping request, control your TV channels, change the room light setting or even browse the internet - all this sitting on your bed. All this has become a reality at The Torch Doha.
The Torch Doha in collaboration with Aspire Zone Foundation launched the in-room iPad solution for the first time in the Middle East yesterday. The iPad solution has been developed and implemented by Mahindra Satyam.
All 163 rooms and suites at The Torch are equipped with state-of-the-art iPads which offer guests customised in-room control such as: order from in-room dining, mood & ceiling lights control, curtain operation, room temperature control, access the internet on iPad and TV, listen to music and radio, guest check-in and history clean-up, set pre-arrival requests, DND, MMR and door bell requests, read online newspapers and access their hotel account.
Hotel Manager at The Torch Doha, Sherif Sabry reveals: "We have re-defined the idea of luxury service in the Middle East hospitality. Introducing the iPad system in all rooms and suites shows that our vision focuses on guest convenience, control and speed of service. Guests can now enjoy a new found autonomy while we streamlined our operation."
The in Room iPad Solution is custom-built to allow guests to place DND and make-up requests for the room, control the mood light system and the curtains, listen to music, watch TV and access online newspapers and books. The Torch has downloaded a Qibla locator app on all iPads which shows the multi-faceted functionality of the bi-lingual system (features Arabic and English).
"This is just a beginning we will keep updating it with more options like games and other application after reviewing the user feedback. In future we have plans to develop this further and integrate it with other Aspire events and happenings," said Niyas Abdulrahiman, Chief Information Technology Advisor, Aspire Zone.
The iPad also come with a anti-theft feature, whereby if a guest carries the iPad out of the room it will automatically alert the security.
"There is no greater satisfaction for us, as a newly-opened property, than achieving this performance on our first year of operation. We are glad to be able to enhance customer experience and pioneer customer engagement technology in Qatar. Ultimately we trust that guests will enjoy our interactive services and spread the word for us," Sabry concluded.
© The Peninsula 2012
