My first reaction to news that Marriott International will offer Netflix streamable through its guestroom HDTVs was one of excitement.
“Finally!” I thought. Here was the first big brand to respond to a long-gestating item on many guests’ wish lists (including mine).
My next thought: “Does the move come too late?”
Years ago when Netflix and other streaming content providers first emerged on stage, it was difficult to find in-room Wi-Fi fast enough to adequately funnel the massive amount data needed to stream video content.
But hoteliers, to their credit, largely have responded to guests’ need for more bandwidth. The resulting Netflix viewing experience via personal mobile devices is seamless, if not merely adequate. (This coming from a guy who once binge-watched an entire season of the Netflix original “House of Cards” using his iPad while staying at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London – Tower of London.)
Would watching those same programs in the full glory of a 60-inch flat-panel HDTV improve the experience? Undoubtedly. It also likely would reduce the strain put on a hotel’s Wi-Fi access points through a hard-wired solution routed through the TVs.
I’m just not sure it’s an experience guests necessarily were looking for.
The mobile age has trained us to consume content via handheld devices with screens as small as 3 inches. One need only look up from his own device during a subway ride or flight to notice the complementary glow of other smartphones to see this trend in action.
Such behaviors will only become more commonplace as the next generation of travelers takes to the road. My nieces, ages 11 and 15, rarely look at a television screen; they watch their programming on smartphones and tablets while lying in bed or sprawled on the living room sofa.
I’m curious to see the usage rate of Marriott’s new service. A certain segment of guests will surely make use of it. I would count myself as one of them.
I just wish I could have done so five years ago instead of today.
Now on to the usual stuff …
What’s making me happy this week?
This list of kid-friendly themed hotel rooms, courtesy of Community Table.
With my own little guy turning 1 on Sunday, I can’t help but think of all the fun family travel in our not-too-distant future. What better way to wow him than with a stay in one of these fun themed hotels? (The pirate-theme room at the Legoland Hotel is at the top of my list.)
Stat of the week
79%: Percentage of respondents to a TripAdvisor survey who said they want to read a balanced review.
While the outliers—both the good and the bad—always should be monitored, it’s those middle-of-the-road reviews that are most valued by guests.
Quote of the week
“I’m so tired of hearing another brand for millennials. It’s just so boring to me.”
—Boutique segment icon Ian Schrager during a broad-reaching Q&A at the Boutique Hotel Investment Conference, hosted by the BLLA.
Reader comment of the week
“I see your point that Airbnb has won over the millennial generation; however, I would like to play devil’s advocate and point out their win is only on leisure traveler business. Hoteliers will continue to see business travelers booking with hotels. It just takes one bad incident, and hotels will start eating into Airbnb’s market share.”
—Reader “Alex” in response to a column from HNN contributor Ed Watkins provocatively titled “The war is over and Airbnb has won.”
I’m not so sure, Alex. Airbnb is actively rolling out a robust platform for business travelers, which will include seamless integration with expense tracking services such as Concur. Some companies already have jumped on board. Google is one of them, serving as Airbnb’s largest corporate customer.
Are there some guests who will always want the consistency and amenities of a hotel? Of course. But I’d caution against dismissing Airbnb as a leisure-only accommodations provider.
Email Patrick Mayock or find him on Twitter.
The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hotel News Now or its parent company, STR and its affiliated companies. Bloggers published on this site are given the freedom to express views that may be controversial, but our goal is to provoke thought and constructive discussion within our reader community. Please feel free to comment or contact an editor with any questions or concerns.