Hilton Worldwide has integrated Google Maps into its HHonors app, giving members who book direct the ability to see more details about the hotel’s surroundings and their room’s potential view before making a room selection.
“Guest preferences continue to evolve and, thanks to our digital innovations and category-leading partners like Google, we’re providing even more personalized experiences for our Hilton HHonors members,” said Mark Weinstein, senior vice president and global head of Loyalty and Partnerships, Hilton Worldwide. “By continually evolving our Hilton HHonors app, we’re empowering our members with more control over their stay experience. Everything we do from a technology standpoint starts with the customer – both the feedback they provide and the experiences we observe. We invest in, anticipate and deliver what we know our Hilton HHonors members most need and want, hopefully delighting them along the way.”
The updated digital floor plans include detailed geographical information about the hotel’s surroundings. Hilton HHonors members can visualize where available hotel rooms are located in relation to city streets, public transportation, parks, bodies of water and other markers. They can see if an expressway is outside their window or if their room faces east toward the sunrise, for example. Additionally, members will soon be able to see where additional points-of-interest like landmarks or attractions are in relation to their selected room.
“Google Maps want to make it as easy as possible for people to get the information they need in a simple and intuitive way,” said Megan Boundey, Google Maps Product Manager. “With Hilton’s spirit of constant innovation, combined with the Google Maps API technology, together we were able to enhance the guest experience by changing the way travelers plan and prepare for their hotel stay.”
The map feature is now available on the Hilton HHonors iOS and Android apps and will be available on Hilton’s brand websites this summer.
To select a room, Hilton HHonors members can sign into their account via their mobile device, tablet or computer beginning at 6 a.m. the day before a booked stay. Upon selecting their arrival time, they are shown a floor plan of the hotel with a green circle denoting available rooms. Along with the enhanced maps, guests can view photos and details of their hotel room, ensuring the room they select matches their preferences. During digital check-in, Hilton HHonors members can also request a Digital Key at participating hotels and head straight to their room upon arrival, using their smartphone as their key.