Based on actual hands-on guest research and feedback, Marriott International on Tuesday announced the launch of its newly redesigned Marriott Mobile app for Marriott Rewards members with a more dynamic and personalized experience.
The redesigned Marriott Mobile app for iOS users is now available in the Apple app store in five languages, with Android coming soon. New are expanded digital features; customized travel content; one-button navigation; and a new swipe-able discovery home screen.
The new app dynamically adjusts to personalize the user’s experience throughout their travel journey. From trip planning mode, getting ready to travel, in transit, or during stay, the app will display content and features based on what services members are most likely to need in that moment of their travel journey.
What’s inside the app
The Mobile Check-in/Checkout and Mobile Room Ready Alerts have been updated so when members check in using the app, for the first time they will now be able to request room upgrades and receive notification it has been fulfilled before they arrive. Also for the first time, they will be able to request a late check-out in the app rather than at front desk, which is guaranteed for Gold and Platinum Elite Members.
With the app’s new navigation, members can further customize their stay with Mobile Requests. Guests can use the app to chat directly with hotel staff before, during and after their stays for special requests that require personal attention, or choose from a drop-down menu of the most frequently requested services or amenities such as more towels or extra pillows. Mobile Requests is currently available at more than 4,000 hotels worldwide.
With the app relaunch, Marriott is also expanding Mobile Key, rolling out to more than 500 hotels globally this year.
For travelers in planning mode, they will now be able to precisely narrow down their destination searches by address or point-of-interest to find the closest, most convenient hotel, and to save their hotels for quicker future bookings.
For the first time, the app will deliver curated, original content from Marriott’s digital magazine, Traveler, based on users’ previous hotel searches or upcoming travels.
Navigation updates
Members will engage with the app’s new interface that features a “one-button” ergonomic design that offers thumb-tap access to everything the app has to offer.
The typical “never-changing” home screen has been replaced with four dynamic, swipe-able screens triggered by what travelers may need at a specific point in their journey. For example, members leaving on their trip will see Mobile Check-in and Mobile Requests when they open the app. The app will greet members with future travels with their Marriott Rewards account information and personalized destination content from Traveler based on preferences and data.
What’s next
Marriott will launch later this year real-time app messaging called mPlaces with travel and hotel information, recognition and offers at the right time and place for Marriott Rewards members throughout their stays. It will also greet members with a personal welcome when they arrive at their hotel. Over time, Marriott will add more personalized and informative content based on data and driven by beacons now installed at over 500 hotels. For example, members who typically workout while they travel would receive information about the location, hours and services of the hotel fitness facility. Other future app features will enable members to order restaurant and room service menu items delivered wherever they are, such as lounging by the pool.
Marriott added that in year’s to come the app will engage artificial intelligence to begin testing anticipatory service.