Apple is bringing the AirPlay feature, which allows users to stream content from their smartphones to hotel televisions, to hotel rooms. This service was first available at hotels under select InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) brands. This innovation was announced at the World Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2023 and allows users to listen to movies, TV series, music or play games on their televisions during their holidays.
AirPlay era in the hotel
Initially, this feature is only available at some IHG hotels in the United States, Canada and Mexico; It is active in brands such as Holiday Inn, Candlewood Suites and Avid Hotels. Apple plans to expand this service to more hotels in the coming months. The AirPlay feature has the potential to make the time they spend at the hotel more enjoyable and interactive by giving users the opportunity to project the contents of their smartphones onto a larger screen.
The integration of the AirPlay service into hotel rooms was officially made available with the iOS 17.3 update. According to Apple's previous statement, this feature would be available at the end of 2023; However, due to some delays, this process was moved to 2024. Now, it is possible to access the full list of hotels that support this feature on IHG's website. Thus, when you make your holiday plans, you will have the chance to find out in advance which hotels you can benefit from AirPlay service.
The introduction of AirPlay into hotel rooms can be seen as another example of integration in the technology and hospitality sectors. While such innovations enrich the user experience, they also offer new service and advertising opportunities for hotels. Especially for users who follow technology closely and seek comfort in their travels, such features can become an important criterion in hotel selection.
The ability of users to freely watch their own content in their hotel rooms makes their personal experiences even more customized and satisfaction-oriented. This step by Apple once again reveals the brand's approach that prioritizes user experience and its structure that constantly pursues innovation. In addition, an important step has been taken for hotel businesses towards increasing guest satisfaction and integrating with modern technologies.