Marriott International has launched its first pop-up hotel innovation lab as part of the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles. The interactive hotel experience model will offer users a chance to test-drive a series of new concepts and technology for the Aloft and Element brands.
Included among the innovations is a dynamic new Element guestroom layout, promoting communal living with a central space linked to four guestrooms for guests to cook, dine, and lounge. Aloft will revitalize its F&B program, emphasizing fresh ingredients such as spinach, quinoa, and avocado, while Element will introduce tech-centric beverage concepts, such as a portable wine cart that automatically pours wine when activated by a guest’s keycard.
Keyless entry will be explored as well. User feedback will be aggregated via a swipeable digital survey to assist in perfecting the models.
At year-end 2016, there were 116 Aloft hotels and 23 Element properties across the globe. Element more than doubled its signings last year, while Aloft saw a 37 percent increase year over year. There are currently 150 Aloft and 73 Elements hotels in the global development pipeline, with 33 and 14 new outposts, slated to open this year, respectively.
