Renaissance Hotels begins Navigator hospitality program

Renaissance Hotels announced its newest global hospitality program called “Navigator” as the hotel chain continues its efforts to provide hotel guests and local patrons with resources that allow them to be “In The Know” and discover a destination’s hidden gems.

“Navigator” is an on-site, online and mobile program built around a curated database providing guests with local indigenous recommendations about a variety of topics including food, spirits, retail, music, entertainment and culture. Partnering with W Cities (www.wcities.com), the world’s premier database of authoritative travel content, the new Navigator system is a combination of information from W Cities amplified with personal information and recommendations from the Navigator at each of the 145 Renaissance properties worldwide. Renaissance properties have trained “Navigators” on site who create an “In The Know” document for guests when they check into the hotel outlining specific recommendations in the city updated for that week. They also work one-on-one with hotel guests to curate experiences based on their specific interests and requests

The Renaissance Navigator database and information will also be available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users as well as all smart phone mobile web browsers. Consumers can download the Navigator application on iTunes for free during the months of January and February using the code “intheknow”. After February it will be available for $4.99. Renaissance Hotel guests will always have access to the application when they check into hotels.

“We are constantly looking for innovative ways to provide our guests with micro-local insider information and behind the scenes access,” said Tina Edmundson, senior vice president of lifestyle brands. “In the past year, we’ve launched RLife LIVE, a culture and entertainment program and partnered with renowned Blue Ribbon Restaurant Groups to introduce our guests to exclusive experiences they can’t find anywhere else. With the launch of our Navigator program, we will once again provide our customers with opportunity to discover the hidden gems around the unique neighborhood of each hotel through the eyes of those who know it best.”

Most concierge services have helpful staff, but the Navigators, who are the face of the new program, have gone through extensive training in order to be able to seek out and deliver this caliber of micro-local information. They are either from the city their hotel is based in or possess a deep passion about their city. They are required to continuously seek out new places and experiences on their own. Unlike some concierge services, the material recommended to hotel guests will never be based on previously arranged partnerships with locations that yield a financial advantage for the Renaissance property. All of the recommendations for guests come strictly from the Navigator’s personal experience, knowledge and research coupled with the information W Cities provides.

The program is also a unique resource for meeting and event planners. If a large group is checking into a Renaissance property they can let the Navigator know ahead of time any particular requests or interests of its meeting attendees. The Navigator, in turn, can customize an experience for the group.

Additionally, Renaissance Hotels is partnering with MOFILM, a global community of filmmakers, to encourage aspiring filmmakers and creative entrepreneurs to engage hotel Navigators to create a short film that demonstrates the best of a locale within easy distance of a particular hotel. The short films will be submitted to MOFILM’s panel of expert judges, and be eligible for a grand prize including a trip for two to the annual MOFILM awards in New York in the Spring of 2011 where the film will be screened in front of a global audience. Visit http://www.mofilm.com/competitions/newyork2011/renaissance for more information.