JW Marriott San Antonio offers Amazon’s Alexa

“Alexa, ask the JW…” is the newest phrase being used at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. The resort is bringing Amazon’s Echo Dot to select rooms on property. With a simple voice command, vacationers can now reduce time spent on smart phone apps, searching websites or calling the front desk. Looking for the tennis court? Need to know where and when you can make delicious s’mores? Interested in grabbing a bite at one of the hotel’s restaurants? Alexa is the on-demand and in-room concierge ready to provide guests with a heightened experience and more time to enjoy the activities on property.

The Echo Dot is currently being tested in 10 of the resort’s rooms with plans to roll out additional rooms in the near future. The resort aims to enhance travelers’ stays by providing them with access to technology throughout the property including digital boards, mobile check-in, high speed Internet with extended bandwidth and connectivity panels in every room.

“We’re always looking to provide new and exceptional tools to elevate our guest experience,” said JW Marriott San Antonio GM Arthur Coulombe. “This technology provides immediate access to our experience schedules, room service, directions, restaurant information and more, saving time for our business travelers and giving those visiting us for vacation more time to enjoy all that we have to offer. We’ve always enjoyed being at the forefront of technology and this is the newest tool we’re excited to offer guests.”

Guests cannot currently request rooms with the Echo Dot, but the resort is planning a larger roll-out of the technology that may include that feature. Guests staying in an Alexa room are provided with a fold-out card letting them know where things are, hours and times, resort amenities and how to do certain things like make a reservation.  

The Echo Dot joins a host of other high-end technology offerings at the JW Marriott San Antonio including digital, touch screen boards throughout the hallways and gathering areas of the hotel to help direct guests and provide useful information. Entertaining Lily tables that offer interactive, touch screen games for all ages can be found right off the registration lobby to entertain the youngest of guests all the way to our business travelers. A robust technology infrastructure through a 10-gig backbone has been created to meet today’s ever-changing technology needs. Wireless capabilities are available throughout the entire property, providing guests and groups immediate connectivity without issue in addition to state-of-the-art fiber optic cabling and new wireless routers.

“Guests have already enjoyed the convenience and ease of the Amazon Echo Dot,” said Joseph Heiden, guest service manager for the property. “We believe in providing guests with the best and most up-to-date information possible to make their stay comfortable, enjoyable and memorable. Continuing to utilize new technology in our guest rooms provides a heightened experience and an additional tool to help guests get the most out of their time on property.”