CitizenM's Mobile App Powers Contactless Stays

CitizenM is upgrading to a contactless experience powered by its mobile app. 

Using a mobile device, guests can open their rooms or create a keycard. Kiosk passport scanning will be  feasible through the app. Once a guest checks in, they can use their phone to open their room, order food and beverages, control the in-room experience, then check-out when they’ve finished their stay. Today, travelers have a renewed focus on health and safety. With the app and contactless experience, citizenM guests now have extra confidence in their wellbeing during their stay.

As an owner and operator of its entire hotel portfolio, citizenM has the complete freedom to execute new initiatives consistently, rapidly and globally. Most traditional hotels are under management contracts but owned separately, making it challenging to carry out new strategies. As citizenM owns and operates all its locations, any decisions made (e.g. hygiene, safety or technology) are implemented in one swoop. As the brand evolves so does its approach – to provide smart luxury for the people.

A Contactless Experience

The hotel chain fast-tracked, upgrading its technology efforts to create a contactless guest experience. All hotels remained open for essential workers – and while competitors closed, citizenM retained its entire workforce. Over 1000 unused iPads were donated to charities worldwide – including UK NHS Trusts, Hôpital Lariboisière in Paris and Hetrick-Martin Institute in New York – helping families and COVID-19 patients stay connected. Furthermore, at least 1000 rooms will be gifted to local heroes in communities surrounding the hotels.

The lifestyle brand was born during the financial crisis of 2008, once again proving its adaptability and resilience. Not only has citizenM evolved its savvy technology – setting new standards in the hotel industry – it has also implemented fully flexible individual bookings and free worldwide cancellations up to 24 hours before arrival until the end of 2020 for existing and new reservations. 

Safety at citizenM 

Since citizenM only offers one room type, implementing new hygiene standards consistently was effortless. Guestrooms feature minimal surfaces to clean, innovative materials like Corian, and no carpets, bedspreads or chocolate on pillows. They have always been independently ventilated with 100% fresh air (instead of being recirculated). The hotel brand has moved to an opt-in housekeeping service for extra hygiene security. Unless guests choose to have their room cleaned, no one will enter it. 

Now, every hotel has strategically placed disinfectant stations for guests and employees. Social distancing signs and safety routes are clearly set out. Electrostatic sprayers are also ready to sanitise luggage, public areas and guestrooms after check-out. Furthermore, all of citizenM’s laundry partners guarantee to deliver disinfected clean linen.