UK: Criton Apps has signed up Edinburgh apartments The Knight Residence, part of the Mansley Group, to its digital concierge service.
Criton says it enables owners of holiday accommodation to convert their guest information book into a branded, and free to download, mobile app. Launched in December 2016, it now has more than 160 organisations using the service on trial basis and full sign-ups from serviced apartments, hotels, hostels and holiday lets are gaining momentum.
The Knight Residence, which comprises of 30 serviced apartments, is described as the highest profile customer to date, having been voted top for customer service 2017, by the hotel comparison website, Trivago.
The Knight Residence app, created with Criton, includes easy-to-follow directions and instruction videos on how to use appliances, through to maps, recommendations and links to nearby restaurants and attractions for a flawless customer experience.
Colin Stone, group general Manager of Mansley Service Apartments which owns and operates The Knight Residence, said: “The Criton app solves the problem of keeping the guest book looking good and up-to-date and literally puts all that information in the visitor’s pocket. It is great for providing accessible information about the accommodation, but we have also used our app to introduce lots of information about the city, with maps and places to visit, to enhance our customer service.
“Today’s traveller uses digital technology all the time, from booking to checking out reviews and recommendations, so we see Criton as a valuable way to tap into that mindset and build their connection with us – before they arrive, to help them settle into the apartment and as they explore the city. I am rolling out the app across all our locations and planning to create a Chinese version. I believe that the app, and particularly the ability to use videos, is incredibly useful for people who don’t speak English as a first language,” he added.
Julie Grieve, founder of Information Apps, which launched Criton, added: “Securing The Knight Residence as a customer has given the team a real boost. Its reputation for customer service makes Knight Residence the ideal early adopter of our app builder, which we believe is all about enhancing the guest experience. Criton literally provides the who, what, where, when and how about a place to stay via the touch of a screen, anyway, anytime – no more problems working key pads on arrival or switching on the heating, as visual instructions are on the mobile screen.”
“Apps are no longer the domain of large hotel groups, our app service is an easy and affordable route for independent hotels, serviced apartments and holiday home owners to offer the benefits of an app to their guests. As the hospitality sector looks to digitise their guest offering, we believe Criton will help operators do this without investing in technology over which they then do not have control of the content,” she added.</p
