Designed with Amenities That Appeal to Science and Tech Aficionados
Developed by SMASHotels, the Marriott EMC2 is a unique, 195-room, 21-floor boutique venue located in Chicago’s upscale Streeterville neighborhood. Celebrating the intersection of art and science through its design, cuisine, and guest experience, the hotel invokes curiosity at every turn.
Thoughtful tech amenities include Amazon Alexa amplifiers in rooms, a library of 12,000 science novels, Smart TVs, Tempur-Pedic beds, wireless internet, movable workstations, and open-glass WetLab bars.
“We discussed adding something else to appeal to our educated, upscale audiences,” says Mr. Kevin Jacow, Director of Sales and Marketing. “Relay® service robots seemed like exactly what we needed to surprise and delight our guests.”
Because of this convergence of science and fun, “Leo” and “Cleo” were deployed as service robots when the hotel opened in May 2017. Today, these tireless robots still complete approximately 400 deliveries per week to 195 guest rooms.
“Our robots average two round-trips per room per week from our kitchen, bringing food and #BOTShots (alcohol in a covered shot glass) from our BOT 24.7 Menu to increase revenue,” adds Jacow. “They also deliver in-room dining, towels, shampoo, waters, and slippers.”
“In-room dining sales increased almost two-fold in the first two weeks.
The results have been amazing.”
Service Robots are a Social Media Sensation
“We started promoting them heavily through our Public Relations Department and on social media,” continues Jacow. “They’ve drawn a lot of guests. People will even call me at the front desk and ask, ‘Is this the hotel with Leo and Cleo?’ In fact, if you Google ‘Robot Hotel Chicago’, we come up first in the SEO listings.”
More than 12,000 Facebook followers, dozens of YouTube videos, and over 2,000 positive reviews such as, “Unique room service delivery by the hotel robots Leo❤️ and Cleo❤️” prove that these service robots are popular drawing cards.
The Results
IN 5.5 years since May 2017, Hotel EMC2 has accomplished:
“Aesthetically pleasing hotel. Staff members are all very attentive. Leo and Cleo, the room service robots, were awesome!” – 2022