How augmented reality makes your hotel a digital experience
The "augmented reality" (AR) megatrend has what it takes to change marketing in the long term. We show you how augmented reality can already be put to good use for hotels today.
What is augmented reality?
Let's start by explaining what augmented reality (also known as AR) actually is. Augmented reality can be translated as "augmented reality". This means that the digital and analog worlds merge. While virtual reality creates an artificial world, augmented reality combines the "real world" with digital content.
Examples of augmented reality
Well-known practical examples of augmented reality are translation apps that translate text in other languages from the camera image into the user's own language. Solutions that use AR for navigation (e.g. the "Live View" function in the Google Maps app) have also been on the market for a while. The various video filters for Snapchat & Co. are also very well known. However, an app is required for all of these examples.
What's new with augmented reality?
Even though augmented reality has been around for a while, experts agree that the big breakthrough is just around the corner. The reasons:
- Numerous manufacturers are working on AR glasses, with Apple leading the way. The market launch of Apple glasses is expected at the end of 2022/beginning of 2023. You won't even have to hold your smartphone in front of your eyes to view AR content. AR glasses are fashionable "real" glasses, not clunky VR glasses
- Manufacturers such as Apple are increasingly integrating AR functions into their operating systems
- Thanks to WebAR, AR content can now be viewed directly in the browser - without a separate app
- Many online stores already use this option. Products can be viewed "in real life" before purchase
Augmented reality for hotels
How can augmented reality help hotels and tourism companies to present their products and services? What options are there for hotels, and do they need an app? The good news: it already works today, and it's easier than you might think.
Visualize hotel rooms and meeting rooms
The best application example for augmented reality in the hotel/tourism sector is the visualization of hotel rooms or conference and event spaces that require explanation: simply make them available as AR/VR variants on the website. Potential hotel guests can then look around the room of their choice - and book it directly.
A practical example: at CAB20 in Hamburg, you can rent so-called "cabins". Two cabins arranged one above the other form a kind of wooden cube. Are you holding an iPhone or an iPad in your hands right now? Then you can easily take a look at one of these cabins in real life here. You'll immediately get a feel for what a mini room like this feels like - and that it's not that small! It is much more difficult to explain something like this with words and pictures. Augmented reality or AR enables hotels to make their product "discoverable" in a playful way.
Make entire areas and surroundings of the hotel discoverable
What works with hotel rooms also works with the surroundings of the hotel, resort or campsite: let your potential guests playfully discover your area. How far is it to the lake, what highlights are there directly on the hotel grounds, where are the greatest children's adventures lurking - with augmented reality, all of this can be experienced interactively even before booking. In a way that no site plan, photo, video or text can do. A great example is the AR version of the Bärenhotel Südtirol (Credits: Karl Kratz/Mazing)
Go on a virtual journey now - augmented reality for your hotel
Do you now feel inspired to have your hotel animated? Your guests of tomorrow will be delighted. Let's discuss what augmented reality can do for your hotel today in a free introductory meeting. We look forward to augmenting your reality in the near future.
Now you've scrolled a long way. We'll be happy to reward you with deeper insights into real hotel website projects.
Gastwerk Hotel Hamburg
Like a tempting shop window.
Website design in a design hotel: The Gastwerk Hotel Hamburg has been setting standards for 20 years.
- Hotel website creation
- Digital guest folder
- Conference configurator
Parkhotel Quellenhof Aachen
A Q makes more of everything
From chain to independence: the Adlon Group Berlin acquired the Parkhotel Quellenhof Aachen from the Pullman chain in 2020. As the digital lead agency, XPORT is responsible for the traditional hotel's return to individuality.
- Hotel website creation
- Online marketing
- Social Media
Cabin Hotel CAB20
Cab-in instead of check-in: the Hamburg Cabin Hotel CAB20
Casual like a hostel, comfortable and stylish like a hotel: CAB20, the first cabin hotel in Germany, opened in summer 2021. We were asked to develop the matching website.
View project 
Superbude Guest Check-in
Registration form, upselling, payment, check-in - all digital
We digitize the guest journey: registration form, upselling, payment, check-in and key card creation in one solution - before arrival, on site at the hotel, as a kiosk solution or on your own device. Fully integrated with the MEWS PMS.
- Digital registration form
- Digital Guest Journey
- E-Commerce
Victor's Holiday Homes Portugal
Fantastic villas near the beach on the Portuguese Riviera
The Victor's Residenz Hotel group is not only well positioned in Germany. On the Portuguese Riviera, Victor's also invites you to spend your vacation in dreamlike villas.
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Empire Riverside Hotel Hamburg
Hamburg's lifestyle on 20 floors
The Empire Riverside Hotel is the "lighthouse" at the port of Hamburg. An international hotel with an enviable reputation.
- Hotel website creation
- Hotel conversion optimization
Beach Hotel Zingst
Online marketing for the vacation hotel industry on the Baltic Sea
How does productive hotel marketing work in 2022? For a location that was and is a hotspot of the German vacation hotel industry even before Corona?
Business hotel industry in Chemnitz: c/o56
360° digital marketing for the large city hotel c/o56 in Chemnitz
The history of c/o56 Chemnitz is a bit like growing up. From the lifestyle brand Penta to the outperformer hotel c/o56.
- Concept
- Web design
- Web development
- Online marketing
- Social Media
- SEO
- Hotel conversion optimization
- E-Commerce
The Randolins mountain hotel in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
These mountains. These lakes. This light!
Afterwards, it is a pleasure to present the unique architecture of this relaunch project.
- Concept
- Web design
- Web development
- SEO
- Hotel conversion optimization
- E-Commerce
RIMC Hotels & Resorts
A passion for the hotel business
The Hamburg-based RIMC Hotels & Resorts Group operates its own hotel brands. It also whitelabels popular hotel brands as affiliates.
Boutique Hotel Nixe
This is what mermaids and mermen dream of
The venerable Villa Nixe in Binz on the island of Rügen enchants at first sight. The website should do no less. "That's where I want to go, that's what I want to see!"
- Concept
- Wireframe
- Web design
- Web development
The chocolate hotel
Germany's only chocolate hotel
The Voss family is the 4th generation to run their chocolate hotel in Westerstede near Bremen. Truffles, pralines or chocolate suites? 80 rooms and suites, a wellness area and the restaurant tempt you to book in a sweet way. The centerpiece of the hotel is the chocolate lounge. Here, guests can enjoy a wide range of chocolate variations.
stuub
An honest look behind the scenes.
Hotel website relaunch at stuub.de: How we successfully implemented a user-friendly, technically sound website despite 87% additional effort.