Mobile way to book hotel rooms

Business, corporate figures, avid travellers and the public are now able to book hotel rooms under Cititel Hotel Management (CHM) through smartphones. Customers can use iPhone, iPod, Blackberry, Java and even iPad to book rooms on a specific date, check for rates, look at promotions and get their booking confirmation numbers withoutleaving their homes. In just under three minutes, guests can use their credits cards to do bookings on a secured line and get their booking confirmation.

At the push of a button: (from left) BE Lim, Fletcher, Jeane Lim and Low showing the iPad and smartphones that can be used to book hotel rooms under CHM.

On the screen that was demonstrated at the launch, it also showed the best rates for the rooms and promotional rates at www.mobilechmhotels.com. CHM, a subsidiary of IGB Corporation Berhad Malaysia, launched this innovative idea at The Gardens Hotel and Residences in Mid Valley on Tuesday. According to The Gardens Hotel and Residences general manager Gavin Fletcher, customers can do their bookings to eight hotels under CHM.

“The eight hotels under the group are The Gardens Hotel and Residences, Cititel Mid Valley, Boulevard Hotel, MiCasa All Suite Hotel in KL. St Giles Hotel Makati in Manila, Cititel Penang, Pangkor Island Beach Resort and MiCasa Hotel Apartments Yangon. “Soon, this method of mobile booking can be done for other hotels under CHM like St Giles Hotel, The Tuscany and St Giles Hotel, The Court both in New York and St Giles Hotel in Central London and St Giles Hotel in Heathrow, United Kingdom,’’ he said. Cititel Hotel Management Sdn Bhd marketing and rooms director Jeane Lim, Boulevard Hotel Mid Valley general manager BE Lim and Cititel Hotel Management Sdn Bhd general manager Edwin Low were also present at the launch.

Jeane said that by next year, mobile bookings would be incorporated into more hotels in Malaysia and abroad. “We want to ensure that our customers and guests are satisfied with our service and also want to improve on it. “In line with this, we also incorporated the My Passion programme that will create a totally fulfilling experience for all our guests at all times. “The programmes will have staff members being trained on a five-day intensive workshop. “It will focus on the importance of service delivery to all customers emphasising six key attitudinal traits — anticipating guest needs, providing guest recognition, friendliness, exercising flexibility, being courteous and having the right attitude,’’ she said.

-thestar online.