Easy does it: Top Destinations for the Tech-Savvy Traveler
We recently revealed that “ease” will be at the forefront of judgment for 2019 travel choices. And with tech gadgets irreversibly incorporated into most people’s everyday lives, it’s no surprise that 44% of global travelers* look for high tech accommodation when planning a trip abroad.
Travelers' expectations of tech advancements aren’t those from Sci-Fi films though, with travelers more enthusiastic about practical tech such as real-time luggage tracking through a mobile app (57%) and having a single app for all their planning, booking and travel needs (57%) than the prospect of using self-driving transportation in their destination (40%).
From quickly accessing key information about a destination, to finding their way around and booking attractions – a smart-phone free holiday seems like a thing from the past. If you consider yourself to be part of the 47% of global travelers that find technology makes the booking process easier, then look no further. We've scoured our millions of listings around the globe to curate a custom list of top tech stays for the savvy traveler.
Silicon Valley, USA
Silicon Valley, famously known as the tech capital of the world, can be found in the southern San Francisco bay area and is the perfect location for tech and social media enthusiasts. As the home to some of the best-known global tech companies, it provides you with countless opportunities to fill your Instagram feed with new content captured outside of their global HQs. If the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley doesn’t sound appealing, you can also visit The Tech Museum of Innovation, NASA’s Ames Research Center and many other tech attractions nearby.
Where to stay: Located in the heart of Silicon Valley and a short walk from many tech attractions and trendy shops and restaurants of Santana Row, Aloft Cupertino surprises guests with a robot butler, who hands out poolside towels and will brings snacks to your rooms. But this isn’t all, if you're using the on-site business suite, the robotic butler also alerts you of any deliveries you might have received, making your stay qually parts stress-free and futuristic.
Shenzhen, China
Located in southeastern China near Hong Kong, Shenzhen is known as the most technically advanced city in China and is often hyped as China’s Silicon Valley. Appealing to travelers from across the globe, Shenzhen, also the heart of tech production in China, is the perfect place to acquire new gadgets at a great price. So why not take a trip to COCO Park, a bustling shopping complex, for a browse?
Where to stay: Bringing the future directly to you, the Pengheng Space Capsules Hotel is the ideal place if you're seeking a tech-oriented accommodation. Located right off the Subway Line 1 that connects people to the COCO Shopping Park, this futuristic hotel has been kitted out with space-ship-like decoration including capsule beds. But if that isn’t enough for your techy travel dreams, the staff, from the front desk team, to the waiters and the doormen are all robots.
London, UK
London is another great example of a destination catering to the tech enthusiast’s every need, with the Science Museum, the Retro Computer museum and the We The Curious, an innovative science center, on offer. Most of these activities can be visited for free, meaning you can embrace the tech lover within without having to pay a penny.
Where to stay: If you prefer to try technology before buying it for yourself, explore some of the coolest gadgets whilst staying at the Eccleston Square Hotel located in Pimlico. In this stylish hotel, which opened as London’s most high-tech hotel, every room features a tablet that enables guests to control the lighting, curtains and sound. Making the experience even more futuristic, you can also browse through and then order the full concierge service on their large 46inch flat-screen 3D TV.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin, a city well known for its history and culture, is turning more and more into the perfect destination for global travelers interested in tech. From the Sony Store, which houses their German headquarters, to the Museum of Film and Television and the Game Science Center, an interactive exhibition allowing guests to experience technology, art and games of the future.
Where to stay: NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse is a stunning hotel located in central Berlin. This tech lover’s dream accommodation is perfect for business travelers, as when staying at this hotel, you never need to ‘miss’ a meeting again, as this tech-savvy property provides holographic technology, including 3D projections of business presentations for their guests.
Seoul, South Korea
South Korea is known for its super savvy technology scene, including being home to some of the world’s industry-leading tech companies and many futuristic attractions such as Seoul’s Robot Museum. The Robot Museum takes guests through time showcasing some of the earliest models to the robotic designs of today. If experiencing tech is your thing, the VR Plus Cafe is a virtual reality dream. You can ride the VR Coaster, a simulated entertainment ride as well as try out one of the best known VR headsets in the industry today.
Where to stay: The Plaza Seoul, Autograph Collection offers boutique accommodation with a tech savvy twist. Each room is equipped with a touch screen that allows you to take control of the room lighting, room temperature and even open and close your curtains with just a tap of your finger.
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* Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who have taken a trip in the last 12 months/plan to take a trip in the next 12 months. In total 21,500 respondents were polled (including 1,000 each from Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, China, Brazil, India, US, UK, Russia, Indonesia, Colombia and South Korea; and 500 each from Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Croatia, Taiwan, Mexico, Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore and Israel). Respondents completed an online survey between 10th August to 30th August 2018.