Overview

Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, a prestigious hotel in the heart of Amsterdam, sought to engage its guests in a unique and interactive way during the holiday season. To achieve this, The Planet Polaris dev team, engaged by dreamteam Gys Godderis & Chandan Kumar Takur, launched an online Digital Advent Calendar application, accessible throughout December. This cool tool not only enhanced the guest experience but also bolstered the hotel’s reputation for embracing digital solutions.

Objectives

1. Enhance Guest Engagement: Provide a unique, daily interactive experience for guests during the holiday season.
2. Cross-Platform Accessibility: Ensure seamless functionality across various devices.
3. Backoffice Integration: Implement a comprehensive backoffice system for efficient management.
4. Promotional Strategy: Leverage the app to promote the hotel’s services and festive offers.

Solution

Digital Advent Calendar Explained

An Advent Calendar is a special calendar used to count down the days to Christmas. Each day, a new ‘door’ is opened, often revealing a picture, message, or in this case, a question for guests to answer.

Development

• Platform: The app was designed to be a web-based, cookie-based system, ensuring compatibility with all devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
• User Interface: An intuitive and festive user interface was developed, reflecting the luxurious and welcoming ambiance of Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam.
• Daily Questions: Every day, guests could open a new ‘door’ to find a question. These questions ranged from hotel trivia to general knowledge about Amsterdam and the holiday season.
• Prizes: Participants have the chance to win daily prizes, adding an element of excitement and encouraging daily engagement.

Features

• Cookie-Based System: The app used cookies to remember returning users, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience each day.
• Backoffice System: A comprehensive backoffice system was integrated to manage the content, track user participation, and oversee the distribution of prizes.
• Adaptive Design: The app’s responsive design ensured optimal viewing and interaction across all devices.
• Security and Privacy: Robust security measures were implemented to protect user data and privacy.

Results

1. High Engagement: The app saw high daily usage rates, with guests eagerly participating in the daily questions.
2. Positive Feedback: Guests appreciated the interactive and festive nature of the app, enhancing their overall experience at the hotel.
3. Increased Awareness: The daily engagement with the app raised awareness about various services and offerings of the hotel.
4. Data Insights: The backoffice collected valuable data on guest preferences and interests, which could be used for future marketing strategies.

Conclusion

We successfully created a unique and engaging experience for guests, leveraging digital technology to enhance the festive spirit. The app’s cross-platform compatibility and comprehensive backoffice system demonstrated the hotel’s commitment to innovation and guest satisfaction. This initiative not only delighted guests but also provided valuable insights for the hotel, paving the way for future digital endeavors.