Is this Australia’s most luxurious contactless check-in experience?

Three reasons why Byron at Byron, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort, will reopen as Australia’s most luxe post-pandemic hotel haven this spring

AUSTRALIA, 02 September 2020 – As Australia moves into post-pandemic travel territory, several progressive hotels and resorts are adapting quickly to meet the changing demands of travelers in 2020.

One property leading the charge (and change) is the iconic Byron at Byron, set to reopen its doors to the world (well, perhaps just Australia for the short term) as a Crystalbrook Collection Resort on 1 September 2020.

Fresh from a $6 million refresh prioritizing Crystalbrook Collection’s commitment to sustainability and the resort’s strong connection with the local environment, Byron at Byron has now added a new health and safety string to its ‘Responsible Luxury’ bow. A progressive investment that is a sign of post-pandemic times.

As part of the iconic Byron Bay resort’s phase 1 renovations, the pre-launch team consulted with Asia Pacific’s leading hospitality solution specialist, McLaren Technologies to work on a forward-thinking, tech-driven strategy that could be implemented quickly.

The outcome? A no-touch check-in experience and keyless room entry to assist with social distancing, while setting a high new benchmark in personal safety for luxury resort guests.

McLaren Technologies Managing Director Matthew White said his team was excited for the opportunity to collaborate and advise on the innovative project in what is arguably Australia’s most popular short-break destination.

“We were so pleased to work with Byron at Byron team on this timely project, especially given the community focus on responsible travel related to Covid-19 right now,” said Mr White. “It’s a wonderfully proactive approach and complements Crystalbrook Collection’s broader philosophy of connection.”

In pursuit of a ‘no-paper, no-touch’ experience for resort guests, McLaren has selected products from INTELITY – the leader in contactless guest experience and staff management. Travellers staying at the Byron at Byron from September will now be able to download a bespoke app to use during their stay via their own mobile device, or make use of new iPads available in each guest suite to order dining, request service, make amenity reservations, and access local and resort information.

“Put simply, the INTELITY in-room tablets and mobile app negate the need for cumbersome (and difficult to sanitize) printed compendiums, with all hotel dining, wellbeing and spa, and other service menus now available to guests digitally – from our devices or their own,” explained Mr. White. To further help manage specific service and dining requests, the INTELITY platform will be integrated to Micros Simphony point of sales platform – the most effective way to ensure the speedy and accurate delivery of meals direct to guest suites.

Propelling Byron at Byron’s guest experience to the next level is the resort’s game-changing mobile check-in experience. To achieve this, McLaren integrated the new INTELITY platform with Byron at Byron’s OPERA property management system, ensuring greater automation for a stress-free start to every guest stay. For the resort’s digital mobile keys, Assa Abloy security locks have been installed – a top of the line solution for added safety and security.

Byron at Byron General Manager, Julian Moore said the resort aligned with McLaren to harness cloud-based technology that would work with the hotel’s own operating systems.

“McLaren created a framework to help the Byron at Byron deliver its vision of helping guests connect with the destination, resort – and each other – in all service areas,” said Mr. Moore.

“For travelers in 2020, true connection now comes through experiences with your surrounding natural and design environment, the local community or cultural encounters. It comes via direct digital access. And of course, in a contactless check-in scenario like at Byron at Bryon it will be possible to connect with your own suite and resort services via a tablet solution, mobile, web platform, casting or even a voice platform.”

Our top three reasons to visit Bryon at Byron, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort this spring:

1. Style. From check-in to check-out, guests will be immersed in the resort’s surrounding tropical landscape in luxury style and comfort. The refreshed guest suites have been aptly named to reflect the resort’s setting. The Rainforest Suites on the lower level look into the rainforest while the Treetops Suites on the upper level offer elevated views of the rainforest. All suites front and rear verandas, rainforest showers and freestanding deep soak bathtubs. The spa will reopen in November as Eléme Day Spa, Crystalbrook’s signature spa brand, developed in consultation with leading spa expert Naomi Gregory.

2. Sustainability. Nestled within 45-acres of subtropical rainforest, Byron at Byron is returning with a more sustainable offering that supports the local community and shines a light on one the country’s most beautiful areas. In line with Crystalbrook Collection’s approach to Responsible Luxury and sustainable travel, the resort will make use of upcycled, recycled and locally sourced materials. The restaurant, Forest, will showcase sustainable and local produce, with 80% of all ingredients sourced within a three-hour drive from Byron Bay.

3. Safety. In a Covid-19 world, personal health and limiting exposure to risk is paramount to travellers. To help drive confidence, McLaren has installed contactless technology solutions at Byron at Byron to ensure that guests can maintain safe distances when checking-in and even access their hotel room, and nominated hotel areas, via their personal smartphone. Eliminating plastic and paper waste is a bonus.

McLaren Technologies’ Byron at Byron project is the fourth time the company has worked with the Crystalbrook Collection in Australia. In recent years, McLaren has worked extensively with the Crystalbrook’s portfolio of distinctive hotels in North Queensland to provide high-tech service platforms at three of its glamorous Cairns addresses.  Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort and the Bailey, a Crystalbrook Collection Hotel both enlisted the expertise of McLaren to install the INTELITY platform, developing branded mobile apps, implementing bedside tablets, and deploying mobile check-in with payment and mobile key via McLaren. At the Flynn, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort which opened on the Cairns Esplanade in April 2020, the McLaren team worked with the property ahead of its launch date to install the full INTELITY platform, including in-room tablets, a mobile app, contactless check-in, staff management tools, and more.

A specialist in ‘no touch’ technology solutions, McLaren has been providing keyless hotel room solutions as part of tailored hotel apps available to download on mobile devices in a variety of destinations beyond Australia since late 2014.

For further information visit https://www.mclarenint.com/ and https://intelity.com/.