Grand Copthorne Waterfront Invests in the Future with Aiello’s AI-Powered Smart Room System for Hospitality

Grand Copthorne Waterfront Invests in the Future with Aiello’s AI-Powered Smart Room System for Hospitality

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 4, 2024

In a groundbreaking move to elevate guest experiences, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel has partnered with Aiello to introduce the Aiello Voice Assistant (AVA), an advanced AI-powered smart room system. Nestled along the picturesque Singapore River, the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel is renowned for its luxurious accommodations, exceptional service, and strong commitment to sustainability. This collaboration marks a significant leap in integrating AI technology into the hotel’s ecosystem, setting a new standard for future-forward hospitality.

The Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel has replaced all guest room telephones with AVA, transforming each room into a connected, smart environment. Guests can now make hands-free calls, communicate with hotel staff, and voice their questions and requests, ensuring prompt and efficient service. For instance, room service can be requested directly through AVA, streamlining operations and enhancing overall efficiency.

Aiello's system also integrates seamlessly with other hotel systems, including the Property Management System (PMS) and the newly defined Hospitality Task Management System (TMS). This integration ensures that guest requests made to AVA are automatically assigned to the appropriate employees and departments, significantly reducing communication costs and optimizing efficiency across the hotel’s front office, guest rooms, and backend operations. Guests can use voice commands to control various room features, including the TV, lights, and air conditioning, or select smart room modes like "Good Morning" and "Good Night" for added convenience and comfort.

"We are excited to introduce AVA at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel as part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing guest experiences through innovation," said Mr. Andrew Tan, General Manager of Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. "With AVA's integrated IoT capabilities, guests can experience a new level of convenience and personalized service, reflecting our dedication to delivering exceptional hospitality."

Aiello's CEO and Co-founder, Mr. Vic Shen, emphasized the transformative impact of AI integration: "Through our partnership with Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Aiello is proud to lead the charge in redefining hospitality with advanced AI technology. By replacing traditional phones with AVA and integrating IoT-connected smart rooms, we aim to set a bold new standard for intuitive guest interactions."

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This innovative guest interface not only enhances operational efficiency but also elevates the overall guest experience, marking a significant leap forward in hospitality technology.

About Aiello

Aiello is a leading provider of Voice AI in the hospitality industry. Its flagship product, Aiello Voice Assistant, is a multi-award-winning talk & touch voice AI technology solution aimed at streamlining hotel operations, enhancing the guest experience, and generating insights about customer behavior. Since 2019, Aiello Voice Assistant has been deployed in over 100 hotels, encompassing 10,000 rooms, and has answered over 14 million inquiries from 2.5 million end users in Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and English. Learn more at Aiello's official website.

About Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore

An award-winning and sustainable riverside hotel, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city; an ideal one-stop-shop for travelers of all kinds. This picturesque waterfront location along the bank of the Singapore River offers easy accessibility to the business and shopping districts, enabling business and leisure travelers the best of both worlds. Our international awards and accolades include Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Award 2023, Best Convention Hotel Singapore (2019-2020), Best Luxury Hotel Singapore (2018-2019), International Five Star Hotel (2019-2020), NTUC Digital Learning Transformation Award 2018, and BCA Green Mark Platinum 2015-2021 by the Building and Construction Authority. Visit Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel for more information.

About Millennium Hotels and Resorts

Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) is the global brand of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Limited (M&C), a global hotel company which owns, manages, and operates over 145 hotels across some 80 locations. It has several distinct hotel brands, including Grand Millennium, Millennium, M Social, Copthorne, and Kingsgate, throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East, New Zealand, and the United States. Visit Millennium Hotels for more information.

For further information, please contact:

  • Amy Lai Marketing Manager, Aiello E-mail: amy.lai@aiello.ai

  • Carolyn Wishnowski Director, Global Branding, Marketing & Loyalty, Millennium Hotels and Resorts Email: Carolyn.Wishnowski@millenniumhotels.com


Nirvana Being and Greenr Café Unite for Pollution-Free Dining

Nirvana Being and Greenr Café Unite for Pollution-Free Dining

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 9, 2025

In a landmark initiative to combat the effects of air pollution, Nirvana Being, India’s leading clean air solutions provider, has joined hands with Greenr Café, a popular health-conscious eatery chain, to establish “Pure Air Zones” at its outlets. This collaboration is setting new standards in the hospitality industry by making clean, breathable air a key aspect of the dining experience.

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Patrons at Greenr Café’s Greater Kailash and Vasant Vihar locations are greeted by real-time displays of AQI (Air Quality Index), PM2.5, and CO2 levels, both indoors and outdoors. This transparency reflects a firm commitment to environmental accountability and health-focused dining. These safe air zones are made possible through advanced ventilation, filtration, and automation systems installed by Nirvana Being, ensuring patrons can breathe easy while enjoying their meals.

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Jai Dhar Gupta, Founder of Nirvana Being, highlighted the importance of this initiative:
“As more people experience health complications due to toxic air, there is a growing demand for safe spaces where they can dine and gather without compromising on health. Our collaboration with Greenr Café reflects a shared vision to offer patrons clean air they can trust, setting a new benchmark for health and safety in India’s hospitality sector. Our aim is to inspire other businesses to adopt similar clean air standards, making indoor air quality a priority in all public spaces for the well-being of our communities.”

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Echoing this sentiment, Niharika Jain, Founder of Greenr Café, emphasized the role of clean air in holistic wellness:
“Air and water are fundamental to human health and existence, and everyone should have the right to access them in their purest form. At Greenr, our aim is to create spaces where people can come together, enjoy wholesome food, and feel their best. With the alarming rise in air pollution, it became equally important for us to ensure our patrons could breathe clean, safe air while they are here.”

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This partnership not only enhances the Greenr Café experience but also underscores the importance of creating eco-conscious public spaces. By combining Greenr’s commitment to holistic wellness with Nirvana Being’s expertise in clean air solutions, the initiative is a step towards a future where safe, breathable air becomes a standard in India’s hospitality sector.

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Together, Nirvana Being and Greenr Café are inspiring a broader movement towards health-first, environmentally sustainable public spaces, proving that even small steps can lead to significant change.


Balmer Lawrie Invests in Pod Hotel Startup NapTapGo

Balmer Lawrie Invests in Pod Hotel Startup NapTapGo

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 5, 2025

Balmer Lawrie & Co Ltd, a central public sector undertaking, has made a significant equity investment in NapTapGo, a budding startup in the hospitality sector. This initiative aligns with the government's Startup India programme, showcasing the company's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting emerging businesses.

NapTapGo is at the forefront of redefining affordable luxury through its unique pod hotel concept. Pod hotels are compact accommodations designed for short stays, offering basic yet efficient amenities. Their space-saving design and affordability have made them increasingly popular among travelers worldwide.

The investment, valued at INR 1 crore, was announced as part of Balmer Lawrie’s annual startup fund programme. While specific funding terms remain undisclosed, the company highlighted its intent to boost the startup ecosystem and encourage creative solutions in the hospitality sector.

To ensure top-notch services, NapTapGo integrates AI and IoT into its facilities, enhancing hygiene, quality, and customer experiences. This tech-driven approach aligns with modern travelers' preferences, emphasizing convenience and efficiency.

Balmer Lawrie has partnered with IIM Lucknow’s Enterprise Incubation Center (EIC), a premier incubator, to extend incubation support, mentorship, and industry connections to startups like NapTapGo. The collaboration underscores the company's dedication to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship.

Speaking about the initiative, Adhip Nath Palchaudhuri, Chairman and Managing Director of Balmer Lawrie, remarked, “We firmly believe that investing in innovation and supporting emerging entrepreneurs will contribute significantly to nation building.”

Nitin Malhotra, founder of NapTapGo, expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “This investment demonstrates the government's commitment to driving innovation in the tourism sector.”

As part of its vision, Balmer Lawrie continues to encourage projects that align with national development goals while promoting sustainable and innovative solutions.


Air India Introduces In-Flight Wi-Fi on Domestic Flights

Air India Introduces In-Flight Wi-Fi on Domestic Flights

By Nishang Narayan

Published on January 3, 2025

Air India has become the first Indian airline to offer in-flight Wi-Fi services on domestic flights, setting a new benchmark in aviation connectivity. Passengers flying on Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9, and select Airbus A321neo aircraft can now enjoy complimentary internet services during an introductory period.

This service is available on both domestic and international routes, allowing travelers to browse, stay active on social media, complete work tasks, or stay connected with loved ones while flying. Accessible on devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, the Wi-Fi also supports multiple device connections at altitudes above 10,000 feet.

Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Air India, stated, “Connectivity is now an integral part of modern travel. For some, it is about the convenience and comfort of real-time sharing, while for others, it is about greater productivity and efficiency. Whatever the purpose, we are confident that our guests will appreciate having the option of connecting to the web and enjoy the new Air India experience on board these aircraft.”

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The introduction of Wi-Fi on domestic routes follows a successful pilot program on international flights to destinations such as New York, London, Paris, and Singapore. Air India plans to progressively expand the service across its fleet in the near future.

To access the service, travelers simply:

  1. Enable Wi-Fi on their device.
  2. Select the 'Air India Wi-Fi' network.
  3. Enter their PNR and last name on the redirected Air India portal.
  4. Enjoy complimentary internet access.

In-flight Wi-Fi performance may vary based on factors like satellite connectivity, bandwidth usage, and route-specific restrictions. With this innovative step, Air India continues to enhance the travel experience, combining connectivity with comfort and convenience.

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