Meet RENAI: Renaissance Hotels' AI-Powered Guide to Local Gems

Meet RENAI: Renaissance Hotels' AI-Powered Guide to Local Gems

By Author

Published on December 10, 2023

Renaissance Hotels, part of the Marriott Bonvoy family, is stepping into the future of hospitality with its latest innovation, RENAI By Renaissance. This new AI-powered virtual concierge service is set to revolutionize how guests interact with their hotel environment and discover local experiences.

RENAI, short for Renaissance Artificial Intelligence, is more than just a digital assistant. It's a bridge connecting guests to the vibrant local scene right from their smartphones. Whether it's finding the perfect breakfast spot, a hidden cocktail bar, or unique local attractions, RENAI is there to offer curated insights 24/7.

What makes RENAI By Renaissance special is its blend of human expertise and AI technology. The service is an evolution of the brand’s Navigator program, where Renaissance Navigators – experts knowledgeable about the local area – provide personalised recommendations. These top picks are easily identifiable, marked with a distinctive compass emoji.

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RENAI utilises tools like ChatGPT and open-source resources to create a dynamic “black book” directory. Constantly updated by human Navigators, this directory ensures the suggestions are not just algorithm-based but also reflect the genuine local flavour.

Currently, the service is being tested at select hotels, including The Lindy Renaissance Charleston Hotel, Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel, and Renaissance Nashville Downtown. Eddie Schneider, the global brand director of Renaissance Hotels, highlights that RENAI By Renaissance is about making the Navigator’s local knowledge more accessible and inclusive.

Guests can initiate a conversation with RENAI By Renaissance through a simple QR code scan, leading to a chat via text message or WhatsApp. This feature is especially handy for pre-trip research, offering recommendations and exclusive deals on local experiences vetted by Renaissance Navigators.

After its trial period, Renaissance Hotels aims to expand RENAI to more than 20 properties worldwide by March 2024. The full launch will include more communication platforms and inputs from neighbourhood influencers, working alongside Navigators to enrich the global directory for Renaissance Hotels.


Palaniappa Electronics Introduces Thermostar: The Chemical-Free Steam Powerhouse for Hotel Hygiene

By Author

Published on October 27, 2025

In today’s hospitality world, cleanliness and sustainability are the cornerstones of guest trust. Addressing this growing need, Palaniappa Electronics introduces the Thermostar Steam Cleaning System, a powerful, chemical-free cleaning solution that is transforming hygiene maintenance across India’s leading hotels.

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Harnessing the natural power of superheated dry steam, Thermostar ensures deep sanitization without a single drop of detergent. In hotel kitchens, it cuts through stubborn grease, oil, and grime on cooking equipment, trolleys, and storage areas, leaving every surface spotless and hygienic. Beyond kitchens, it revitalizes carpets, upholstery, and bathrooms, effortlessly removing stains, scaling deposits, and odors while restoring original shine and freshness.

What sets Thermostar apart is its eco-friendly, cost-efficient, and odor-free cleaning process. By eliminating the use of chemicals, it safeguards both the environment and the health of guests and staff, an essential factor for hotels striving to align operations with sustainable standards.

For General Managers, Executive Housekeepers, and Chefs, Thermostar is not just another cleaning tool. It is a strategic investment in hygiene excellence and operational efficiency.

Behind this innovation stands Palaniappa Electronics, a trusted name in the electronics industry for over twenty-one years. With a strong presence across South India, the company is the authorized distributor for Samsung, JVD, and over eighteen global brands. It caters to hotels, hospitals, and educational institutions with a comprehensive portfolio that includes TVs, displays, laundry equipment, dishwashers, refrigerators, and more.

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Under the guidance of Mr. Muthu Solaiappan, Head of Operations, Palaniappa Electronics continues to strengthen its position as a reliable partner for the hospitality sector, combining technology, sustainability, and service excellence.

To experience the power of steam cleaning, request a Thermostar demo today and discover how it can redefine your hotel’s standard of clean.

muthu@palaniappagroup.com | +91 90030 45685 


Technogym Launches AI-Powered Checkup for Smarter and Healthier Workouts

Technogym Launches AI-Powered Checkup for Smarter and Healthier Workouts

By Hariharan U

Published on October 25, 2025

Technogym has launched its latest innovation, the Technogym Checkup, an AI-based assessment station that redefines how fitness and wellness are personalised. Designed to measure both physical and cognitive parameters, the system helps users understand their current health profile and prescribes a targeted training plan that evolves over time.

Starting with a detailed analysis of physical and functional conditions, Technogym Checkup uses artificial intelligence to determine your Wellness Age, a number that reflects how fit your body truly is. Based on this, the system recommends a precision training programme that adjusts automatically as your performance and lifestyle improve.

Once you log in through the Technogym App, the Checkup conducts accurate tests to evaluate body composition, balance, mobility, strength, and even cognitive ability. All this data is processed by Technogym AI Coach, which transforms it into a personalised, data-backed fitness plan that’s easily accessible through the Technogym Ecosystem. Whether you’re training at home, at the gym, in a hotel, or even at work, your tailored programme is always within reach.

The innovation doesn’t just stop at personal fitness. The system’s ability to calculate your Wellness Age offers a clear, motivating metric to track progress  helping users become not just fitter but younger in wellness terms. With its adaptive AI, the programme continually evolves to keep workouts aligned with your goals, ensuring better and faster results.

For gyms, wellness centres, and other industry operators, Technogym Checkup presents a powerful opportunity to offer next-generation fitness experiences. It allows them to deliver a smooth, personalised journey for every member, right from onboarding to ongoing progress tracking, while also driving customer loyalty and new business growth.

Founded in 1983, Technogym has long been recognised as a global leader in fitness, wellness, and sports innovation. With more than 2,500 employees and a presence in over 100 countries, the brand powers more than 85,000 wellness centres and 400,000 homes worldwide. Technogym also continues its legacy as the Official Supplier to the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking its ninth partnership with the Games, a testament to its reputation as the go-to choice for athletes and champions globally.

For more details, visit Technogym’s official website.


Airbnb Introduces Social Features and Platform Updates for Enhanced Guest Experiences

Airbnb Introduces Social Features and Platform Updates for Enhanced Guest Experiences

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 24, 2025

Airbnb is enhancing its platform with new social features for Airbnb Experiences, designed to facilitate interaction among guests before, during, and after their activities. The updates also include improvements to search, maps, payments, AI-powered support, and host tools to better manage listings and pricing ahead of the busy winter travel season.

The social features aim to strengthen connections between guests. A survey in India revealed that over 90% of respondents wanted to learn more about fellow guests before booking. In response, Airbnb now displays attendee information, including locations, and allows guests to message each other during and after experiences. The Connections section in the Airbnb profile tab also helps users reconnect with past contacts, while maintaining full privacy control over profile sharing and messaging permissions.

To enhance discovery, Airbnb has expanded search results to include homes slightly outside original criteria and introduced updated maps. Users can filter by landmarks, attractions, restaurants, and more, with future plans to add satellite, street, and transit views. The Reserve Now, Pay Later option lets guests reserve eligible stays without upfront payment, initially launched in the U.S. and slated for global expansion.

Airbnb’s AI assistant has been upgraded for smarter, personalised support in English, Spanish, and French across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The assistant can recognise users, reservations, or listings, offering faster responses and allowing common tasks like cancellations or date modifications directly in the chat interface.

Hosts gain new tools for flexibility and insight, including setting different cancellation policies for specific periods, receiving advanced price recommendations, and planning for seasonal trends. In the following year, hosts will also be able to view year-on-year earnings trends and compare seasonal performance through a redesigned dashboard.

These updates aim to create a more seamless and engaging experience for both guests and hosts, combining social connection, flexible payments, and smarter management tools across Airbnb’s platform.

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