US: Virgin Hotels has announced the latest updates to its mobile app Lucy, which now offers ID verification, cashless tipping and expanded room controls.
The updated app has been rolled out at Virgin hotels in Nashville, Dallas, Chicago and Las Vegas, with New Orleans coming this summer.
Guests can access the Lucy app by joining Virgin Hotels’ loyalty program, The Know. By integrating with The Know, Lucy can provide a connection between one’s loyalty profile and the booking platform. For example, Lucy’s ID verification allows guests to check in and use their own device as the mobile key.
“The Know program continues to gain popularity with our guests for its focus on personalisation and surprise and delight offerings,” said Doug Carrillo, chief marketing officer. “With the addition of the exclusive use of our app Lucy, Know members now have access to extraordinary experiences at Virgin Hotels.”
Available at most hotels, a cashless tipping service can be used to offer gratuities digitally to housekeeping, concierge and valet.
In-room lighting settings, including ‘Get Lit’, ‘Get Comfy’ and ‘Get in the Mood’, also allows guests to set the ambience from their phone. This new feature joins the app’s existing capabilities including thermostat, TV remote controls, and ordering room service.
“In the era of ‘contactless everything,’ it’s imperative that we continue to prioritise our guests’ safety and security,” said Denise Walker, vice president of information technology at Virgin Hotels. “With these new features, Lucy not only offers additional levels of convenience but also added peace of mind for our guests when traveling. Virgin Hotels has always put the guest experience first, and we’re excited to launch these expanded features and create an overall more elegant user experience for our guests.”
The Virgin Hotels app Lucy is available for Apple and Android mobile devices.
Virgin Hotels is a lifestyle hospitality brand by Virgin Group. Upcoming locations include New York, New Orleans, Miami, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. The company is currently exploring hotel and office conversions and ground-up developments in Boston, Los Angeles, Austin, Seattle, and London.
