• by Chuck Martin , April 29, 2018

Features of the high-tech guest rooms at Hilton hotels are being expanded so travelers can use their mobile phone as a remote to control room features and access premium streaming, with complimentary programming from Showtime.

The hotel chain is extending its Connected Room technology launched last year so that hotel guests can use the Hilton Honors app to control lighting, temperature and television entertainment, including complimentary access to a library of Showtime shows completely on demand. No credentials or subscription will be required, and the service will come via a new application developed for Connected Room, according to an announcement by Hilton.

“Connected Room has set a new standard for the industry by giving our guests a travel experience where their room can be customized to their preferences, and also offers complimentary on demand access to Showtime service,” stated Jon Witter, chief customer officer at Hilton. “The availability of in-app controls is the next step in allowing guests to manage all aspects of their stay from the palm of their hands.”

Connected Room is being expanded across multiple Hilton brands throughout the U.S. with several thousand rooms set to be outfitted with the technology this year. Travelers who prefer not to use the app can still use a simplified TV remote with room controls included into the TV.