How Much Service is Too Little?

There’s no reception desk. There’s no bell stand. For all you know, it could be any other apartment building on the block. But it’s not. It’s your hotel re-envisioning the way we travel in the AirBnb age.

Invisible service hotels are designed for the traveler who wants a luxury hotel but doesn’t want to sacrifice the freedom that comes with a rented apartment. You never see who cleans or prepares the room. All of your booking and check-in details are done by email, including a room code which is sent to you before you arrive. Hence, the “invisible service” label.

Not all invisible service hotels are created equal. There is a varying degree of how much hands-on service is required. Some hotels serve breakfast. Others provide different service-based amenities. And still others embody the idea wholeheartedly and you’ll never see another person during your stay.

Some of the noted disadvantages of an invisible service hotel are that there is no one immediately available if something goes wrong, or if something simply doesn’t go right. Who do you contact if the Internet password doesn’t work? And what about a concierge to give you advice about the city? Especially in a destination where you don’t speak the language.

These are things to consider as the hospitality industry works on the kinks of invisible service hotels.