Marriott "Go Board"

Virtual Earth has a multitude of uses on the web, but now you can see it moving into the hotel lobby. Marriott is rolling out their "Go Board" which is a large screen in their hotel lobbies highlighting weather, news, events and other local information, but more importantly maps! Virtual Earth maps no less. 

The Go Board has a touch screen interface allowing users to view maps and get directions right from the screen. There's a full list of local points of interest for guests to browse through, see where they are in proximity to the hotel and get directions right to the respective location. It's not evident from the video, but you can touch the map and drag it for that fluid AJAX experience you've come to love.

And you thought Virtual Earth was for the web only. The Go Board is currently available at the Courtyard Fairfax Fair Oaks in Virginia. You'll see the Go Board in the following locations soon:

• Courtyard Baltimore BWI Airport, Maryland
• Courtyard Mt. Laurel, New Jersey
• Courtyard Orlando International Drive, Florida
• Courtyard St. Louis Downtown, Missouri
• Courtyard Chicago O’Hare Airport, Illinois
• Courtyard Irvine John Wayne Airport, California
• Courtyard San Diego Sorrento Mesa/La Jolla, California
• Courtyard Newport News, Virginia

San Diego made the list - very nice!

CP

Comments

• Anonymous
  March 25, 2008
  PingBack from http://www.travel-hilarity.com/airline_travel/?p=2227

• Anonymous
  December 10, 2008
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  March 16, 2009
  A couple clarifications to the posting from Billymac.  First, the GoBord does not cost anywhere near $50k and there was no charge at all for the printing interface.  Not sure where you got that information but it is untrue. Overall guest feedback on the GoBoard has been extraordinarily positive.  Just last week, we were introduced to a Courtyard guest who told is it was "the coolest technology that he had seen in a hotel and very useful."  Courtyard is the only hotel brand that has released a digital signage initiative of this magnitude and on such an impressive 57" LCD touch screen display. We are continuously seeking ways to enhance the GoBoard for the Courtyard guest and would look forward to speaking with you directly.  Please feel free to contact me directly at edoherty@fourwindsinteractive.com.