Last year in August I had written about how Ushuaïa Beach Hotel in Ibiza had become the world’s first hotel to use RFID-enabled wristbands to engage with its guests. Then in June 2012 they rolled out a biometric payment system that pushed the boundaries of cardless payments.
Guests who wished to use the new PayTouch system were required to register their credit card details along with their biometric data of their right index and middle fingers with the hotel. After which payments at all facilities at the destination were done by simply pressing the guests fingers against a fingerprint recognition device.
Now for 2013 the hotel is gearing up to replace its 2011 RFID-enabled wristbands with the above touch technology. Special touch screens are going to be installed around the hotel that provide guests access to their Facebook profiles by simply placing their fingers on a biometric sensor. However the updates on Facebook will be limited to a selection of automated actions like taking a photo, updating their current location and liking the hotel’s ongoing event.
Ushuaïa Beach Hotel is truly setting an example for others in the hospitality industry by using technology to improve customer experience and spreading the word about their hotel.
Why this move is interesting
- It removes friction in two high-frequency moments. Paying and sharing become quick, repeatable actions.
- It turns identity into a service layer. Your fingerprint becomes the “key” across facilities and social touchpoints.
- It keeps social posting controlled. Limiting updates to predefined actions reduces risk while still enabling sharing.
In hospitality environments where guests move quickly and often, biometrics are attractive because they compress payment, access, and sharing into one repeatable gesture.
What to watch when biometrics meet social
The experience works only if trust stays intact. Clear opt-in, clear boundaries on what can be posted, and a simple way to stop using the system are essential when you connect payment identity and social identity in the same environment.
A few fast answers before you act
What is PayTouch at Ushuaïa Beach Hotel?
It is a biometric payment system where guests register a credit card and fingerprints, then pay on-site by pressing fingers against a recognition device.
How was the hotel planning to use fingerprints for Facebook in 2013?
By installing touch screens that let guests access their Facebook profiles via a biometric sensor and post only predefined actions such as photos, location updates, and likes.
Why replace RFID wristbands with fingerprint touch?
Fingerprint touch reduces the need to carry or manage a wearable token, and it can unify access and payments across the destination.
What is the main risk with this type of experience?
Trust and consent. The system needs transparent opt-in, clear limits on what gets posted, and an obvious way to disable participation.