Sheraton (Starwood) has started rolling out Surface at select Sheraton hotels in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Seattle.! To me, this is cool, maybe not a deal maker or breaker for a meeting or event planner, but certainly cool.

What is surface? Surface is a 30" touchscreen display that several guests can access at the same time to get information about entertainment and local attractions. You will of course be able to access information about other Sheraton properties as well.

The neatest thing about Surface is the screen itself and the way that you interact with it. Think of an iPhone on steroids. Sheraton folks are saying that it will transform the "lobby" experience. I am not sure about that, a new coat of paint, some carpet, good guest service and a cool bar would probably do more, but it would add to all of these items.

I think it would be cool interact with the concierge where they could show you what they were thinking rather than just taking their word for it. When you tell them you want PanAsianMexiFrenchDian cuisine, you could actually show them the website of the restaurant you went to in Walawala to explain rather than having them try and guess what you are thinking.

My suggestion, swing by the hotels that have it when you are in town to get a glimpse of the future. Who knows, you might also find a great place for your next meeting or event, a thought I am sure that was not lost on one or two marketing types when this plan was hatched.

You can read the Microsoft release here!

Just a thought,

Keith