Automated wake-up calls at hotels have become the norm, but now some brands want to differentiate themselves with a more personal touch. According to a USA Today article, the following examples show this move to personalization:  

• At the Westin Resort and Casino, Aruba, once you respond to the first telephone wake-up call, an employee goes to your room and knocks on your door to make sure you actually get up.

• At Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort in Los Cabos, a butler shows up at your room to wake you up with complimentary tea, coffee and breakfast breads.

• At the Mandarin Oriental and The Four Seasons, a person rather than an automated system will call to wake you up. If you don't answer, you'll get a wake-up knock.

• You don't want to oversleep at The Adolphus in Dallas. If you miss your wake-up call three times, a security guard will show up at your door.

Although most people have Smartphones, according to one study, 53% of guests still want a hotel wake-up call.

Discussion Starters:

• What's your preferred method for alarms at hotels? What value do you see in a hotel's personalized wake-up call?
• What are the potential downsides of the hotels' approaches, listed above?