Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts are set to introduce a scheme tomorrow that will see approximately two million complimentary print newspapers distributed annually to guests replaced with environmentally-friendly digital versions.
The Hong Kong-based luxury hotel group has partnered with PressReader, a digital newspaper and magazine service, to make connecting to Shangri-La and Kerry hotels and resorts’ free Wi-Fi even more edifying. Guests and restaurant patrons will have unlimited, complimentary access to more than 2,000 local, regional and international publications from 100 countries in 60 languages.
“We know how important it is for our guests to stay connected, which is why Shangri-La was the first international luxury hotel group to offer complimentary Internet access and the first to extend free Wi-Fi to hotel cars,” says Greg Dogan, Shangri-La’s president and CEO. “With the introduction of PressReader, not only will we offer more value to our guests, but we will do so in a way that is environmentally-friendly and contributes to sustainable operations.”
To use the service, guests connect to the hotel Wi-Fi using their laptops, tablets or smartphones and go to PressReader.com or download the free PressReader app for Apple, Android, BlackBerry and Windows. Guests can then choose the desired country, language and publication from PressReader. The service will be available in all Wi-Fi accessible areas in Shangri-La and Kerry hotels and resorts. Guests using the free Wi-Fi in hotel cars will also be able to access the service. In addition to PressReader, Shangri-La will offer print editions of select newspapers upon request.
“PressReader offers guests access to a portable newsstand where they can download full editions of their favorite international newspapers or magazines to their own device,” says Igor Smirnoff, chief commercial officer for PressReader. “Guests can wake up and read their hometown paper in their native language from the comfort of their room, even before the issue hits their doorstep at home. We’re proud to offer an eco-friendly newspaper and magazine service to meet the global needs of Shangri-La guests with the amount and selection of content we provide.”
