Experience augmented reality at Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers

The first season introduced in 2022 hit 8,612 impressions on site. A total of 4,551 guests opened the AR filter with 2,617 photos captured, 818 videos saved, and 147 posts shared across social media platforms in three months from November 2022 to January 2023.

Since 2022, Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers has utilized augmented reality (AR) to elevate guest experiences. The Instagrammable Spot has been created as an engaging space that entices guests to engage and be wowed with an interactive experience accelerated by AR technology.

AR works by superimposing digital information onto real-world objects to create a 3D experience that allows users to interact with both the physical and digital worlds.

As a visitor, the user might see the physical environment as a normal artful backdrop, but through real-time displays, overlay visuals present amazing scenes through a smart phone.

The Instagrammable Spot series introduces different concepts, ranging from the fishing village of Season 1 to the latest release, "Sheraton Channel," a retro CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) color television with a distinctive look and unique silhouette.

Visitors embark on a sweet nostalgic journey as it brings back an era of "the main source of entertainment for families' get-togethers" before the popularization of LCD flatscreens and internet-based video sharing platforms.

The Sheraton Channel broadcasts "Breaking News" with vibrant stories of Saigon featuring iconic buildings of Saigon, namely Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, the morning coffee talk, or the hop on, hop off bus.

Julian Wong, General Manager of Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers, speaks at an event. Photo courtesy of Sheraton Saigon

Julian Wong, General Manager of Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers, said that it's integral for them to create memorable experiences for their guests.

As a hotelier and as a brand focused on the community, the hotel provides guests with the opportunity to immerse themselves in local culture.

"Augmented reality is one of the most exciting technologies adopted by a number of industries as it brings a new level of interaction with a mix of the real and virtual worlds. This is such a great way to add some fun to the overall stay and allows guests to feel more engaged with the destination. Although enriching guest experience is based on human-to-human contact, technology can also be a powerful tool to enhance customer engagement and drive higher brand recognition and loyalty," the GM said.

Truong Thoai Yen, Director of Marketing Communications, also said that it’s been more than a year since the first Instagramable Spot season launched in 2022, with great feedback from guests and digital users.

"As one of the leading hotels in the city, we keep reinventing ourselves to connect with customers, especially with the growing number of visitors, either travelers or local diners desiring an immersive experience. Most importantly, with Instagrammable Spot, visitors experience AR easily by using a smart phone."

For this project, the hotel continues to collaborate with SoWat Station, an art hub of young and creative artists who are pioneers in technology application for art.

Visitors check-in at the Instagramable Spot Season 2. Photo courtesy of Sheraton Saigon

According to Au Uyen Van, Managing Director of SoWat Station, the Instagrammable Spot's season 2 evokes an emotional connection between the old days and modern culture.

"The artists are extremely fascinated by showcasing the true spirit of Saigon. The first Instagrammable Spot was so popular that in 2023 we could revive this cutting-edge project for such an art of storytelling," she added.

The Instagrammable Spot is set at level 1, in the foyer of Saigon Café restaurant, and will be open to walk-in visitors from Nov. 15. See the instructions on how to experience augmented reality here.