Marriott’s Moxy Hotels Let You Hang Out With A Custom Virtual Travel Companion

Moxy Hotels, a subsidiary of Marriott, has turned the typical hotel stay into a far more interactive experience even for those traveling on their own. Moxy Universe, Play Beyond gives you into an augmented-reality avatar twin or friend that encourages you to explore the hotel and participate in challenges in which you can win prizes.

Guests can visit the Moxy Universe within the app before arriving at the vicinity to create their avatar, customizing it with a variety of different hair and clothing options. The app makes use of the smartphone camera to superimpose a completely new digital world on top of real-world hotel surroundings.  

The first checkpoint will be Bar Moxy, which will greet guests upon their arrival. They will find a QR code to scan, which will transport them into a digital reimagining of the bar. Here, they will also be able to view holographic projections and take photos with life-size avatars to be posted on social media if they so wish.

The Fitness Center also has a series of challenges involving gym equipment, such as boxing bags and riding bikes. The app takes you on a journey where you can work out and have fun at the same time.  

Guests can then proceed to the all-day Grab & Go counter, where another challenge will appear on the app. Even the guest rooms have fun mini-games, such as a dance-off between you and your avatar on your hotel bed.  

These are just a few of the activities available to you when you stay with Moxy. The AR experience is available in Moxy hotels throughout the Asia Pacific region, including Osaka, Shanghai, and Seoul.

The AR app is the latest installment in Marriott’s move to bring gaming to leisure, following the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program’s sponsorship of a digital variety show, Gamer’s Paradise, which showcased the rise of esports and gaming culture in Asia. 

[via Marketing Dive and PR Newswire, images via various sources]