Skip to main content

Google’s Nest Hub will soon act as a concierge for your next hotel stay

This pandemic will come to an end, and when it does, travel will resume. But if you’re like most people, you’re ready to take a trip now. Google is making strides to ensure more sanitary hotel visits by placing Nest Hub smart displays in hotels across the country. Doing so will make it possible to perform many tasks hands-free, so there’s minimal contact.

Google is leaving it up to hotels to tailor their guests’ experience by allowing common requests to be met with a simple voice command. Guests can say things like, “Hey, Google, schedule a wake-up call,” or “Hey, Google, ask for more towels.” The requests can be specifically tailored to each hotel.

Some hotels will even allow for fast check out through Google Assistant. This ensures guests don’t have to stand in line and allow hotels to turn the room around quickly for the next guest. Hotels can prompt guest satisfaction surveys to appear mid-stay and address any complaints guests may have before they leave.

The Nest Hub will also work as a hands-free media center. Guests can play YouTube to access the news, play music through compatible streaming services, and even watch exercise videos. If you have music you’d prefer to play, you can connect your phone through Bluetooth to broadcast throughout the hotel room. Google Assistant will let you play songs, skip music, and much more. The hotel can even make it optional to control the lights, blinds, and other devices within through room through Google Assistant.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Google Assistant will also be able to give answers about local information, including weather forecasts and CDC information on COVID-19 precautions.

Google also aims to assure guests worried about privacy that there is no camera on the Nest Hub and that no audio information is ever stored. Any activity on the Nest Hub will be wiped before the next guest arrives.

The new Google Assistant integration can be found in select hotels across the country, as well as a few hotels in the United Kingdom. Google says that more hotel partnerships are on their way, and that this integration is only one way the company hopes to work with other companies.

Patrick Hearn
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more. If it's a…
Nest Hub Max vs. Echo Show 10: which is the better smart display?
The Nest Hub Max on a table.

The world of smart displays is dominated by two companies -- Amazon and Google. Amazon is responsible for the Echo Show 10, while Google is behind the Nest Hub Max. Both offer large screens, access to a massive roster of apps, and the ability to connect (and control) the rest of your smart home. There are a lot of similarities between the two popular displays, but there are a few key differences you should be aware of before adding one to your home.

Here's a closer look at the Echo Show 10 and Nest Hub Max to help you decide which is best.
Pricing and design

Read more
Nest Hub Max vs. Skylight Cal Max: Which is best for your home?
The Cal Max showing a picture while placed near a shelf.

The Nest Hub Max is one of the most premium smart displays available. Offering a vibrant screen, support for tons of apps, and the ability to sync with Google Home, it's a well-rounded and versatile smart display. The recently revealed Skylight Cal Max is a radically different sort of device -- but it's still contending for the same spot in your kitchen. Instead of offering tons of apps and services, it's a streamlined smart calendar that wants to simplify your life.

Trying to decide between these two premium displays? Here's a look at the Nest Hub Max and Skylight Cal Max to help you figure out which is best for your smart home.
Pricing and design

Read more
Nest Secure will be discontinued in April – prepare your smart home with these steps
Nest Secure Review

Google is dropping support for Nest Secure on April 8, at which time users will see a complete shutdown of its features. Whether you're using it as a bridge for your smart lock or as a home security system, the device will no longer connect to the internet, rendering it obsolete.

Google has already reached out to impacted users to let them know about the impending shutdown, but is there a replacement for Nest Secure available in 2024? And what exactly can you do to prepare for the discontinuation in April? Here's a look at everything you need to know about Nest Secure.
Check ADT for a Nest Secure replacement

Read more