On arrival, guests get another electronic communication containing their room number and access option. The two access options are by using their phone as a key, via the OpenWays Mobile Key system, or by obtaining an RFID keycard through an automatic kiosk.

Thomas Westergaard, senior VP of Comfort Hotels for Nordic Choice Hotels said this was, in part, a matter of playing catch-up.

"The airline industry automated the check-in process 10 years ago, and we feel it is time that the hotel industry follows suit."

One of the make-or-break points on this experiment will be, as always, reliability. There is even less convenience in a time-saving measure malfunctioning than in its lack.

While most will agree that some automation is a boon, the disagreement may lie in what aspects of our interactions should be meat-free. Personally, I love not having to stand in line waiting for one distracted or chatty cash-register specialist for a pack of batteries, I have not found the automated airport experience anything less than panic-inducing.

How much of our travel experience do we want to appear convenient in order to save that last dollar, dinar or dalasi? These days, maybe every last vestige.

Circumstance did not allow for an ice hotel reference. I apologize.