Once guests are ready for their stay they want to have the easiest possible experience during the check in process. iPads can easily be configured to provide a true "desk-less" experience while maintaining the personal customer service that sets your brand and property above the rest.

“Hotels are realizing the importance of developing their online presence, particularly with mobile platforms, to capitalize on a crucial touch point for brand communication.”
Adam Weissenberg
Vice Chairman/Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Sector Leader
Deloitte LLP - Nov. 2010

The spectrum of check-in/check-out options will continue to expand with the various technology developments described earlier. The range would include traditional check-in desk, ‘hosts’ equipped with a tablet pc to guide you from arrival through to your room, self-service kiosks, Smartphone based check-in, use of biometrics and in-flight check-in – coupled with biometric or phone-based verification.
Hotels 2020: Beyond Segmentation
Amadeus - Nov. 2010

“However the hotel chain chooses to roll it out — kiosks, check-in pedestals, tablets or iPads — you walk to the lobby and whoever you speak to can handle your entire needs ... You sit on a couch and wait your turn rather than (stand) behind Bob who is arguing that he didn’t have the salt-and-honey peanuts from the minibar.”
MSNBC - Bill Briggs blog Oct.2010

Restaurant staff is also able to change specials and line items on the menu in real-time through a simple Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, which then automatically updates the signs without needing to engage the content management team. The next project in the implementation is to allow reservations to be made right on the screen, which becomes very helpful to guests in the mornings, for example when dinner restaurants are not yet open.
Hospitality Technology - May 2010

"Making the screens touch and interactive is so critical because people can touch and feel your brand, and by tying it into the Internet, we can offer RSS feeds and allow guests to check the weather or information about the area," explains Pinkham. "If a guest is in one meeting room, and wants to check the event timeline or check flight status they can."
"Interactive digital signage will eventually become a must-have technology, and I think we will see it become huge with the introduction of the new iPad from Apple," notes Pinkham. "The screen will be big enough to be mounted in a hotel lobby, and guest can use it to order room service or turn down service."
Hospitality Technology - May 2010

“...a fraction of consumer transactions at the moment are via mobile, most are done on the PC. The former can only go up; the latter can only go down. The main barrier is the cost of data and roaming. That’s the flip point. Once it’s reached, mobile payments will increase.”
 Ian Yeoman
Associate Professor of Tourism Management
Victoria University - Nov. 2010