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Runtriz, an interactive design and software firm based in Hollywood, CA, has come out with an application to step up the hoteling business with current tech-advancements. The company ran a testing routine at some LA hotels, thereby launching their product of Hotel Evolution at Malibu Beach Inn, in Malibu, CA.

The app functions as a guest checks into the hotel; while checking them in, the help desk asks the customer(s) whether they have an iPhone or iPod Touch. If they have the gadget then the hotel staff loads the Runtriz Hotel web app onto their device.

Similarly, if they don’t own one of the Apple products, customers are handed a 16GB iPod Touch, that’s pre-loaded with the app, and they can keep it for the time-duration of their stay.

After the details you’re supposed to insert your room number and security code provided to you at the desk, which allows you to access all of the hotel’s service offerings at a click of a button. From the device you can:

• Order room service
• Set a wake up call
• Request your luggage; dry cleaning; a car (or a limo)
• Request linens or toiletries
• Check your messages
• Set your room to ‘Do Not Disturb’
• Access information to nearby nightlife, attractions, and shopping

Runtriz manages its web app remotely, that means that whenever a modification is required for the site, they don’t have to go through Apple’s app store or acquire every guests iPhone. This also means that whenever Runtriz looks to add support for other platforms (such as Android, and BlackBerry), the process would be carried out by simply tweaking the layout for each browser, rather than rewriting an entire application.

Okay, so now comes the difficult part. What does an application like this add to the hotel’s bill? Well it varies on a hotel-to-hotel basis, as Matt Allard, president of Runtriz states: the cost of the first month is generally about double that of the standard monthly fee of $10 per room. Looking forward to having this service in hotel near you? Well I definitely am.