Grab to launch hotel booking service GrabStays in S’pore, part of 13 AI-powered features unveiled at GrabX 2026

Grab has unveiled 13 AI-powered experiences at GrabX 2026, including GrabStays, a hotel booking service that will be launched first in Singapore, starting in May 2026.

The GrabX event is the ride-hailing platform's annual product showcase and was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Apr. 8 for its second edition.

Grab's 2026 theme is "Your Everyday Guide", and the 13 products launched help users navigate "local life, effortless travel and business empowerment".

Other highlights for Singapore include the launch of Personalised Travel Experience in the third quarter of 2026, as well as the rollout of GrabPay for Travel by the end of the year.

In the media release, Philipp Kandal, chief product officer of Grab, said: "We want the Grab app to be the everyday guide that handles the manual tasks, so you can focus on your day".

Opening address by Anthony Tan

During the annual product event's opening address, CEO and co-founder Anthony Tan explained that they have been building "AI infrastructure, fuelled by real-world, real-time signals".

He also introduced the company's next steps to merge AI and physical hardware in "autonomous vehicles, CCTV cameras, and very soon, robots".

Tan noted that Carri, a robot, "isn't a replacement for our drivers, but more of "a superhuman extension of them".

He also emphasised the firm's commitment to "AI-first with heart", a promise that Grab will "relentlessly pursue the best technology in the world to create solutions that make the lives of our users and partners so much better":

"A promise to be aggressive in innovation, but inclusive in impact."

Tan added: "We bear all the AI token costs because we know great AI isn't cheap, but it shouldn't be a luxury for only those who can afford it."

"Thank you all for your trust, for your frank feedback, and for your partnership to make AI work for everyone in Southeast Asia - and soon, Taiwan!"

GrabStays

GrabStays is a hotel booking service built under Grab's partner apps programme.

Grab will be working with Nuitee, an AI-first hotel ecosystem, to offer competitive last-minute rates.

As the user's information is already filled in, including preferred payment methods, bookings are completed seamlessly.

Users can also earn GrabCoin rewards for hotel bookings.

Personalised Travel Experience & GrabPay

According to the media release, Grab's Personalised Travel Experience turns Grab into a travel companion that consolidates information and reminders.

Grab creates a travel checklist and guides users to their destination with indoor navigation to the right baggage belt and pickup point.

Another feature, GrabPay for Travel, allows users to scan participating national QR payment codes and pay directly with their home-issued debit or credit cards already saved in Grab.

This bridges users with merchants across Southeast Asia that accept QR code payments but not credit cards.

Grab's "Cash Loan"

Cash Loan is a credit scheme that allows eligible users to select a loan amount and customise a repayment plan that fits their budget within the Grab app.

Using first-party Grab data and AI, millions across Southeast Asia who are new to credit or have limited financial history can have accessible credit.

In his opening speech, Tan said: "It lets us extend safe and responsible credit lines for folks who had previously no other option but to go for loansharks."

Cash Loan is available in the Philippines and is coming to Thailand and Malaysia by mid-2026.

GrabMaps for Consumers

Apart from the 13 AI-powered experiences, Grab announced the creation of an indoor map with the help of their driver delivery partners, who captured millions of images on their helmets.

During the showcase, Kandal said: "We realised that most maps just did not work for Southeast Asia, there were too many little alleyways, unnamed streets and shortcuts that our driver-partners rely on every day that weren't on any map."

Senior product manager Loo Soh Leng said GrabMaps tells users "exactly what time to leave", accounting for weather and traffic disruptions.

Custom voices through AI voice cloning for commute navigation were also revealed.

Loo said: "GrabMaps doesn't just plan your route, it also shows you what you need along the way. You can find [electric vehicle] EV charging stations, available parking spots and even public transport information".

She added that GrabMaps would also help with indoor navigation in malls.

Other features

Other features announced, such as Group Ride, Grab AI Assistant, Grab Shopping Agent, Discover by Grab, Cloud Printer and Tap to Pay have already been made available in Singapore.

Others, such as Grab More and Virtual Store Manager, were announced for other countries.

Top photo from GrabX/YouTube & Mothership