Starting 1st March 2012, Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa will be transformed into the new Sandos Cancun Luxury Experience Resort, as the Sandos brand takes over the hotel property to add yet another gem to their luxury collection of Cancun hotels and resort.
The former Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa has been owned and operated by Sandos Hotels & Resorts since 2010 and ever since then it has been upgraded and adapted to be ready to offer the Total Gourmet Experience – a High End All Inclusive Programme by Sandos to all its guests.
In conjunction with the new deluxe all inclusive programme, Sandos has fully renovated the resort’s Lobby Bar, which opened this past December 2011. By March 1st 2012, when the hotel’s full name change takes effect and the re-branding process is completed, the hotel will have added two brand new restaurants to delight the palates of guests with luxury culinary creations and a superior gourmet experience.
These changes will have a positive impact on all stays and as such the resort will be providing a special price to upgrade from European Plan (room only) to Total Gourmet Experience (AI) for those guests who already booked their Cancun holidays at the resort under the former European Plan for dates from March 1st 2012 onwards.
As stated by Mr. Alan Duggan in his recent communication, both companies, Starwood Hotels & Resorts (former owners of Le Meridien Cancun) and Sandos Hotels & Resorts, are fully committed to the smooth transfer of brands and the satisfaction of their guests for better and enhanced luxury experiences during Cancun holidays at the new Sandos Cancun.
Before the takeover, Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa was already a highly successful and acclaimed luxury resort with a Four Diamond restaurant and a distinctly glamorous French touch. Offering the best of Mexican hospitality perfectly complemented by timeless elegance with the finest European-style spa in Cancun, Le Meridien Cancun already had a reputation as one of the top Latin American resorts, as judged by Conde Nast Travellers’ Reader’s Choice Poll. The new takeover by Sandos will only add to the property’s prestige, with renovated interiors, upgraded rooms and a new set of lavish facilities for truly luxurious holiday experiences in Cancun.
HOSPITALITY IPTV True Unified Communications for Hotels
IPTV is the new buzz word in the hospitality sector and with good reason as it opens up a whole new world of interactivity and endless possibilities, which ultimately increases guest satisfaction and if designed correctly, will increase hotel revenue. However according to Wowtels managing director, Pietro Casoar, (www.wowtel-dreamwise.com), the Dreamwise IP unified communications system can provide much more than just TV to hotels. In this article we shall explore some critical elements that can dramatically benefit hotel operators by implementing the Wowtel Dreamwise system.
Lets take a look at some of the key points regarding the current conventional technology used in vast majority of hotels today. Conventional TV systems (Hotel MATV) consist of 2 main features:
A limited number of Live TV channels due to the coaxial cable networks installed
NVOD or Near Video On Demand
the technology falls short of providing any additional information and interactive services that may provide any real benefit to the guest and hotel at the same time. NVOD in itself is quite limited and is more than an inconvenience to guests as it requires them to wait for the movie to start, rather than immediately viewing the movie once the movie purchase has been made, says Mr. Casoar.
Standard MATV Technology
The overwhelming majority of hotels currently use standard MATV systems to provide TV to their guests via RF (radio frequency) equipment and cable called coaxial cable which was invented by Oliver Heaviside way back in 1929. Although the cable is widely used in most hotels and is a legacy technology, it is utilized to provide TV channels, NVOD movies and some promotional media. However according to Mr. Casoar, MATV systems fall short of giving any real interactivity or depth to the hotels communications network. What most people dont realise with current hotel MATV systems is that even though the channels come from a digital source, in 99% of cases the channels are actually converted and broadcast in analogue, thus greatly reducing picture quality, adding probability of interference which most of the time results in snow, thus, amongst so many other factors, basically resulting in a sub-standard service compared to todays high standards. Whereas our Wowtel Dreamwise system works on full digital IP technology, bad picture quality doesnt exist in our systems, says Mr. Casoar.
Conventional TV system shortcomings:
Channels are broadcast in Analogue and in standard definition
No High Definition Channels are possible using analogue
Poor picture quality TV channels
Susceptibility to Interference
Lack of personalization for guests
Limitation of the number of TV channels offered
Incapacity to provide interactive features to guests
No capacity to provide interactive e-commerce or marketing
Why use IPTV over the current analogue Hotel MATV Systems?
IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is a system which Television Channels and Movie content is converted into data and transported through an IP network (a LAN) using either the hotels existing standard copper telephone cables thus eliminating the need for re-cabling or with Fibre Optic or Category 6 cables in new hotels. The digital data is then transported through the IP infrastructure, directly to each room via an IP Set Top Box or IP Television Set and guests can simply access the TV channels and other content using a standard TV remote control. For more advanced usage such as writing documents, emails etc… a wireless keyboard can be used.
What this means is that not only can the hotel now provide 1080p high definition Television and real Video On Demand (VOD), but other technologies such as IP Telephony, Internet and fully interactive promotional services can now be provided to each guest using the same single I.P. network infrastructure thus resulting in reduced cabling and labour costs whilst significantly adding value to the hotels communications system.
What are the highlights that make Wowtel-Dreamwise IP System the best choice?
No limitations on the number of TV channels that can be provided to guests
Provide a comprehensive local and international TV and radio channel line up
True Video On Demand (VOD) with full Play/Pause/Rewind/Fast Forward capabilities
On Demand free movie trailers to encourage movie purchase
Additional local and international Radio Channels (Via satellite and Internet)
Music On Demand (Inc. Music Video) with literally thousands of music titles
Fully customized guest interface and Middleware
Private messaging from front desk to guest
E-commerce and in-house shopping from TV screen
Targeted Direct marketing and Promotions
Full Interactive capability
Personalization services
Online bookings via the TV screen/remote control
Real time weather reports, flight information and other information services
Guests can view their bill before checkout
Full PMS integration for single billing solutions on guest checkout
What are some other services that can be added to the Wowtel-Dreamwise system?
Real time automated IP Security and Monitoring
Hacker detection, Anti-Hacker response and guest protection
24/7 Quality control
IP Telephony and VoIP Communications (including Skype Connectivity)
IP CCTV Security Video Cameras (Including PTZ)
IP Public Address (for security and mood creation requirements)
IP Access Control
IP Intercom
Secure and Encrypted Remote Access
Business applications and Video Games
What are the main benefits for Hotels?
Additional and Increased Revenue Generation
Improved Customer Satisfaction
Immediate Customer Service Response
Interactive Advertising and Promotional Vehicles
Better Market and Hotel Performance Intelligence
Greatly Reduce Printing, Stationary and Operational costs
About the Author:
Andrew Spence is a hotel specialist communications consultant and freelance journalist, with over 35 years experience providing sound advice to the global hospitality / lodging industry.
About Wowtel
Pietro Casoar is the Managing Director of Wowtel and an engineer, who has over 16 years of global experience in the RF and IT industries. He is also the author of several technical papers and presentations relating to RF and IP communications systems. Mr. Casoar is also one of the founders of Wowtel Pty Limited and the Wowtel-Dreamwise system, together with Mr. Vincent Fitzpatrick.
Pietros linkedin profile: http://au.linkedin.com/pub/pietro-casoar/7/165/a61
Wowtel are a manufacturer and provider of full turn-key unified IP communications to hotels, resorts, mining villages, hospitals, retirement villages, serviced apartments, ocean liners, housing estates, government and most major projects. Wowtel operate in the Asian, European and Oceania markets.
Looking forward to a stay in New York hotels? With the best in luxury hotels available across New York, you can enjoy a hotel stay in utmost comfort.
Exploring Options
As a prominent city of America, New York is a leading name among tourist hot spots. Each year, many people head toward New York from all over the world. There are many New York hotels offering comfortable accommodation in several prime locations across the city. Hotels in New York are usually categorized on the basis of location into the following:
* Staten Island Hotels,
* Queens Hotels,
* Brooklyn Hotels,
* Times Square Hotels,
* Long Island Hotels,
* Bronx Hotels, and
* Airport Hotels.
Offering the best in services and ambience, New York hotels are at par with the leading hotels anywhere in the world.
Getting To Know The City
With the Internet connecting the entire world into a single web, information on almost any subject is available at the click of a mouse button. For the people interested in New York and all that the city has to offer, there are many websites available today offering a host of information. Prominent websites pertaining to New York provide the details regarding hotel accommodation in the city as well as offer information on major attractions as well. Today, there are many well-maintained websites offering a great deal of information on luxury hotels in New York. Along with the information on New York City hotels, these websites also provide details on various other aspects of the city, including information on the following:
1.New York restaurants or NYC restaurants which include many prominent names such as The View, Pastis, Four Seasons, Per Se New York, Nobu, Union Square Cafe, Tao, Le Bernadin;
2.New York shows, also referred to as New York broadway shows, which include shows such as Come Fly Away, Wicked, West Side Story, In The Heights, A Little Night Music;
3.New York tours such as Liberty Helicopter Tours, Circle Line Tours, Grand Central Tours;
4.New York attractions that include the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, Times Square;
5.Famous New York clubs such as Stanton Public, Pacha New York, Cielo, Club Quo;
6.Prominent New York stores which include Fendi, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Barneys, Armani New York; and
7.New York city spas such as Tribeca Spa, La Peau Spa, Spa Ja, Great Jones Spa.
Leading websites offer comprehensive and well-researched information on almost every facet of life in New York.
When Only The Best Will Do
Accommodation in any of the luxury New York hotels can easily be sought online. A great many websites offer information on all types of hotels available throughout the city. Among the prominent hotels in New York are The Mandarin, Four Seasons Hotel, The Ritz, Carlyle Hotel, Waldorf Astoria, The London NYC, and many others.
Surveying the options available on the Internet is a good way to decide upon the most appropriate New York hotels for your individual requirements. With many websites offering information on almost everything related to New York, planning for a trip to New York – either for business or for pleasure – is a pleasurable experience devoid of unnecessary hassles.
Here come the hotels and restaurants in Chicago! It has been noticed and observed with great care and attention that the hotels are ravishing and remarkable. The city of Chicago possess and have some kind of magical and appealing attribute that quickly and instantly capture and captivate the attention of each and every individual. All the food lovers should better lick these hotels and restaurants from top to bottom. This is the one and only golden opportunity for them to have the taste of real hotels and restaurants. Read on further and you will be able to get to know through this piece of writing the various and immense number of hotels and restaurants in Chicago. In this way, all of your queries and questions will be solved sooner or later. The Inn at the market, Fairmont hotel and Grand Hyatt Chicago are one of the top most hotels and restaurants in Chicago. Their environment and ambiance truly deserves a huge round of applause. They are quite and rather affordable. It has always been the common practice of city of Chicago to provide exceptionally great services to the tourists and visitors. This is only tip of the ice berg. Real pleasure and excitement can only be taken if you yourself are going to make use of these hotels and restaurants as soon as possible. Get up and go and make a visit to these magical places and make your moments to be remembered forever.
Hotel Monaco, Hilton Chicago Hotel and Hotel Vintage Park are also performing their job in a quite and rather satisfied way. The best Western Pioneer Hotel can also be the best choice that should be made right away. The luxurious hotels, family hotels and low budgeted hotels are large in number in the city of Chicago. The Sheraton Chicago Hotel has been located in such a ravishing and appealing location that will automatically make you stick to this particular hotel. The decor and the discount prices are quite and rather satisfying. You will surely not find any kind of trouble or difficulty while making out the choice form the above mentioned hotels and restaurants. The comfortable and soothing environment has totally and completely come up to the expectation of each and every individual. The city of Chicago has been trying its level best to bring more advancements and improvements in this sector as it plays a very important and vital role in the economy.
Hence, from the above mentioned discussion it is quite and rather evident that the hotels and restaurants in Chicago are exceptionally great and grand. Efforts and attempts are being done to bring out the best part from these hotels and also to retain and satisfy large number of visitors. Hopefully, in the future time period we will be able to see more hotels in Chicago in a better way and mode. That day will surely come sooner or later. Waiting for that day when we all will be enjoying the hotels of Chicago with more thrill and adventure!
For many people, visiting Disneyland isn’t complete without staying in one of the official Disney operated hotels. After all, how can you be expected to get the full Disney experience unless you are surrounded by all things Disney around the clock?
The problem with this attitude–which the Disney marketing people would love us all to have–is it gives many people the impression that a trip to Disneyland has to be extremely expensive. The truth is there are a variety of different hotels near Disneyland and many of them are quite affordable. Just note that they won’t all be the full-service, high-luxury resorts like the Disneyland Hotel. It is worth the money if you can afford to stay at an official Disneyland hotel, but if you’re on a tight budget don’t write off the surrounding accommodations as too expensive.
Perks to Staying with Mickey & Friends
There are definitely some luxuries that can be obtained only be staying in-house with Mickey and the gang. You will have access to prestigious concierge services that can help you select gifts for those you love, book reservations at the best restaurants, and find the parades, shows and other fun activities to enjoy in the evening and night hours.
You may also get special deals on the theme parks, such as early admittance to certain top attractions like Indiana Jones, Space Mountain, and Dumbo.
Traveling to and from official Disney hotels can be more convenient than traveling to other hotels near Disneyland as well, as all the shuttles go there.
Disney Discounts
It isn’t easy to find really cheap deals on a Disneyland vacation, but there are always benefits to purchasing vacation packages. These packages will bundle a variety of services from accommodations to transportation to and from the airport and discounted park tickets.
Disney Luxury
If you can afford to pay a bit more for your accommodation, you will probably have a better overall Disneyland experience if you stay in an official Mouse resort. The small details and luxurious resort atmosphere adds to the excitement and relaxation of your vacation and makes every moment more enjoyable. This is even more important if you are traveling with youngsters.
Hotels Near Disneyland that Aren’t Disney
There are many reasons to stay in non-Disney hotels. If there are no openings in the official resorts at the time of your trip, then there is obviously not much choice. You may also choose to go with an independent hotel nearby if you are on a tight budget and every dollar saved counts big time.
You can stay at some certain hotels near the park and get very close to the official Disneyland resort feel when you stay in hotels labeled “Good Neighbor Hotels.” These are special hotels that have passed Disney’s inspection and which are highly recommended. They are your best bets for luxury and comfort when you can’t stay with the Mouse and gang officially. Many are top class resorts that are just a short jaunt down Harbor Boulevard to the official theme park!
If staying in a non-Disney hotel or resort will improve your financial ability to engage in other activities, then by all means go for it! You can still have a great time, relax, and get a feel for the resort vibe as long as you choose your hotel wisely. Do the research, read reviews from others who have stayed at a particular resort, and then make your final decision.