Rosewood Mayakoba Luxury Resort Goes Wireless for Guest Internet Access and Enterprise Applications with BelAir Networks

Business Wire,  June 17, 2008  

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Converged Communications on Carrier-Class Wireless Mesh Network Represents Best Practices in Resort Communications

AUSTIN, Texas -- BelAir Networks, the leading broadband mesh network provider, today announced the deployment of a new wireless network at the Rosewood Mayakoba, on the exclusive Riviera Maya near Cancun, Mexico. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, working with CLC Networks, a BelAir Networks reseller, deployed a next generation converged communications platform that leverages BelAir Networks carrier-class wireless technology to support a wide variety of applications including high speed guest internet access, Point-of-Sale (POS) devices, VoWi-Fi phones and a text messaging rapid response system for guest service and safety across the resort.

"We're seeing a trend toward the requirement for multiple broadband internet connections for each guest room to support the different wireless devices that families travel with today. Our guests want to be both fully connected and fully mobile," stated Fred Crespo, Corporate Director, Information Systems, Rosewood Hotel & Resorts. "We also need to use our wireless network to support a full range of mobile applications that enhance the guest experience. After looking at competing solutions, we determined that the proven, carrier-class wireless technology from BelAir Networks, deployed in major cities and venues around the world, was an ideal solution. The network is opening up a new channel of innovation for how we deliver services to our guests."

Rosewood Mayakoba needed a proven, high performance, reliable and scalable wireless network that could address the multi-service communications requirements of both guests and staff across 1600 acres, 128 suites, restaurants, lagoons and a mangrove forest. They approached their communications challenge from a multi-tier, multi-technology perspective which required a wireless network powerful enough to handle multiple applications running concurrently using any combination of voice, video and data.

"Rosewood was committed to implementing the latest in converged resort technology for both guest services and staff communications," stated Michael Wagoner, VP, Engineering, CLC Networks. "To provide a solid wireless infrastructure in the middle of one of the harshest environments in which you could deploy, CLC Network's experience with BelAir made the choice clear."

CLC Networks, a solutions provider based in Atlanta, worked closely with the resort and was instrumental in the successful deployment. CLC Networks deployed 13 quad-radio BelAir200 and 10 dual-radio BelAir100 wireless access nodes around the resort.

Guests now enjoy seamless wireless coverage from guest rooms to poolside and throughout the property. The service-focused staff at Rosewood Mayakoba is also now fully mobile and securely connected to the network via VoWi-Fi handsets, which also support a text messaging rapid response system eliminating the need for a traditional centralized dispatch center and enhancing the ability of staff to quickly respond to guests' needs.

Wireless POS devices are enabling guests to place food and beverage orders with staff throughout the resort. These POS devices have also replaced an old paper checklist system that housekeepers used previously to manage minibar inventory. Housekeepers now post minibar charges directly from the room to the guest folio, eliminating the inconvenience of 'after departure' charges.

BelAir Networks is the trusted brand of leading hotels, resorts and entertainment venues. The company's technology has been recognized with several awards including both an InfoWorld 100 Award and a PC Magazine Award for BelAir Networks Mobile Broadband Wireless Mesh Deployment at Dolphin Stadium, the largest Point-of-Sale (POS) network under one roof. BelAir Networks deployment at Thesen Islands, South Africa won a Prestigious 2007 CNBC International Property Development Awards.

The highly reliable and esthetically pleasing BelAir nodes enable hotel operators to get broadband wireless access up and running quickly with no disruption to guests, visitors or staff. These secure, reliable, and high-performance wireless broadband networks can be used to enhance the guest experience, improve productivity, reduce networking costs and increase revenues. Applications supported include high-speed Internet access, wireless point-of-sale (POS) systems for mobile check-in and food & beverage services, enterprise Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) for staff, video security networks for surveillance and monitoring, and location based services for asset and personnel tracking and monitoring in larger resort properties, venues and amusement parks.

"BelAir Networks ability to support both guest access and hospitality enterprise applications with a single high-performance wireless broadband network in a matter of weeks makes it a very attractive solution to hotels and resorts," explained Dave Park, Vice President, Product Marketing, BelAir Networks. "Leading hospitality operators, such as Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, are turning to BelAir Networks to increase guest satisfaction with seamless high-speed wireless coverage throughout their properties."