Hospitality Design - December 2009 - 72

tech support in the guestroom properties from the Trump Tower in Chicago to the Sheraton in Niagara Falls, can be built-in to new construction. Cornermounted units and media consoles house TVs and electronics. “The variety of options makes it easy for designers to find a fireplace that suits virtually any f loorplan and décor,” says Shannon Monti, director of business development. Unlike gas fireplaces, which can easily overheat small rooms, electric fire- Clockwise from top left: Dimplex’s Linear Fireplace; the tech-savvy iHome HiP9 from Hotel Technologies; and MicroFridge’s all-in-one unit with a microwave, refrigerator, and freezer. and all docking iPod models while guests can still receive phone calls and listen to music via speakers. places are a more practical option, according to Monti. They require little maintenance beyond changing light bulbs every few years, and, a boon to hoteliers, provide a striking flame effect without having to rack up heat costs. One of Dimplex’s signature features is the Purif ire air treatment system, providing continuous air filtration of airborne allergens and launching next spring is a sleek linear unit, encompassing a golden ember bed more than 48 inches long. “The appeal of a fireplace is timeless and helps ensure guest satisfaction. The bottom line is that guests will return more often to a fireplace room,” Monti says. The Complete Package Refrigerators, another hotel fixture that often slips under the radar, have also become edgier. MicroFridge, which has its units in the rooms of hotel giants like Accor, Best Western, and InterContinental, has rolled out a new, compact microwave, refrigerator, and freezer unit with Safe Plug Technology, flaunting a Dual Outlet Charge Station. “Hotels continually upgrade to meet consumer demand,” says Jim Russo, vice president product sales, Intirion Corporation, the makers of MicroFridge. With guests often struggling to find available outlets, peering behind beds and pulling out lamps, one such demand is accessible chargers. MicroFridge’s easy-tofind outlets located on the front of the microwave heed the call. The technology is also energy efficient; the refrigerator and charging station shut off when the microwave is on. Additionally, the refrigerator plug can be plugged into the microwave, leaving the microwave to do all the work while helping slash the property’s electric bill. “We’re building on our design of creating power management,” says Russo. hd www.hampshirehotels.com; www.alcatel-lucent.com; www.buddha-bar-hotel.cz; www.dimplex.com; www.hoteltechnologies.com; www.microfridge.com Listen Up The typically low-profile alarm clock even gets a stylish boost with Hotel Technologies’ new iHome HiP9, appearing in the rooms of hotel chains like Marriott and Hyatt. It resets daily and stirs sleepers with the gradually increasing volume of its “Gentle Wake Alarm.” The unit features Reson8 speaker technology for enhanced clarity, and a volume-limiting switch ensuring that no guest is disturbed by the sounds of blaring music. Capitalizing upon the popularity of the iPhone, it’s the first clock radio that docks and charges both the iPhone hospitalitydesign www.hdmag.com

http://www.hampshirehotels.com http://www.alcatel-lucent.com http://www.buddha-bar-hotel.cz http://www.dimplex.com http://www.hoteltechnologies.com http://www.microfridge.com http://www.hdmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hospitality Design - December 2009