Hotel & Motel Management - January 7, 2008 - (Page 50) 50 Hotel Operations TELEVISIONS H&MM January 7, 2008 | HotelMotel.com www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition BY EMILY HANNA, ASSOCIATE EDITOR Offer a room with a high-definition view In the midst of the color-TV craze of the 1950s, hotels created a special experience for guests to check-in to a hotel and check out the new technology. Now, the pressure to stay ahead of the curve and deliver that one-of-a-kind guest experience is back on. This becomes increasingly difficult as more guests have advanced technology in their homes, especially highdefinition programming viewed on liquid crystal display or plasma televisions. Estimates suggest that 40 percent of U.S. households have at least one high-definition TV set, according to John Kaloukian, director of the professional display group at Sony Electronics. “So when these HD-savvy consumers travel—for business or pleasure—they now expect the same or better quality, connectivity and entertainment options in their hotel rooms that they enjoy at home,” he said. But it’s not just customer satisfaction that drives hotels’ desire for flat-screen TVs. The slim design gives guestroom designers flexibility, instead of forcing an entire suite’s layout around a TV, said Karl DeManss, director of sales for Panasonic Professional Display. SONY ELECTRONICS PHILIPS Chances are most people have heard about the impending digital-TV transition to occur Feb. 19, 2009. But its effects might not be as widespread as imagined. After this date, when the Federal Communications Commission will shut down the analog spectrum and reconfigure it to digital, only television viewers relying strictly on an antenna will need to upgrade their service or equipment. Those with cable or satellite programming will still function normally. Most hotels operate through cable and satellite systems, so they won’t be affected at all, said Jeff Krueger, director of national accounts for HotelSolutions-USA. For those hotels or households still using antennas, John Taylor, v.p. of public affairs and communications for LG Electronics, said three options exist: Sign up for cable or satellite systems, buy new televisions (all sets produced after February 2007 are required to have a digital tuner) or buy a digital-toanalog converter box. A converter box can be purchased for about $60 per room, Taylor said, but many hotels are opting to buy new televisions— even if rooms already are equipped with digital-ready TVs—in order to prepare for high-definition viewing. “Many new hotels are being outfitted with flat-panel TVs, all of which are equipped with digital tuners,” said Bruce Tripido, associate v.p., marketing—entertainment products division for Sharp Electronics. For some, their reasoning is a matter of keeping up with the Joneses; if a competitor offers high-def, you should too. But for others, company guidelines have mandated upgrades to flat-screen TVs by a set date, otherwise individual properties lose their flag. Digital TVs can be a business booster for hotels, allowing guests to access their iPod and camera content through the TV. LG ELECTRONICS Analog TVs in a digital world check IN The Eastland Park Hotel, Portland, Maine, offers an “Express Yourself” package that lets guests customize their experience. Special amenity options range from bottles of wine and champagne, fruit and dessert plates, floral arrangements delivered to the room, locally brewed beer, snacks, games and more. The Sonesta College Club is a new program for parents visiting college campuses throughout the year. It offers discounts on parking and 20 percent off overnight accommodations. Plus, members receive maps and information about area colleges, lists of area resources for students, and preferred reservation options for graduation dates at Sonesta’s hotels in Miami, New Orleans and Boston. The Mayflower Park Hotel offers the Gates of Paradise Package: two Seattle Art Museum admission tickets and a classic guestroom. The offer extends from Jan. 26 to April 6. The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro, Ga., offers pampered pregnancies for parents-to-be with the Lake Moons, Baby Swoons program, which lasts until March 15. Couples will enjoy lakeside accommodations, a private dinner for two, sunrise canoeing, swelleasing pedicures and maternity massages and breakfast in bed. The Village at Squaw Valley USA, in Olympic Valley, Calif., offers The Stay 3 and Get the 4th Night Free package, where guests can stay three nights for work and take a day for fun on the house. The package is valid until May 31. Compiled by Stacey Higgins, shiggins@questex.com Buyer, beware When purchasing new TVs for hotels, cheapest is not best. Anthony Fonzo, marketing manager for Philips Professional and Business Solutions, said that instead of cutting corners, take the safe route: Ask questions. Does your hotel plan to offer highdefinition programming? Where will your content come from? What size TV will be optimal for the guestroom? Will there be additional charges or equipment necessary for HD programming? Check the warranty. If it’s not a commercial-grade TV, you might void the warranty by putting it in a hotel room. Make sure it is compatible with your programming. Not all televisions work with all service providers. For more info Company Circle No. HotelSolutions-USA . . . . . . . 370 LG Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . 371 Panasonic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372 Philips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373 Samsung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374 Sharp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375 Sony Electronics . . . . . . . . . . 376 Quotable “ At the end of the day, transitioning to digital TV for hotels will be driven by the same factor that drives every other decision an operator makes every day: customer service.” JOHN KALOUKIAN, director of the professional display group, Sony Electronics http://www.HotelMotel.com http://www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition
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