The Crestron Difference

Of course, the true measure of guest satisfaction is occupancy and return rates. To help drive that customer loyalty — notably in the pricier rooms — Zak Gulling has implemented one-touch controls: “In our high-end VIP suites, we can automate drapery and lighting using Crestron touch panels and provide content via DM NVX AV-over-IP. Our keypads have a button labeled ‘good morning’ that slowly brings up lights, opens shades, brings up music, and more. The guest doesn’t need to be a tech wizard — we were able to make it very simple and understandable for a guest to use.”

Wendy Mertz, CIO of Virgin Hotels, summed things up in the ILHA report. “The ROI can be seen in both direct and indirect ways, such as labor savings and enhanced guest experience,” she says.

She did offer a caveat. “However, it is important to consider the costs involved in implementing and maintaining these technologies.” That’s why it’s important for a tech specifier to work with a company that has a segment dedicated to hospitality solutions, as Crestron does. (It’s worth mentioning that the Crestron Home® OS — a smart home platform often used to drive the in-room experience — is constantly being updated free of charge to the client.)

What’s more, Crestron understands that the most important role for technology in the hospitality industry is not to replace the human touch, but to enhance it. That’s how you create the “oh wow” factor for guests immediately, exceed their expectations during the stay, and ensure they’ll come back.