From Dual-Band Wi-Fi wall switches to three-stream outdoor mesh access points, world-renowned resort uses smart Wi-Fi to improve guest experience and operational efficiencies.
SUNNYVALE, CALIF – Ruckus Wireless, Inc. announced that Sandals Resorts International (SRI), operator of Luxury Included Sandals Resorts for couples and Beaches Resorts for families, is making an extensive upgrade to its existing Smart Wi-Fi network across its 23 luxury resort properties.
SRI is deploying more than 1,200 of the latest Ruckus Smart wireless LAN (WLAN) access points (APs), including the new Ruckus ZoneFlex 7055 dual-band Wi-Fi wall switch, Ruckus ZoneFlex 7982 indoor and Ruckus ZoneFlex 7782 outdoor 802.11n 3×3:3 stream APs.
The new SRI Smart Wi-Fi infrastructure is being deployed to deliver high-capacity, high-speed Wi-Fi service across thousands of acres of their resort properties in six Caribbean island nations, including Antigua, the Bahamas, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. SRI’s newly upgraded Smart Wi-Fi network will now support more than 6,000 guest rooms, and thousands of concurrent users.
The move to the most advanced Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi technology by this world-famous luxury hotel brand is essential to deliver ultra reliable, high-speed access to guests, many of whom need wireless connectivity for multiple smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices, according to Bobby Stewart, Sandals Resorts International’s director of Guest Networks.
In conjunction with the deployment of and powered by their new Ruckus Wi-Fi network, Sandals Resorts is in the process of rolling out a mobile app with free international calling capabilities to the U.S., Canada and to UK landlines, as well as local calls to Jamaican landlines, for guests staying at one of the seven Sandals Resorts in Jamaica, on their iPhone and Android mobile phones. SRI’s corporate staff will also rely on Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi for use with their Wi-Fi based VoIP (VoWiFi) handsets, as well as Wi-Fi equipped digital cameras, which are being used to capture on-property photos that are automatically uploaded to the SRI photo sales server, without requiring the photography team to return to the office.
“We’ve always been keenly impressed by the power and reliability of Ruckus Wi-Fi technology, as well as its extreme ease of use,” said Stewart. “Our Wi-Fi network is run centrally by only two persons, with a little help from the local IT manager at each site, and we manage the entire network across all of our properties very easily. It continually manages and optimizes itself – and it performs beautifully.”
Not only is SRI satisfied with Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi technology, for the second year in a row, Ruckus was recently named by HotelChatter as a company offering the “Best Hotel Wi-Fi” to some of the other top hotel chains in the world.
Sandals Resorts International ‘Spices Up’ Luxury Included Portfolio With New Grenada Resort
SRI will open the doors to its newest and most contemporary Luxury Included resort, Sandals LaSource Grenada Resort & Spa, in December 2013. Situated on 17 acres of stunning land along the pristine Pink Gin Beach, Sandals LaSource Grenada will offer guests the highest level of luxury with an unprecedented look and feel. With Sandals’ most elaborate accommodations to date, nine global gourmet dining options with the brand’s very first steakhouse, and an expansive Wellness Centre, guests of Sandals LaSource will have a hard time deciding which they love discovering more, the new exotic destination of Grenada or Sandals’ latest lap of luxury.
Boasting coral inhabited azure waters met by white-sand beaches, locals that treat visitors like house guests, and a history that that dates back to 1705, the island of Grenada is a marvellous addition to Sandals’ collection of stunning scenery and memorable experiences. “We are thrilled to introduce our guests to another breath-taking Caribbean island, offering even more alluring destinations for a Luxury Included holiday,” says Mr. Stewart. “Following our enhancements of the former LaSource Resort, Sandals LaSource Grenada will exceed guests’ expectations while allowing them to enjoy the natural beauty of the Spice Island.”
Conveniently located only minutes from Maurice Bishop International airport, Sandals LaSource Grenada will boast a total of 231 rooms housed within three distinct villages: Pink Gin, Italian and Tahiti.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
