Las Vegas, NV — Scheduled to open in late 2009, Las Vegas’ new CityCenter complex will debut some of the most advanced guestroom technology in the country at the ARIA Resort & Casino, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, and The Harmon Hotel, Spa & Residences properties. CityCenter collaborated with Control4 to develop personalized automation for every guestroom in the project.
Control4’s next-generation automation, coupled with CityCenter’s ability to network every guestroom device via one gigabit of bandwidth, will deliver an experience not typically experienced in a hotel environment.
“CityCenter is an extraordinary destination designed to exceed expectations in all facets of the development, from architecture and sustainability to public art and amenities,” said Bobby Baldwin, president and CEO of CityCenter. “ARIA, Mandarin Oriental, and The Harmon will be the first to incorporate the most sophisticated technological advances in the country to ensure the guest experience also surpasses expectations. Guests will enjoy seamless customization and service as well as unmatched offerings including the fastest hotel wireless Internet connection available in the U.S. today.”
A joint venture between MGM Mirage and Dubai World, the more than $9-billion development CityCenter “urban metropolis” is being built on 67 acres between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.
Thanks to primarily to Control4 technology, hotel guests at CityCenter will find that their stay has been intricately choreographed to meet their personal preferences. For instance, as guests approach their room or suite, it will recognize if it is their first time in the room and “greet” them as they enter. Light will fill the room, the curtains automatically will part to showcase the city or mountain views, and the TV will turn on to display a list of automated controls for guests to personalize.
Guests will enjoy seamless, integrated one-touch control of guestroom features, including lighting, room temperature, television/video systems, music, wake-up calls, draperies, and requests for services through a single remote control. Each nightstand also will feature a seven-inch panel with touchscreen technology that navigates the same room settings as the remote. All settings will be remembered and incorporated every time a guest is in-room.
Having all guestroom devices on one network enables guests to select scenes matching their mood or preference, which modify all settings at once. For example, each room will feature a “good night” button next to the bed. With one touch, guests can turn off the lights, TV and/or music; shut the curtains; and turn on the privacy notification for the room. Similarly, guests can utilize the TV’s sleep mode to accomplish the same result on a timer.
All guestrooms will incorporate keyless locks utilizing RFIDtechnology, which enables guests to unlock the door by flashing their key over the lock sensor. The electronic key cannot be demagnetized, thus reducing key failure.
For the ultimate connectivity to all devices, each room will include a 42-inch LCD HDTV that allows guests to connect their laptop and enjoy a big-screen monitor; watch a multitude of domestic and international channels in HD quality; plug in video devices such as game consoles or cameras; control room automation; and enjoy their MP3 players.
The television also will serve as a convenient communications center; when
on, the TV will automatically display messages pertaining to new voicemails or
package receipts and more.
The classic clock radio will be replaced with TV settings that can wake guests up gradually through controlled temperature, lighting, curtain opening and preferred music, delivering a subtle and more soothing wake-up experience.
Each room also will feature dimmable lighting, allowing guests to set their preferred light levels.
All guestrooms will be networked with fiber offering one gigabit of
bandwidth, enabling wireless Internet connectivity that is up to eight times faster (128
kilobytes) than the average U.S. guestroom today. With the increased bandwidth, guests wishing to legally download copyrighted content like music and movies or free Internet content such as YouTube videos can do so quickly and easily.
All in-room devices also will be on the network, enabling the property to easily “communicate” with the room to perform special requests or maintenance. Whether a remote needs new batteries or a MiniBar needs replenishing, most needs can be identified and resolved before the guest is even aware.
CityCenter will have the largest Distributed Antenna System in the world, covering more than 14 million square feet. More than 6,500 antennas coupled with more than 2,900 wireless access points will enable WiFi not only in every room but also anywhere on the CityCenter campus.
CityCenter’s in-room technology will offer a non-obtrusive and easy way to
conserve precious resources such as energy and water, as well. Green settings on the room’s remote system will allow guests the opportunity to voluntarily “green their stay” by indicating their preferred light level, room temperature, and frequency of linen and towel changes. Systems also can be programmed to automatically put a room into
unoccupied status upon checkout, turning down or off the heating/cooling system,
televisions, lights, and any appliances.
