It was not so long ago that a functioning telephone and colour television were the ne plus ultra of ‘in-room connectivity’. Today, of course, connectivity of several magnitudes greater power may be routinely found in the average handbag, breast-pocket or briefcase. And indeed, with BlackBerries, laptops, iPods and 3G cellphones now standard equipment among even casual travellers, the modern hotel guest arrives at their destination equipped with all the hardware they need to browse the internet, work, stay entertained, and keep in touch with friends, family and office.

This being the case, the last decade has seen a drastic shift in guestroom technology, with the overriding emphasis now on integrating and enhancing the capabilities of the occupant’s own devices. By creating a seamless, intuitive and highly flexible technological environment, today’s state-of-the-art room literally customises itself around the needs and habits of the guest – a considerable luxury in itself.

The hidden heart of effective in-room connectivity often consists of managed converged network hardware such as the Lorica Room Center (LRC). Installed discreetly within or close to the guestrooms it serves, the LRC ‘untangles’ in-room technology by acting as an intelligent, single-point communications hub and monitoring node. As well as facilitating high-speed internet access in both wired and wireless forms, the system’s capabilities extend to connecting and powering IP phones, delivering content to set-top boxes, and managing virtually any in-room IP-based application. LRC also offers options like an analogue phone VoIP adapter and a ‘Zigbee’ radio module, the latter being a particularly useful device that allows communication with the room’s door locks and minibars.

A less all-embracing but impressively economical and flexible option for tailoring connectivity to guest needs is represented by TeleAdapt’s line of ‘DeskHubs’. Compact, lightweight and understated in design, the devices are simply plugged in wherever an internet connection is needed. In its wireless versions, ‘DeskHub’ creates an ‘instant hotspot’ within a hotel’s existing wired network, providing smooth internet access for guests with Wi-Fi compatible laptops.
 

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