Hotel Online  Special Report

 
Chicago�s Historic InterContinental Hotel Goes Fully
Wireless in Record Time; StayOnline Meets Hotel�s
Challenge for Installation and Coverage
.
Atlanta, GA, May 10, 2004 --  By deploying a team of engineers and installers in Chicago, wireless HSIA leader StayOnline reached a new milestone in hotel  installations.  During April, the company was able to render the historic, InterContinental Chicago fully wireless in 15 days. 

The hotel, one of the city�s grandest and largest at 807 rooms, required as little disruption as possible to its building, guests and staff during the installation, and had requested that its vendor be able to complete the installation quickly.  In addition, the historic structure, originally built as Chicago�s premier athletic club in the late 1920�s, posed challenges for complete HSIA coverage because of its high ceilings: ornate, wide columns and other architectural nuances. 

�While others said it couldn�t be done, StayOnline was able to meet our challenge efficiently and expediently,� said Jim Bailey, Director of Hotel Technology & Services for InterContinental Hotels Group.  �I attribute that in large part to two things: their long-term experience in Wi-Fi installations in the hotel industry and their engineers whose depth of knowledge in RF coverage made the difference in ensuring that every inch of our property was covered.�

�In order to get this installation done in such a short time, we had to do more upfront planning and site visits,� said Steve Berrey, COO of StayOnline.  �Our experience in covering other historic properties � like the La Fonda in Sante Fe, New Mexico � was certainly helpful to us in this endeavor.�  

The InterContinental Hotel Chicago prides itself on attention to detail.  Since purchasing the property in 1988, which was shuttered for a long period after the stock market crash of 1934, the InterContinental Hotels Group painstakingly restored the property using yearbooks from the original athletic club.

�Clearly, this is a property that never does anything halfway. It is not only one of our largest, but among our most distinguished,� said Jack Schoppmeyer, Management Consultant for Supply Chain Management LLC who handles Procurement for IHG managed hotels in the Americas.
 
�StayOnline provided superior technology and engineering skills which enabled 100% wireless coverage. That means that guests can literally go anywhere on property � even to the deck of the amazing pool, and find that their connection holds fast.  The fact that they were able to do this for us cost-effectively and with as little disruption to our guests and our back-of-house operations was pure icing on the cake. �

�Given the architectural and historical layout of the hotel the wireless solution offered by StayOnline provided the InterContinental Hotel Chicago with the best option to provide high speed internet access to all 807 rooms� says Hotel Manager Robert Hill �Business travelers require high speed internet access today in order to stay in touch and we are now delighted to be able to offer it in all our suites, guestrooms and public areas.�

About InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, the prestigious global hotel chain, has been the preferred choice of the world's business and leisure traveler since 1946.  From the many historic landmark hotels that are as much a part of a city's present as its glorious past - to the striking contemporary hotels, that reflect the vibrant cultures they represent - to superb resorts that are both a tribute and an attribute to the natural beauty surrounding them - InterContinental offers exceptional comfort, convenience and service in 122 cities and over 135 locations throughout the world (www.intercontinental.com).  
 

About StayOnline
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, StayOnline provides secure wireless high-speed Internet access solutions for the hospitality industry.  With over 280 installed locations, StayOnline operates the largest, 100% WLAN in hotels in North America.  StayOnline meets the highest quality standards and is Intel® Centrino� verified .  StayOnline boasts an impressive customer base, including properties in over 30 national lodging brands, as well as several unique boutique and historic properties.  For additional information on StayOnline, visit www.stayonline.net.


 
Contact:

StayOnline
Karin P. Koser
404.636.9311
[email protected]

Sharon Kraun
770.804.8865



 
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