Hotel Online Special Report 
The Westin Stonebriar Resort, North Dallas Selects Wiredinn.com as High-Speed Internet Access and Guest-Centric Internet Portal Provider FRISCO, Texas – May 4, 2000 – The Westin Stonebriar Resort, North Dallas announced today that it has selected Wiredinn.com as its exclusive Internet services provider. Wiredinn specializes in providing broadband Internet access and e-service solutions to the hospitality industry worldwide. Through the Wiredinn solution, The Westin Stonebriar Resort will provide guests with high-speed Internet access and an on-line guest-centric news, information and services portal for the property’s more than 300 guestrooms, 11 meeting rooms, three ballrooms, public areas and even the poolside.
Currently in the final stages of construction, Westin’s newest resort is scheduled to open its doors in August 2000. Wiredinn will provide guests of The Westin Stonebriar Resort with seamless broadband Internet connectivity using the hotel’s existing Category 5 wiring.
Guests can use their laptop computer to simply and securely access the Internet by launching their browser or e-mail client. Neither specialized software nor computer reconfigurations are required to use the Wiredinn solution. After logging into the Wiredinn Portal, guests of The Westin Stonebriar will have on-line access to hotel-specific information; concierge assistance; local, regional, global and industry news; weather; sports; business and travel services; area attractions; events and e-shopping.
“Obtaining a high-speed Internet connection is no longer considered an amenity among our guests; it’s a necessity,” said Ron Olstad, general manager for The Westin Stonebriar Resort. “That’s why we’re installing state-of-the-art technology, such as Category 5 wiring, fiber optic cabling, and the Wiredinn solution. Having these three elements in place assures our guests the most easy-to-use broadband Internet connection available today.”
“Until now, there has never been an easy or immediate way for hotel guests to maintain a productive office environment while traveling around the globe,” said Chris Johnson, chief operating officer for Wiredinn. “With Wiredinn, guests can instantly and seamlessly connect to the World Wide Web, send and receive e-mail and access their corporate network – all from the convenience and privacy of their hotel room.”
Beyond Internet Access
According to a recent study by the Travel Industry Association of America, travelers’ usage of the Internet has grown by 190 percent from 1996 to 1999. Of the 42.5 million business travelers last year, nearly 22 percent used the Internet or e-mail while on a business or convention trip in the past year.
By providing instant access to information that travelers depend on, Wiredinn’s Portal solution takes Internet access for the global hospitality industry beyond high-speed connection.
“Wiredinn’s Portal is not composed of links that will simply take guests to other Web sites,” says Dan Hanrahan, vice president of global e-business for Wiredinn. “Rather, the Wiredinn Portal is a combination of hotel-specific and specialized information from select content partners, providing a unique and comprehensive online guest experience.”
“The Wiredinn Portal enables us to provide guests with the information they want and need – quickly and easily, without having to conduct a search on the Internet,” said Olstad. “For instance, by extending our concierge services through the Wiredinn Portal, we can meet urgent requests from our guests, and exceed their expectations. It’s all about providing the premier guest experience.”
As a full-service hospitality partner to hotels around the world, Wiredinn also sources best-of-class technology on behalf of their client hotels. Guests and hotel staff are provided around-the-clock access to multi-lingual technical support experts. And, customized training sessions are delivered to hotel staffs that comprehensively address individual roles and responsibilities.
The Westin Stonebriar Resort — A Model for Hotels of the Future
High-speed Internet access isn’t the only cutting-edge guest amenity available at The Westin Stonebriar Resort. Using dataports on two-line speakerphones, guests can have dial-up Internet access to their hotel or meeting room. Also, meeting rooms will be equipped with sound and light controls, flexible audiovisual systems and videoconferencing and satellite connections.
Located in Frisco, Texas, The Westin Stonebriar Resort is in the heart of one of the fastest growing communities in Dallas. This 300-room luxury destination will feature interiors reminiscent of a graceful Texas hill country ranch estate. Each guestroom includes an in-room safe (large enough for a laptop), two direct-dial telephones, voice mail, modem jacks, high-speed Internet access, large desk, coffee maker, mini refrigerator and Westin’s signature Heavenly Bed.
The cornerstone of The Westin Stonebriar Resort is the Tom Fazio-designed, 18-hole championship golf course spanning 160 acres. The resort also includes 24,000 square feet of meeting space, a 6,800 square-foot spa and fitness facility and Westin Kids Club facilities. Other features include a 200-foot lagoon-style pool, complimented by a whirlpool and spacious outdoor terrace.
About Wiredinn
Wiredinn was founded in 1999 by TIV, the renowned hospitality telecommunications auditing and consulting firm – and partner— to more than 500 of the grandest luxury hotels around the world.
Headquartered in Frisco, Texas, Wiredinn is a provider of broadband Internet access and content-rich Internet Hospitality Portals specifically designed to enhance the online experience for hotel guests around the world.
Contact: Ashley Polito Knee Wiredinn.com 972.668.8002, ext. 14 [email protected] www.wiredinn.com
Melissa Henniger Westin Hotels & Resorts 914.640.5268 [email protected]
Also See: Checklist for Evaluating Internet Partner / Wayport, Inc. AT&T and LodgeNet to Provide Hotels and Guests with High-Speed ‘Plug and Play’ Internet Access / March 1999