 DALLAS
� MAY 11, 2006 � The Kauai Beach Hotel and Resort, located on the Hawaiian
island of Kauai, has selected the new, design-centric Signature by VingCard
electronic-locking solution as part of its ongoing $13 million renovation.
The design-centric locks, which feature minimal hardware on the guestroom
door in order to blend in with the hotel�s environment, will adorn new
Balinese-style louver doors chosen to enhance guestroom corridors.
Signature is expected to be installed next month on all 350 guestroom and
suite doors across four buildings, with the guestroom upgrade project expected
to be completed by mid-July.
�We�ve had a very successful relationship with VingCard over the years, currently using the VingCard Classic electronic lock,� said Rob Gunthner, Kauai Beach Hotel and Resort general manager. �When we were presented the new Signature-style lock, we immediately chose it for our new doors going forward. We are installing 200-pound louvers and we wanted something very different in style that would not take away from the beautiful entrance to our guestrooms.� Gunthner said the renovation project (which features new travertine marble in guest room bathrooms, new guestroom corridors, building exteriors, meeting space, pool area and landscaping) has exceeded all expectations, and the attention to detail was most important throughout the project. Honolulu-based architect, design, planning and consulting group Wimberley Alison Tong and Goo created a plantation-style experience at the property, which is indigenous to the island of Kauai, he said. �In keeping with our new look--a very residential
feel to our guestroom product--we wanted smaller and less obvious hardware
on our doors,� Gunthner said. �The Signature lock blends right in with
the corridor, because all that is visible on the door is a winged-handle
lever and a separate, small, attractive card reader. VingCard has always
been the right security partner for us, and Signature is the right product
to compliment to our new design.�
Ken Brown, VingCard Elsafe Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, said Signature was designed with projects such as the Kauai Beach Hotel & Resort renovation in mind. Based on industry research among architects, designers, security experts and hoteliers, it was determined that a more aesthetically pleasing electronic-lock needed to be designed because the door is the first impression a guest has of the room. Therefore, Brown said, VingCard Elsafe determined that a new electronic lock needed to be designed that featured minimal hardware on the outside of the door to respect corridor design. �At VingCard Elsafe we really listen to our customers� needs and conduct extensive research on what the market demands in order to continually develop new products and services to provide the ultimate in hospitality security solutions,� Brown said. �What we found was that boutique, luxury and high-end hotels and resorts want every element of the hotel � from interior design to technology/hardware design � to be visually appealing to each and every user. This is especially important to designers such as Wimberly Allison Tong and Goo when conceptualizing the design for the Kauai Beach property. �The Kauai Beach Hotel and Resort�s decision to approve the Signature series lock, substantiates our research. More specifically, it gives architects and designers the style elements they require coupled with proven VingCard security technology they have come to expect,� he said. �Watching a project like this come to fruition is rewarding, and we are eager to see this beautiful new lock blend into their new, stylish design. Once installed, Signature will give the Kauai Beach Hotel and Resort the capacity to stand out from its competition by offering something unique � a true differentiator � like a �signature� should.� About VingCard Elsafe
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The
world leader in hotel security technology, ASSA ABLOY Hospitality has products
installed in more than 33,000 properties worldwide, securing in excess
of 5.5 million hotel rooms. The ASSA ABLOY Group, a publicly listed company,
is a world leader in security and hospitality systems. VingCard provides
numerous electronic-locking system solutions, including traditional magnetic-stripe
and smartcard systems, fully integrated PMS interface software solutions
and worldwide service and support. Elsafe provides the only UL-listed (1037)
hotel safe series on the market today in keypad and card-based models.
Safes that include an internal power outlet to support recharging of laptops
and camcorders also are available with a UL listing. Elsafe customers also
enjoy the same worldwide service and support. The ASSA ABLOY Hospitality
Group is dedicated to the hospitality industry. For more information on
VingCard Elsafe, visit www.vingcard.com or www.elsafe.com.