San Jose, Calif. — October 25, 2012 — The Hotel Nikko San Francisco, located at 222 Mason St., is celebrating 25 years of hospitality service this month. While the property's owners, management team and flag have remained constant over the years, enhancements to the 532-room property are ongoing, and furnishings, fixtures and equipment are always changing to meet guests' demands. Recent enhancements include adding the all-in-one Bittel UNO Media system that features a mobile phone charging station, multi-input audio player, clock radio with alarm, and full-feature guestroom phone in one unit.

"When it comes to in-room equipment, less is more, especially for the Nikko Hotel chain," said Joe Curran, Hotel Nikko San Francisco VP of Marketing. "To better complement the brand's minimalistic aesthetic, we opted to replace multiple guest electronics in the room with a streamlined product that declutters the nightstand and adds more purpose to the guestroom phone. Long gone are the days when the phone was a revenue channel for hotels. Instead, it's become an expected amenity for placing service requests. Rather than investing in multiple devices, we see tremendous value in purchasing one unit that provides a multitude of services. That device is the Bittel UNO Media console."

UNO Media from Bittel is a powerful conduit for improving guest satisfaction. In addition to providing a direct channel for inhouse communications, the unit is the ideal amenity to charge and play mobile devices for guests' enjoyment and convenience. Featuring an audio player interface, two USB ports and standard line inputs, guests can easily plug and play their iPhones, iPods, Androids or other MP3 player and listen to their music through premium speakers for a high-end audio experience. UNO Media boasts a streamlined design, small footprint, 10 programmable guest-service keys, large printable faceplate area for branding and dialing instructions, message notification, and an easy-to-use alarm clock radio with FM tuner.

"Cost savings and design aesthetics aside, we are finding that UNO Media also provides some unconventional benefits," Curran said. "Guests are commenting on UNO Media's superb sound quality, and housekeepers are finding that they are spending less time searching for and delivering mobile phone or iPod chargers because the cables are hardwired to the device itself. This is a convenience to guests, and it enables our housekeepers to remain focused on more important tasks. Charging mobile devices from one location vs. using multiple outlets also saves energy, thereby lowering costs."

In addition to the UNO Media for nightstands, the Hotel Nikko also installed UNO Voice units on all desks. The UNO Voice guestroom speakerphone provides the same phone functionality as UNO Media, without the alarm clock/radio component.

UNO Media features include:  Cordless (DECT) and corded models TDM (analog) and VoIP (SIP) models Single- and two-line configurations Speakerphone Up to 10 programmable guest service keys Large faceplate area for branding and dialing or operating instructions Message waiting indicator compatible with all major hospitality PBXs Easy-to-use alarm clock/radio with snooze FM tuner with search Audio input for portable music player High fidelity audio performance Large dimmable multi-function display Two powered USB ports Optional time-set remote control makes time corrections easy Auto Daylight Savings Time adjust

UNO Voice features include:  Single-line and two-line configurations DECT Cordless or Corded models Optional speakerphone Analog or VoIP (SIP) Up to 10 programmable guest service keys Simple faceplate design and printing Enhanced design aesthetic to complement guestroom interior design

"The Hotel Nikko San Francisco's mobile website duplicates the 10 programmable UNO keys on in-room phones, providing consistency and convenience," Curran said. "In this way, guests can order room service or call housekeeping, the bell stand or concierge directly from their iPhone or android exactly as they would from their room phones. Understanding the dependency that travelers have on their mobile devices, our guests can even use their mobile phones as the TV remote control."
 
In November, the Hotel Nikko San Francisco will update all guestroom televisions, replacing existing 42-inch units to newer models. Other recent enhancements include new softgoods and casegoods in rooms, and the addition of a 100 megabyte pipe to deliver higher broadband speeds in rooms to support guests' demands for streaming video, movies and games.
 
"We are extremely proud to partner with Bittel Americas," Curran said. "Like Hotel Nikko, they strive to deliver quality products and five-star service to guests."
 
Nick Steigelman, Bittel VP of Business Development, concurred.
 
"Bittel is continually enhancing its product line to meet the ongoing and every-changing demands of today's travelers," Steigelman said. "Our UNO Media series offers an aesthetically pleasing product just right for every hotel. By combining a audio player interface to support today's mobile electronics with a full-featured guestroom phone and clock radio with alarm, UNO is helping properties like the Hotel Nikko San Francisco to save money while building guest loyalty and satisfaction. Bittel UNO is the one solution that pulls the needs of guests and owners together."