INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Hotels are adjusting to the new normal, introducing programs and resources for guests. These new, digital tools help guests stay engaged at home and safe on-property:
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort Hosts Virtual Tours
Unfortunately, this year, due to current travel restrictions, many couples are unable to explore potential wedding destinations in person at LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort in Naples, FL. So, LaPlaya has turned to customized virtual tours as a way to introduce a couple to the newly renovated property. LaPlaya has hosted several virtual tours to help drive group bookings.
The tour starts where a visit to the resort would start for the couple and their guests, at the valet and through the lobby. The path then leads viewers through LaPlaya’s restaurant and the Gulf Lawn where the resort hosts ceremonies and cocktail receptions. Just steps away from the lawn is LaPlaya’s private beach on the Gulf of Mexico. From the beach, the tour takes guests across the lawn, through the resort’s tropical garden and pool. Lastly, viewers are guided through Lantern Lane—a lanterned pathway leading to Vanderbilt Bay. The tour ends with the newly renovated Vanderbilt Ballroom.
Como Hotels & Resorts Launches Digital Wellness Companion
Como Shambhala, the holistic wellness brand of Singapore-based Como Group, is launching at-home wellness programs and personal consultations, exclusively through its new digital wellness companion, Como Shambhala By My Side. Como Shambhala By My Side brings together the holistic expertise honed at both Como Shambhala Urban Escape in Singapore and Como Hotels and Resorts wellness locations around the world. Users have the opportunity to access Como’s network of international experts through this newly curated digital platform. Originally conceived for Como Shambhala’s Urban Escape guests in Singapore, Como Shambhala By My Side offers a comprehensive range of thoughtfully created experiences led by a panel of internationally accredited specialists in easy-to-follow video tutorials that can be accessed via a smartphone or a laptop from anywhere in the world.
The library of content will continually expand to provide a variety of classes for all levels so users can:
- Deepen their personal practice to strengthen and restore balance
- Discover the healing power of mindfulness and meditation
- Explore new ways to recharge their health and overall well-being
InterContinental San Francisco Introduces Program for In-Person and Virtual Events
InterContinental San Francisco has debuted IHG approach to meetings and events, a new meetings program designed for the future of meetings and events. IHG approach to meetings and events is a holistic group experience, encompassing rooms, meals, breaks, capacities, floorplans and technical support with physical distancing and virtual connectivity in mind. InterContinental San Francisco has partnered with PSAV to augment in-person meetings with full AV and virtual meeting capabilities, including video conferencing, webcasting, recording and an integrated audience engagement platform, Chime Live. To support the virtual side of events, InterContinental San Francisco offers the following technical features:
- On-site network management offers real-time analytics such as bandwidth usage and
most-used apps. - Meeting floors heat-mapped for consistent and even connectivity are monitored in real time.
- Dedicated APC Symmetra 40kW UPS system ensures reliable, clean power for all wired
or wireless traffic. - 250 Mbps is dedicated specifically to meeting space floors, expandable upon request.
The hotel offers a primary circuit of 750 Mbps with a seamless failover from fiber to
microwave. - Its modern building offers a built-in fiber backbone for connectivity to Moscone Center,
allowing HD video broadcast and SSID retention between buildings. - Custom passwords are available for all dedicated bandwidth requests.
Virtual 3-D tours are available of select spaces online to allow meeting planners to visualize rooms setups and plan events virtually.
