Security from Siemens is at the heart of an integrated solution for Montenegro's most exclusive hotel. The Hotel Splendid Conference & Spa Resort in Becici near Budva required a complete security and communication package from a single source, with Siemens selected for what proved to be a challenging project.
The hotel belongs to the Montenegro Stars hotel group - the first five-star hotel in the country and among the most exclusive in the entire region. It was erected on the site of an old hotel but was designed and built completely from scratch, making it a project with numerous challenges. The schedule was very tight so certain sections of the building could only be designed once construction work had already begun. The scale of the project also escalated with the purpose of some parts of the building changing several times - what was originally planned to be a 45,000 square-meter complex ended up at 65,000 square meters.
Furthermore, the project was delayed due to several terrorism acts during the construction phase, further highlighting the important role that the security measures had to play, with a special request from the owner of the Montenegro Stars hotel group that the security of guests be guaranteed at the highest level in view of the challenging political situation of the region. The Montenegro Stars hotel group, which also includes two other hotels in Becici and Budva, wanted a tried-and-tested, integrated solution for the building technology from a single source, and required a partner with a strong presence in Montenegro and employing local staff.
Siemens was the only supplier that could offer a complete solution, covering everything from the transformer stations to a state-of-the-art communication and security system. An additional feature of the decision-making process was the capacity for Siemens to step in at a very early stage, contracting for cabling in the hotel when there was no guarantee that the company would also take on responsibility for the supply of the additional equipment. Impressive references from all over the world speaking for its experience and expertise in hotel applications, plus its local presence on site in Montenegro, also proved contributory factors in Siemens securing the contract. The project was very extensive, with a tight schedule and the need to integrate all systems as a complete solution. To guarantee a smooth integration of all solution components, all hotel experts from Siemens were asked to meet on site.
Siemens supplied a complete hotel management system encompassing room automation for ultimate climate comfort, an access control system for the security of guests, and also service and reception management. Energy and operating costs can also be controlled automatically, a consideration that is taking on an ever-increasing focus as hotels look to reduce costs and provide an environmentally responsible approach to their operations. The presence of guests is identified by a card reader, therefore making it possible to adjust the energy supply, either by increasing it according to demand or reducing it if the guest is not present. When a guest leaves the room, for example, all lights can be turned off automatically and the heating and air-conditioning switched to energy-saving mode. The integrated safety and security solution itself is another example of the advanced technologies deployed in the hotel. With almost 4,000 fire detectors that can distinguish between false alarms and real potential dangers at an early stage, four fire control panels as well as extinguishing systems for particularly sensitive areas such as IT rooms and control centres, the hotel is completely protected against fire. These devices are controlled by the MM8000 danger management system, as is the video surveillance system which includes ultra high-resolution cameras, and is integrated with a Sipass access control system as well as with a Sintony intruder alarm system from Siemens.
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| The Siemens solution included an access control system and service and reception management |
The complete communication infrastructure at the Hotel Splendid is based on the HiPath 4000 V2.0 communication system, which combines the scope of performance and flexibility of IP with the reliability of conventional telephony. The HiPath Cordless V3.0 DECT base station system ensures every employee can be reached whenever and wherever they may be. The hotel is also equipped with HiPath Wireless Services and a HiPath Hospitality Service Center V2.0 Professional, which acts as a CRM software solution with service tracking, so that every service request from a guest can be monitored from the time it is expressed to the time it is fulfilled, and is integrated with valuable information services for management, administration and marketing activities. The HiPath ProCenter Standard V6.5 call centre application, a Hotstream Interactive Pay TV solution with Video on Demand on LCD monitors, a loudspeaker system and digital audio/video technology for the conference centre complete the communication solution.
The Hotel Splendid Conference & Spa Resort is located in fabulous gardens leading directly onto the beach and is ideally suited for congresses and business meetings of all types due to its modern 700 square-metre conference area that will host up to 780 participants. The luxury hotel has 322 premium double rooms, which have been lovingly decorated down to the tiniest detail, as well as a lavish 3,000 square-metre spa area, plus exquisite restaurants and bars that will spoil even the most demanding guests.
Montenegro in the South-east of Europe on the Adriatic Sea, is one of the fastest-growing travel destinations in the world. 15 percent of the country's GDP is generated by tourism - and for good reason too. Despite being a relatively small country of just 14,000 square kilometres and with a population of 670,000, the Balkan state with its exciting history has plenty to offer, including a Mediterranean coastline with numerous sandy beaches and bays, inland mountains up to 2,500 metres high, gorges, woodlands, lakes and rivers, idyllic medieval towns with a rich cultural heritage, and all of this in a mild Mediterranean climate.
