DC08- 145 May 2, 2008
Brend hotel guests can now surf the waves and Wi-Fi
Visitors to Devon and Cornwall are now able to surf on and off the waves, as high speed wireless internet access (Wi-Fi) goes live today in 11 Brend Hotels across Braunton, Bideford, Barnstaple, Sidmouth, Exeter, St Austell and Falmouth.
Thousands of guests and conference goers, using more than 600 bedrooms and public areas across the Brend estate, are now able to work, surf, talk or game using BT Openzone. Brend Hotels’ properties include the Saunton Sands Hotel, at one of Devon’s best surf beaches, and the Carlyon Bay, with its private 18 hole Championship golf course. The group also hosts conferences for the NHS, EDF Energy and the National Trust.
Tony Clarke, IT manager, Brend Hotels, said: “Our BT Openzone installation is in direct response to guests wanting to check email, chat to friends, research tourist information and even play internet games while staying with us. A quality Wi-Fi service is definitely high on their wish-lists.”
Chris Bruce, general manager, BT Openzone, said: “Guests and delegates now expect this service when they visit a hotel. Brend Hotels have ticked the customer service box by installing Wi-Fi.”
Customers looking to use BT Openzone will be able to log in from any wireless-enabled device including laptops, BT Office Anywhere handhelds and the Sony PSP, which now includes a downloadable Go!Messenger application enabling video chat, voice chat and instant messaging. Users can choose from a wide range of vouchers and subscriptions, whether an overnight guest or a lunchtime diner.
Other hotel groups with BT Openzone access include Thistle and Guoman, Hilton, Ramada Jarvis, Forestdale and Menzies Hotels. The estate of more than 2,500 premium hotspots includes airports, railway stations, coffee shops and marinas, 12 city centres directly managed by BT in the UK and Ireland, plus more than 35,000 worldwide sites through international roaming partners.
Customers are also able to use hotspots provided by the BT FON Wi-Fi community, now with more than 70,000 members, and at any of the new BT Business Total Broadband hotspots coming later this quarter.
These hotspots offer BT Openzone, BT FON and BT Office Anywhere users, with a comfortable location to log in without wires. For more BT Openzone information, visit www.btopenzone.com
