Custom Installer May09

feature // Hotel AV
Room service
Technological advances in home automation
are thriving in the hotel sector as consumers
demand the best possible equipment to create
the most memorable settings and moods.
A better selection of entertainment and
information offerings can now be provided by
custom installers, including video on demand,
audio on demand, commercial-free radio, hotel
information services and digital messaging. Craig
London’s Langham Hotel and [below] wine cellar
Evans takes a look at how installers have utilised
Helvar brightens up a Victorian classic
some of the best products on the market, to One of London’s most prestigious hotels, the 140-year-old
create truly mind-blowing hotel settings.
Langham Hotel has undergone a £50 million refurbishment
with Helvar lighting controls illuminating its restaurant and bar
areas.
Project manager Kontrax, working with lighting designer DPA,
Raymond Blanc restaurant gets a touch selected Helvar’s Imagine Rack and Router ranges to control
of Aquavision the environment and complement the strong visual effects of
Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc calls his Oxfordshire restaurant, the interior design in the hotel’s established Landau Restaurant
Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, “A personal vision, a dream that and Artesian Bar.
one day I would create a hotel and restaurant in harmony where Helvar’s Imagine control range is capable of supporting up
my guests would ﬁnd perfection in food, comfort and service.” He to 40 input devices and offers
is a hard man to please, with every inch of the double Michelin- 252 channels of dimming,
starred restaurant oozing high quality to cater for every need that switching or ballast control.
a guest could possibly dream of. However, for the Langham
Installer CGA Integration recently redeveloped the Citronnelle installation, the ﬂexibility and
suite as part of a pilot project in the converted 15th-century, 32- simplicity was enhanced
room manor-house hotel. with the unique Imagine
Building on its previous developments at this Oxfordshire Rack, which allows discreet
landmark, the project highlights the beneﬁts of integrated dimmer module cooling
technology to boost guest comfort, entertainment and through its 45-degree mount
communication accessibility. Key to this project was the angle - making the solution
speciﬁcation of a waterproof, in-wall television to be installed in considerably smaller than
the bathroom. previously available.
Chris Gunton, managing director of CGA Integration, chose Steve Buckley, UK sales
Aquavision for its reliability, installing a 17 inch fully waterproof manager at Helvar explained
television with ﬂexible video services in the suite and all the that, “Being such a historic
hotel’s TV and radio channels, including custom radio graphics. building, it stands to reason
Additional beneﬁts include links for iPod sound and video, plus that the structure of the
a link to replicate the main room television contents. Guests are Langham differs somewhat from modern buildings. You want to
now able to watch a DVD whilst soaking in the bath, with audio reﬂect and enhance the original features, at the same time as
via a discreet Sonance ceiling speaker. using cutting-edge, energy efﬁcient technology. The Imagine
On completion, Tom Lewis, general manager at Le Manoir said range offers the ﬂexibility and discretion that was needed to
that the project, “Exceeded expectation and it’s very clear, simple display the grand surroundings in the most effective and
and friendly to use and the quality is exceptional.” appropriate manner.”
At the heart of the system and linking all room functions is a As well as an installation considerate to its surroundings, the
custom programmed Nevo controller, offering a wide range of Imagine range provided the ultimate in end-user simplicity, with
hard buttons and touch screen functionality. the ability to achieve over a thousand lighting scenes at the
All of Aquavision’s televisions feature heated screens to touch of a button, through the use of the system.
prevent the front misting up in humid conditions, scart socket
for SKY, DVD or VCR signals and component connections used A stunning lighting development from
for high quality video input such as basic HD, DVD and games Lutron
systems. Waterproof remote controls were also provided. The 4-star Hotel Vincci Palace, sitting on the mouth of the
The high-end Series4 models feature RS232 control, river Turia in the heart of Valencia is the epitome of the city’s
integrated Freeview digital and analogue tuners, a component old world charm and has recently undergone a refurbishment
video, S-Video and analogue PC input, twin HDMI inputs on the project boasting the latest in home comforts.
AVF-32-4C and AVF-40-C, single HDMI on the 17, 19, and 26 Combining Lutron’s GRAFIK Eye power module lighting
inch screens, full scart connection and built in games. control technology with stunning interiors, visitors to the hotel
The company also offers Mirrorvision products, where the cannot fail to be impressed by the drama created by the hotel’s
television takes the form of a mirror when off and a television lighting displays, which are aimed at highlighting the interior
when it is on. design of the rooms.
20 May 2009 www.custominstaller.co.uk
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