Westminster Wires Up To Compete With Chains

LIVINGSTON, NJ—The Westminster Hotel here will feature several high-tech amenities to enhance the guest experience and streamline operating systems in order to compete with larger chains. The hotel includes two data networks: the hotel network, which provides telephone and computer service to the entire hotel, and the guest network, which provides such amenities as Internet access in guestrooms and wireless access in public areas. The same amenities are available in the Westminster Club, a wing of the property featuring specially appointed guestrooms with deluxe amenities and a concierge lounge in a separate building. Other high-tech amenities onsite include in-room entertainment systems designed to streamline the check-out process; and access to the Internet at the desk or via a wireless keyboard through the television, allowing guests to verify flight times and stock prices. The guest rooms also feature T1 lines for guests’ laptop computers in two locations—the living area and at the desk; two-line cordless phones and voice mail service; wireless capabilities that allow guests to log onto the Internet from the lounge, banquet room or meeting space; broadcast and videoconferencing service; and onsite audio video resources. In-room fax machines are also available upon request. Going further, plasma screens in the lobby and in the pre-function space let guests know what is happening in each space of the property as well as the world at large. Outside the meeting room, an LCD touch-screen shows guests the agenda and allows users to scroll through and see availability for future dates and times. A password allows an event planned to extend the reserved time if meetings run over. Scheduled to open this month, the hotel is the flagship for Westminster Hospitality Group, an affiliate of Kushner Companies headquartered in Florham Park, NJ, which is spearheading a partnership with the Scharf and Barad families for this venture.