Next to the historical city walls of Istanbul and facing the sea of Marmara sits Radisson Istanbul Sultanahmet. With twenty-eight guest rooms, a traditional Turkish approach to hospitality, and a commitment to continual modernisation, this Radisson property offers guests a comfortable and authentic experience. Radisson Istanbul Sultanahmet worked with Planet (formerly Hoist) to bring guests the latest networking technologies including smart TVs and lightning-fast internet.
Challenge
Before implementing Planet Networking, Radisson Istanbul Sultanahmet faced an issue experienced by almost every hotel worldwide: guests’ insatiable and evolving need for the newest technological advancements. According to Selami Taşkın, the hotel’s General Manager, technology is now more important than water to his guests: ‘We serve free water on the table in the guest rooms. But guests don’t care if you serve it or not. If you haven’t got good Wi-Fi or a smart TV, maybe guests won’t complain, but it will be the reason they don’t choose you in the future.’
But the pressure wasn’t only from guests: ‘Chains nowadays want you to supply the latest smart TVs in a good condition,’ says Selami. ‘They came to test our download and upload speeds before we joined the brand.’ Radisson Istanbul Sultanahmet needed networking technology that would evolve with consumer demand and suit the needs of Radisson’s standards.
Solution
As fashions change and decades pass, updating your furniture or decor is part-and-parcel of running a hotel business. But consumer demand for the newest technology moves a lot quicker: ‘People in Istanbul and all around the world – particularly the new generations – upgrade their phones constantly,’ says Selami. ‘Now there is technology everywhere. People see the importance and benefits of these developments and come to request it from our hotel. That’s why we looked to Planet Networking.’
Radisson Istanbul Sultanahmet wanted to position themselves as a preferred choice in the market while having confidence that they would always be ahead of the technology curve. They invested in Planet’s Content Management System (to manage user interfaces guests see when logging into Wi-Fi or turning on a TV), Dashboard (to monitor consumption and analyse guest preferences), and Extranet (to manage access and block users for misbehaviour).
Result
Planet’s high-speed internet, unlimited TV shows and movies, digital signage, and conference management toolkits gave Radisson Istanbul Sultanahmet’s guests a premium, consistent experience. The hotel chose Planet to ensure hotel-wide coverage, lightning Wi-Fi speeds, and an ability to see guest activity across their entire network. Planet’s Networking solutions allow Radisson Istanbul Sultanahmet to exceed guest expectations, create better event experiences, and improve operational efficiency. All of which culminates in a significant competitive advantage: ‘As a hotel, you need high performance systems and technologies. It’s now non-negotiable. It’s a must and part of daily hotel service. If we didn’t care about this; if we didn’t make constant updates with the help of Planet, we would lose.’
We are extremely happy with Planet’s Networking services. It has resulted in enhanced guest satisfaction, allowed us to be more agile as guest demands change and prompted an increase in new and returning business. Selami Taşkın, General Manager, Radisson Istanbul Sultanahmet
Benefits
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Happier Guests
Implementing consistent networking experiences resulted in enhanced guest satisfaction. -
Improved Agility
Using networking technology that evolves alongside consumer demand allows the hotel to adapt quickly. -
Profit
Advanced networking offerings prompted an increase in new and returning business.
