The Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe hotel in Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), part of the Barcelo Hotel group, is one of the latest resort locations to be equipped with a SALTO hospitality access control solution. The hotel has chosen the SALTO XS4 system to provide 24/7 security to all its main guest room doors as well as to a variety of back of house doors throughout the property.
The Barcelo Bav...
The Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe hotel in Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), part of the Barcelo Hotel group, is one of the latest resort locations to be equipped with a SALTO hospitality access control solution. The hotel has chosen the SALTO XS4 system to provide 24/7 security to all its main guest room doors as well as to a variety of back of house doors throughout the property.
The Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe hotel is one of the largest hotels in the Dominican Republic, with over 1600 guest rooms made up of B-rooms, Junior, Family, Master, Panoramic and Presidential suites. Located on the seafront of arguably one of the 10 best beaches in the world, it boasts an enviable range of facilities including 4 swimming pools, a Spa, gym, golf course, a wide range of water sports, theater, nightclub and casino. Diners are spoiled for choice, with an impressive 11 specialty restaurants to choose from including a Japanese restaurant and a sports bar.
The convenience and security that the new SALTO system now makes available to guests and staff is twofold. Firstly many traditional hotel locks use magnetic strip cards, whereas the SALTO hospitality access control solution uses RFID proximity technology.
Magnetic strip cards are now commonly regarded as not being secure enough for today's access needs (which is why have bank and credit cards have switched from magnetic strip to chip cards). Magnetic strip cards also tend to suffer from instability of the data contained on the magnetic strip (for instance if you put the card next to a cell phone it can demagnetize it and make it unreadable), so guests are unable to access their room meaning a trip back to reception to sort the problem.
SALTO ‘contactless' locks operate differently. Instead of swiping the key card the guest simply holds the card up to the lock which then reads the information stored on the card by means of its encrypted state-of-the-art RFID chip and grants or denies access to the room.
Secondly, SALTO electronic locks are network connected through wall readers, or online “updaters”. These updating points utilise what is called the SALTO Virtual Network (SVN) to gather information that is ‘written' to and from the card each time it is used and this is then downloaded into the Property Management Systems (PMS) computer. This technology enables the hotel to cancel users, change access privileges and gather access audit trail information from every door in the property via one computer, without having to visit each door individually.
Armando Rios, of local SALTO distributor BASICORP, says “Guests expect perfection when they come to the Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe and their expectations of security are just as high. The hotel can only live up to that demand by having the correct systems, and its electronic locks and access control must all be absolutely top-of-the-range.
That's what we have provided them with in the shape of their state-of-the-art stand alone XS4 smart locks using the latest contactless RFID technology from SALTO Systems to handle their electronic security and access control requirements. Indeed we're already following this up with another project to equip the Spa area at the hotel with SALTO locker locks. Guests will then use a waterproof RFID plastic bracelet that uses the same technology as their room key to store all their personal items in a secure locker while they enjoy all facilities and amenities of the Spa.”
Fitting the XS4 system was simple, straightforward and efficient and the whole process from initial installation right through to final commissioning was achieved on schedule thanks to coordination between BASICORP, various other contractors and the customer.
Carmen Caminero, Accommodation Manager of the Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe hotel, says “What we value most about SALTO is a combination of factors, including quality, service and operation. On the operative level it is a friendly system, easy to use, and delivers a problem free solution for our customers. The training in how to operate the system as well as the service that BASICORP the local SALTO distributor have given us, both reaffirm the excellent choice that we have made.”
Vicente Soler, Project Manager, at the Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe hotel, adds “For me, installing our SALTO access control system has meant eliminating potential security problems and having time to think about other issues. The relationship with SALTO via its distributor BASICORP has been very good, always professional and efficient. The XS4 lock is strong, well protected and it opens and closes perfectly. It provides us with absolute control over access rights throughout the property and it also handles the sometimes extremely wet weather we get here in the Caribbean. For me it's been the right choice.”