AV Solution Redefines Luxury for Cancun Getaway

Technology solution company NTX wins the 2014 Integration Award in the hotel category for their work at Secrets The Vine Cancun resort.

Jessica Camerato
Photos & Slideshow
View the slideshow View the slideshow

On the beaches of Mexico with views of the Caribbean Sea, Secrets The Vine Cancun attracts visitors to escape the grind of day-to-day life.

All of the hard work behind the scenes that went into making the luxury resort so relaxing, though, may be the best-kept secret of all.

With nearly 500 guest rooms and suites, a 12,500+ square-foot spa, six gourmet restaurants, three infinity pools and more high-end amenities, the resort wanted to enhance its top-level features by automating the entire hotel.

The to-do list was expansive.

AV was a priority, which had to be installed in multiple locations. The client requested unlimited connectivity in each area of the hotel. A lighting control system was needed, too. When it came to the automation system, it had to match the elegant-yet-minimalist design theme.

3 Integrator Takeaways:
1. We learned a lot about teamwork because we had to develop a big rela- tionship with the IT guys in order to complete the project successfully.
2. We learned how to transmit the knowl- edge of the AV systems to a team that was specialized in hospitality, because it is all about service!
3. We learned about the concept of zero failure; the people in this industry need a 110 percent from your team 24 hours a day.

3 End User Takeaways:
1. Standardizing all the hotels in their group to a new level of technology.
2. Major energy savings with all the ben- efits of the automation system.
3. A new level of quality in their all-around experience operating all the AVC systems.

Equipment Highlights:
Crestron automation, lighting, touchscreens
DigitalMedia distributed AV

Secrets The Vine Cancun hired the Mexico-based company NTX to complete this project. NTX had experience in the corporate, education, entertainment, government, health and hospitality markets.

The company took on the automation project, which entailed the installation of distributed audio, distributed video, artificial lighting control, natural lighting control and video conferencing systems.

Related: Complete List of 2014 CI & TD Integration Awards Winners

Manuel Suero, president of NTX, was the system designer and Fernando Zurbarán was the programmer. NTX used Crestron equipment to handle the automation and distributed AV.

“We basically automated and integrated all of the systems … throughout the entire hotel including its world-class spa,” says Mariana Lino, marketing for NTX. “All of them (are) easily controlled by a custom interface we created for the hotel with the use of touchpanels.”

One of the biggest aspects of the project was installing a distributed audio and video system for all areas of the hotel. This included seven restaurants, five boardrooms, the piano bar, spa, halls, gym, guest rooms, convention center and salons.

The expansive Secrets Spa by Pevonia offers an inviting ambience, and the hotel didn’t want the equipment to distract from that. Guests visit for services ranging from massages to manicures to haircuts, all seeking a relaxing experience. The ceiling loudspeakers complement the modern and minimalist design. In order to eliminate bulky controls, the audio in the spa can be managed by a single touchpanel interface.

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!