News

Wayport Takes the Loews Road

Wayport is showing up in even more of the swankiest hotels in the United States thanks to an arrangement with the Loews Hotels chain, which is courting business travelers with the broadband wireless service.

by Eric Griffith Managing Editor of Wi-Fi Planet [August 30, 2002]

Broadband wireless (and wired) network provider Wayport will be providing broadband Internet service at seven properties operated by the Loews Hotels chain.

The service provided will include high-speed wired Internet access in guest rooms, 802.11-based access in lobbies and bars, and a combination of wired and wireless in over 100 meeting rooms. Services will include Internet surfing, e-mail access, corporate network access, and online meeting interaction via webcasting and online conferencing.

The Loews properties Wayport will be providing access for are located in Philadelphia (where the installation is complete), Miami Beach, Nashville, San Diego, Denver, Annapolis, and New York City's Regency. Installation is scheduled to be complete by September 30, 2002.

In the announcement, Charlotte St. Martin, executive vice president of marketing for Loews Hotels, cited Wayport's ongoing sales and marketing support as a major factor in the deal, saying she feels it drives business travelers to the company's hotels.

Loews runs 18 hotels in North America, including three in the Universal Orlando resort/park and the historic Jefferson Hotel in Washington, DC. The company is on track to build a brand new hotel in the Boston theater district by 2005.

Wayport currently provides services for other hotel chains including Four Seasons, Wyndham, Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton, Doubletree, and Embassy Suites. The service is available in 470 major hotels.

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