TECHNOLOGY
The Crowne Plaza Albany — The Desmond Hotel in Albany , New York , uses a 24x7 air purification system that treats the air and surfaces , whose technology was originally developed for NASA and is cleared by the Food and Drug Administration .
part of our original construction plans ,” says Philip ‘ Flip ’ Maritz , lead owner and developer of The Ameswell Hotel .
Honeywell Healthy Buildings , a product developed by Honeywell Building Technologies , helps hotels monitor air quality , use portable air purifiers and deploy indoor air quality sensors without replacing existing infrastructure .
“ Earlier this year , we conducted a computer modelling study with a hotel customer that examined indoor air quality in hotel common areas , focusing on filtration and purification methods used to help mitigate potential airborne contaminants ,” explains Bhavesh Gupta , Director of Engineering — Hospitality & Healthy Buildings — Air Quality , Honeywell Building Technologies . “ The computer modelling study found that mobile HEPA air purifiers may help reduce airborne contaminants by capturing particles 0.3 microns or smaller .”
DRIVING CONSUMER CONFIDENCE While ensuring safety and wellbeing of guests and staff is a priority of all hotels , these modern and innovative air purification systems have also become a means to assure guests of the hotel ’ s stringent hygiene protocols and promoting it to drive more business .
Dusit highlighted their air filtration machine in their opening media release and ensured potential guests were aware of the latest technology , both on their website as well as on other marketing materials , Kunze says . “ The pandemic has boosted awareness about indoor air quality overall , so we are sure the new system will help to drive consumer confidence and more business to our property .”
The Ameswell Hotel ’ s Maritz feels the investments are considered as table stakes in the future of hospitality .
Stressing on the exclusivity of these new-age devices , Doug Kelly , director of sales and marketing , InterContinental Houston — Medical Center , says their technology is an important amenity that not many hotels can boast of owning . “ On the ground level , signage is placed next to the larger IVP units to let guests know their wellbeing is a priority ,” Kelly says . “ Outside the hotel , we ’ ve worked with the ownership group to generate publicity and showcase the innovative filtration units to bolster guest confidence . The new technology has been covered by local press and trade publications .”
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE Most hotels say the decision to install an efficient , hightechnology air purification system was driven by the
124 hotelsmag . com November / December 2021