Ashford Castle – Ireland

Ashford Castle is the latest addition to the Red Carnation collection of hotels and has been fully restored far beyond its former glory. The technology that has been employed into a Castle that is over 800 years old is truly amazing.

VDA for the Ashford Castle

As part of Ashford Castle’s total upgrade, VDA was asked to install OnAir, an interactive TV system, providing IPTV within the guest rooms. Also, through the OnAir system, the guest may now also stream their own personal content from their Tablet or Smart phone to the bedroom TV.

Within Ashford Castle’s walls, both financial and energy resource management is facilitated by VDA’s Room Management System, named Micromaster. In terms of energy management some of the benefits include the permitting of the air conditioning to be set at predetermined levels, to avoid excessive heating or cooling, the control of the lighting and all electrics (with the exception of the TV and specified electric sockets) to turn on or off at a customisable set time after a guest leaves their room. These resource management features assist Ashford Castle achieve em-efficient operations, and respond to increasing regulations, and also help to control the associated costs and environmental impact linked with energy consumption.

Micromaster provides a multipurpose tool for the management of the hotel’s personnel, security, and guest services. Both Housekeeping and Reception staff are issued with specific key cards that permit supervisors to monitor where they are within the hotel, facilitating their operations. For example, if a guest needs a towel, the housekeeper nearest to this room may be contacted to deliver one. And with regards to monitoring security, Micromaster permits the management to track who has entered and/or left the room and at what specific times.