Installing IT infrastructure is difficult at the best of times, but when celebrity hotelier Alex Polizzi, also known as the Hotel Inspector, approached us on the back of her purchase of The Star in East Sussex, this exciting and challenging new project began. Alex took on this large renovation project, alongside her mother Olga. Located in the village of Alfriston, the hotel comprises 37 bedrooms, a restaurant, bar and library.
We were appointed as the lead connectivity partner in early 2020, successfully implementing a Wi-Fi network segregation, enabling intelligent traffic shaping that allows appropriate levels of bandwidth, ensuring a secure system for internal staff and the general public. In addition, we have managed the integration of a telephony system into the in-house management platform.
Distributed across the premises are 6 risers with another 12 switches, network points hidden all around the building and Wi-Fi access covering the whole site using over 40 access points. Access points have been situated discreetly so they do not interfere with the visual aesthetic of the environment. We have installed infrastructure and hardware for the reception area and staff office. The office and payment system are served by an onsite server room with servers, routers, and switches. We have also configured a VoIP network with handsets available for staff use and for guests in every room.
“This project gave Truebyte the opportunity to demonstrate our expertise in providing a new network from the ground up. We considered all aspects of connectivity, from the high speed link into the property through to the advanced Wi-Fi solution that was deployed. Our data team was involved in the implementation of a virtual server environment and working closely with our telephony partner, we delivered a versatile phone system for guests and staff. The systems that Truebyte setup were designed and installed creatively and in keeping with the age and style of the property. We were proud of the end result and felt privileged to be able to contribute towards the success of the hotel.”
All of this was completed throughout the global pandemic, meeting our company’s standards of excellence whilst maintaining a consistent, calm and positive presence on site. Despite the additional challenges that came up during the refurbishment, clear communication with the client resulted in a job completed to our high standards and in line with the pre-determined schedule.
The past year has been the most challenging in the hospitality industry for generations, however the excellent work by all involved in Alex and Olga’s renovation project and the opening of the hotel in June, shows things are on the up. At Truebyte we are passionate in providing an excellent service and working with clients to fulfil their niche requirements, making us the perfect partner for large of small projects within the hospitality space.
The renovation project is being documented within a new Chanel 5 show ‘Alex Polizzi: My Hotel Nightmare’, which airs on Thursday 12th August at 9pm.
https://www.channel5.com/show/alex-polizzi-my-hotel-nightmare/
