Texas Incubates New Ciena Hotel Brand
Eye on Global Expansion
April 9, 2013 - Texas has given a lot of things to the world: Longhorns, Aggies, Cowboys, Hilton Hotels, and La Quinta Inns. It's about to give another gift - a new focused service hotel brand conceived by a Texan with deep roots in the hotel industry.
A kind of hotel with a modern design created by International award winning Texas architectural firm Frank Architects that the founder hopes will be attractive to travelers and developers. Construction of the first prototype located in Cotulla, Texas is slated for April, 2013 with the doors set to open during the first quarter of 2014. The new build hotels modern influence is balanced with soothing earth tone colors of olive, grey and sand combined with a communal style lobby arrangement, and soothing interior touches.
“Ciena Hotels design philosophy was honed and meticulously crafted by the design team so that the modernity would be something that would find itself to be attractive in many countries,” says Bob Zachariah, Founder, President and CEO of HotelWorks Development, the parent company of Ciena Hotels and Suites. “We feel this design could easily fit in any American city; for that matter in any country in Europe or Asia just as much as it can find space in neighboring Mexico or Central & South America.”
The modern design also marries sensible high tech conveniences such as personalized flat screen televisions; use of cell phone as the room key by OpenWays utilizing the Kaba RFID guestroom lock system; guest interactive service platform via television, computer tablets and smartphones in collaboration with Intelity; USB wall outlets will be conveniently located to allow effortless use of the modern devices that are a part of the modern day travel bag. In collaboration with MTech HOTSOS, Ciena hotel staff including maintenance and housekeeping will also be using smart devices to conduct daily operations tasks. “Majority of the vendors we've selected have been done through our association with BITAC,” Zachariah noted. “The relationship we've been able to build with quality suppliers through the BITAC family has allowed us to move the R&D process at a much faster pace; we'll be adding more BITAC vendors over the coming months as we integrate operations software.”
Introduction of high technology to the midscale hotel market is not the intent behind Ciena Hotels and Suites. “Ciena brand is all about comfort and service. Yes, we do wish to take advantage of the developments in technology which can make the comfort of a stay seamless in nature from online reservation to check in to the actual stay. However, we've not forgotten and we will never forget what a hotel is all about - a clean place to rest, work, meet new people and enjoy the most comfortable sleep.” Zachariah continued, “We have Simmons Hospitality custom making the beds under our own brand, will have world class linen and terry designed by Standard Textiles and guest amenities developed in partnership with HD Supply.”
Zachariah states their intent is to deliver a hotel which will give the guest the freedom to interact with the hotel staff as much as they would love or as little as they would like. Front desk staff and management will have smart devices at their fingertips so as to meet the guests upon arrival and welcome them to the hotel, check them into their respective rooms from anywhere in the lobby. The hotel is not leaving anything to chance and is being methodically planned for the grand opening.
Texans are an integral part of the overall development of the project with Commerce Bank of Laredo underwriting the project. All the engineering disciplines involved are based out of Texas. Zertuche Construction, the General Contractor is headquartered in Laredo. The brand identity team -Envision Creative Group- is based out of Austin.
Hilton was born in Cisco. La Quinta in San Antonio. The story of Ciena unfolds from Austin, Laredo, and Cotulla.
About HotelWorks Development and Ciena Hotels & Suites
Founded by Bob Zachariah, HotelWorks Development is a hotel design and development idea factory formed by like-minded investors with global experiences from diverse industries. With corporate offices in Austin and a design center in Laredo, Ciena Hotels and Suites is the first brand launched. An extended stay concept as well as an upper scale focused service prototypes are in the early R&D phases. A private label boutique brand for independent hotels is also in the development stages. The group is well funded with the financial backing from one of the leading Texas banking corporations. www.cienahotels.com
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