Four-Diamond Graves 601 Hotel Earns 'Gold List' Reputation with Service, Cutting-edge Technology

(PRWEB) May 29, 2007 -- The Graves 601 Hotel in the heart of downtown Minneapolis is the top destination for the city's A-list residents and jet-set visitors. With one of the state's Four-Star, Four Diamond restaurants and clubs called Cosmos, Graves 601 is regarded as the most sophisticated and luxurious hotel in the Midwest, earning the Conde Nast 'Gold List Reserve' title. As one critic wrote, "Walking into Graves 601 is like buying a ticket to New York."    



With cachet to spare, Graves 601, named "World's Best Business Hotel" by Travel and Leisure Magazine, also wins raves from Wine Spectator, Interior Design, The New York Times and Condé Nast Traveler for its striking décor, personalized services and leading-edge guest room technology. "We offer the right balance for our elite clientele - professional, personal service, award-winning decor and luxury amenities," said Scott Fischburg, vice president of sales and marketing at the 225-room Graves 601 Hotel. "This includes 42-inch plasma screens in every room, and we rely on the NxTV converged IP network platform for the entertainment, corporate meeting information, room service menus and Internet connectivity that our guests value. We partnered with NxTV because technology changes quickly, and their digital IP delivery system is well-positioned to accommodate future advancements."

The Graves 601 is impressive in every respect. Its striking 21-story exterior is anchored with a stylish, fresh lobby and equally chic restaurant, Cosmos, named to Nightclub and Bar Magazine's "Top 100 Clubs Worldwide" list. The property's discriminating guests appreciate luxury details, such as Frette duvets and linens, etched glass headboards and bathrooms featuring five-jet full-body shower towers and vessel sinks. All rooms are furnished with DVD/CD players, wired and wireless HSIA, as well as wireless digital keyboards for accessing a library of movies and music, checking email and viewing hotel information. "Our rooms are a balance of rich textures, comfortable surroundings and leading-edge technology," said Fischburg. "NxTV gives us more than just movies, Internet connectivity and guest information; their in room hotel entertainment systems deliver a spectrum of advanced two-way services and the clearest digital viewing possible."

As part of Graves 601's in-room services, the property also displays the names and locations of area retailers, spas and other select services. "We recommend several local stores, spas and other sites, and we provide their information to guests as a service of Graves 601 - this is not paid advertising, but something we think our guests will value." The NxTV IP platform makes it simple to add or change guestroom on-screen information to accommodate seasonal changes or to update property offerings and corporate meeting information.

Service and Security
Providing the best in personalized service is the goal of each member of Graves 601's management and staff. "Outstanding service begins with our hiring process," said Fischburg. "We work hard to select team members that care about people and have the heart and energy for the job. We also have a guest service incentive program that is unique in our industry, and it rewards staff members for service above and beyond the call. I give awards honoring individual efforts almost every day. The system is very effective and guests value our attention to their needs." Fischburg noted that the property also has an ongoing education program to instruct new team members in the fine points of courtesy and guest care. "We train our staff teams to go a little farther for each guest and for the property," said Fischburg. "At the front desk, we reward clerks for recording each guests' email and other contact information consistently. In housekeeping, we recognize team members for cleaning rooms well and greeting every guest. We also reward our staff members on their anniversaries to reward loyalty."

The property maintains high standards to ensure the safety of its guests as well. Scott Huston, facilities manager for Graves 601, oversees security for the downtown property. "We secure our property at many levels. Our property entrance and elevators operate only with guest room door cards. Guest room doors have auto dead bolts, and electronic locks track all entries." Many of the property's systems utilize an advanced converged IP network. With converged IP networks, HD video on demand, IPTV Free to Guest content, high-speed Internet access and communication with mini-bar, voice over IP telephony and POS systems all leverage one converged IP network for greater cost savings, reliability, improved applications integration, scalability and increased revenue. NxTV provides Graves 601 with many of these IP-based in-room services.    

"The Graves 601 is focused on its guests - this sets us apart," Fischburg explained. "Our guests return frequently and refer their friends and associates because we exceed their expectations in every area from guest service to in-room technology. Simply put, they tell us we are the best hotel they have ever visited."


About The Graves 601
Renowned for successful development and management of high-end housing, hotels and resorts, graves|hotels.resorts facilitates the ground-up development of upscale urban core and leisure destination markets. Graves|hotels.resorts, offers the complete range of project development and management services. The mission of graves|hotels.resorts is to provide guests and associates with an unparalleled experience of sophisticated modern luxury through passionate creative service, where guests are proud to stay and associates are proud to work.


About NxTV, Inc.
NxTV, Inc., based in Los Angeles, California, leads the global hospitality industry in the delivery of IP-based, 100% digital in-room entertainment solutions that allow hotel owners to take full advantage of new technology today and in the future, and offer guests the ultimate on-screen entertainment experience. NxTV's system runs over the hotel's existing converged IP network, which enables the property to integrate and communicate with a wide variety of in-room technologies without the cost and effort of installing and maintaining separate networks for each hotel application. Incorporated in 1997, NxTV has the largest installed base of 100% digital in-room entertainment systems in the hospitality industry. The NxTV System delivers the triple play of digital IP-based in-room entertainment services including, High Definition Video On Demand (HD VOD) and IPTV Free to Guest content, wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, and a customized guest interface. Clients consist of the world's most prestigious hotel brands, including Four Seasons, Peninsula, Raffles, W Hotels, St. Regis, MGM Grand, Le Meridien and Hyatt. NxTV, Inc. has offices and customers in the Americas, Europe and Asia.


CONTACTS:

Eric Stern
Director of Marketing and Planning
NxTV, Inc.
5700 Canoga Ave., Suite 150
Woodland Hills, California 91367
(818) 737-8267
http://www.nxtv.com/?campaign=PRWebGravesGoldList5.29.07

Media Contact:
Julie Keyser-Squires, APR
Softscribe Inc.
(404)256-5512
http://www.softscribeinc.com

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