Will Samsung contribute to the revitalization of north end of Las Vegas Strip?

With the reputation that Las Vegas has, visitors are understandably eager to be at the center of the action.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, the Sahara Hotel was that place. However, as the focus of people’s attention shifted from the north to the south end of The Strip over the past two decades, the Sahara was slowly losing its appeal. 

But when it reopened with the new name of SLS Las Vegas in August 2014, it was immediately praised as a “$415 million pleasure palace”, and an “ingenious way to bring a new property and new lifestyle to Las Vegas”. Many viewed the reopening as having a revitalizing effect on the north end of the strip. So what happened here?

Obviously, the name wasn’t the only thing that changed; In fact, it was quite the opposite. From lobby to in-room hotel amenities, the former legendary Sahara Hotel and Casino changed everything from head to toe.

In planning the complete renovation, the management’s (sbe) priority was to be technologically relevant, which today’s young consumers are very sensitive to. So when you need technology, “who are you going to call?”

SLS Las Vegas decided to partner up with Samsung. With Samsung’s portfolio for Smart TVs, displays, tablets and more for the hospitality industry, together SLS Las Vegas believed they could create a unique, interactive and entertaining experience for their guests.

Samsung, known for its end-to-end solutions, made sure that the re-design would engage guests through technology at every touch-point.

First of all, more than 2,200 Samsung Smart TVs were installed throughout the property, from the guest rooms to restaurants, bars, pool cabanas and casino floor. With such a wide scope, the versatility of Samsung’s Smart TV solutions was able to shine.

For example, with the 55” in-room TVs, users can access premium on-demand content provided by various content providers safely encrypted, thanks to the Samsung’s LYNK DRM solutions. It also gives users the option to browse up-to-date resort information and access amenities with the touch of a button on a customized user interface.

It is easy to see Samsung Smart TVs in the many restaurants, bars, and gambling tables throughout the massive property, keeping people entertained wherever they go. “It provides guests a dynamic, interactive experience that is exactly what they expect when they come to Las Vegas” says Jonas Tanenbaum, vice president of hospitality TVs at Samsung’s Enterprise Business Division.

In the lobby, the first main touch point, Samsung’s 60-foot-long video wall provides a dynamic backdrop to the check-in-desk. The sheer size of it is impressive enough, with awestruck guests gazing at the signature of the SLS Hotels brand – Newton’s Cradle swinging back and forth and quizzical suited monkeys – in a Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution.

Samsung Galaxy tablets are also positioned along the check-in counter for self-service options for guests.  At the back of the house, SLS Las Vegas has also provided the tablets to its housekeepers to track progress and ensure efficient room turnover, contributing to improvement in overall hotel service.

The overall result has been much more than satisfactory. The in-room interactive TV solution is widely thought to have raised the bar in terms of catering to guest convenience. As for the management, this solution, built on Samsung’s HTML5 based platform, H-Browser, has significantly reduced the cost and complexity of installation for SLS Las Vegas. The display solutions throughout the property have been praised as a very well-strategized decision as it brings a new level of guest engagement.

While still in its early days, with rooms at capacity and the restaurants, casino and nightclubs packed, SLS Las Vegas is well on its way to fulfilling the vision of revitalizing the north end of The Strip and rekindling the legend of the former Sahara. Working with Samsung’s end-to-end hospitality solutions, it hopes that people will look back  in 10 or 20 years and say that it was the catalyst for the next evolution of Vegas.

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