Rye Brook, New York, February 2016 … A $4 million renovations program will bring major technological advances, refurbished guestrooms and conference rooms, and enhanced, efficient guest services to the legendary Doral Arrowwood, the New York metro area’s only resort. With expanded WiFi, enhanced operational software, new audiovisual equipment and the refurbishment of conference rooms and 200 guestrooms, Doral Arrowwood is meeting the demands of both the conference and leisure markets for greater connectivity, affordable luxury and a unique meeting experience. The changes are being spearheaded by Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, which added the award-winning property to its Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio in September 2015.
“The most significant and far-reaching improvements bring the resort’s IT services to new levels of efficiency and connectivity,” said General Manager Steve Mabus. “A new Verizon Cell tower now rises on the roof of the resort’s newly-established Doral Executive Center. By the fourth quarter of 2016, we expect to add additional wireless carriers, greatly enhancing cell phone coverage throughout the resort. Existing phone switches are being replaced with an entirely new system.”
Mr. Mabus continued, “Thanks to the globalization of the meetings industry, today’s meeting planners demand a level of connectivity that reaches a very broad range of locations and audiences. The Wi-Fi system throughout the property will be upgraded with a new high-speed system that provides global reach.”
Technical improvements extend to the resort’s Guest Services, and the existing Front Desk computer systems will be replaced with a state-of-the-art version of Opera. This will enhance the guest check-in / check-out experience and enable better tracking of customer history and guests’ preferences.
Doral Arrowwood’s professional onsite audiovisual department will utilize newly-designed projectors and audio systems, installed in the seven main meeting rooms of the Doral Executive Center. These expansive conference spaces will be further enhanced by new fabric-wrapped acoustical panels, upgraded LED lighting and new carpeting.
Two hundred of the resort’s 363 guestrooms will be refurbished and 58 of these will be upgraded to Premier Rooms, bringing the total number of Premier Rooms to 114. Renovations will include new tiled bathrooms with vanity counter tops, sinks, faucets, mirrors and curved shower rods for tubs. Bedrooms will feature new drapes, bedding, lamps and lounge chairs. The guestrooms are expected to be completed by May 2016.
The resort’s inspiring setting, expert staff and dedicated conference center have earned Doral Arrowwood an enviable reputation as the premier meeting resort in the New York metropolitan area. The conference center includes 33 dedicated function rooms and a divisible 6,500 square-foot ballroom that can be used for meetings, trade shows, social events and weddings.
The Doral Executive Center includes 110,000 additional square feet of meeting space to accommodate small meetings or larger gatherings of up to 174 people. This comprehensive meeting environment contains 10 meeting rooms, 11 breakout rooms, an executive conference room, a 174-seat amphitheater, two 50-seat amphitheaters, and 13 small office spaces. An upscale Executive Boardroom features a private dining room, butler service and a private concierge.
