Paul Ielovcich, Director of Performance Management at Epik Collection, and Andrew Contofalsky, Account Director at Videotron Business, had worked together even before joining forces for the Uville Hotel project. And by the looks of it, there is real chemistry between them! Clearly the partnership between these two organizations is at the heart of the hotel/museum’s success.
Uville Hotel officially opened its doors on November 1, 2019, and then, as bad luck would have it, the pandemic hit a few months later. “Our first real year of operation was 2022—that’s when we started being profitable,” explains Paul. And the future looks very promising. “We were booked solid for the Canadian Grand Prix F1 Race that took place June 16 to 18, 2023,” he says.
What makes Uville so unique in Canada? Strategically located at 204 place d’Youville, in Montréal, just steps from Pointe-à-Callière museum and the Old Port, the 33-room establishment features a ton of competitive perks that visitors are sure to love. Follow the guide!
Uville Hotel: 3 competitive advantages
More than just accommodations
Visitors of the hotel get to sleep in a luxurious room and take in the rich history of Montréal in 60s and 70s. “We offer a one-of-a-kind concept that can only be experienced in our establishment. It’s a way to stand out from the competition,” says Paul.
The building’s four storeys are reminiscent of a museum. Each floor represents a period in history, and each room is unique, covering a specific theme or year. “People are invited to explore the hotel and common areas and rediscover Montréal,” he says.
And no need to worry about your four-legged friends: there are pet-friendly rooms on the ground floor. One thing is certain: your furbaby will love the nearby parks and the treats waiting for them in the lobby…
An extraordinary immersive experience
An application was developed specifically in connection with the concept. “Retro and techno can go together,” exclaims Paul. Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) worked together to fill the app with historical content.
Plus, in an effort to offer the best possible experience, the video archives can be casted onto the rooms’ television screens. “Videotron Business provided a Ucrypt solution so that users can easily switch from the TV channels offered by the hotel to the educational app, and back again. The goal is to present the room’s theme with no technological barriers,” explains Andrew.
The result? Visitors can now discover the city of the 60s and 70s without even getting out of bed! And what’s more, breakfast in the room is included!
Guests get the royal treatment!
Everything was designed to offer a most enjoyable stay. There’s a safe and mini fridge at your disposal in the fully equipped room. Each high-definition TV comes with a Chromecast, so you can project your smartphone or tablet screen to the TV. In the mood for some music? Enjoy your favourite playlists or get into the Uville Hotel ambience with the proposed Spotify playlist.
Uville Hotel’s success with its customers just goes to show how important it is to have a trusted partner when it comes to large-scale technological deployments. “Here, history and technology come together, offering a unique, humane experience,” Paul says proudly.
Videotron Business and Uville: a matter of trust
When asked why Epik Collection chose Videotron Business as its telecommunications service provider, Paul says it’s a matter of trust. “I’ve been a customer since . . . 1992!” he laughs. And when acquiring a hotel or restaurant—like the Bonaparte, for example—the team optimizes all services from different providers, including the Internet access.
For efficient customer service and limited compatibility issues, Videotron Business is the ideal choice. “I feel confident in their services. I know that this long-standing partner understands my daily reality and that of the hotel industry.”
A dedicated Account Director: Andrew’s mission
It is thanks to the nature of his role as dedicated Account Director that he can make lasting ties with his different stakeholders. “The customer deals directly with me; their requests never fall through the cracks. I take care of them personally! I’m sort of like a control tower operator for my team,” Andrew explains. This carries a lot of weight in inciting the business clientele to centralize all their services under one roof!
A business relationship already existed between the two men. Did the trust they built over time facilitate the deployment of Epik Collection’s hotels technological plan, including Uville Hotel?
“Absolutely,” they say. The specific hotel/museum concept demands more complex early planning. “For several locations from a single hotel chain, there’s a lot of case by case—no big deployment. There’s no copy-paste—the experience is unique. That’s why I love working with Paul and his team: it’s elevated, like a perfectly seasoned dish,” he illustrates.
The Ucrypt solution shows the ability of Videotron Business to analyze customers’ needs and customize the best solution available for them.
Ucrypt, a must for Paul
Ucrypt solutions are typically deployed in facilities with many users, like large hotels and long-term care facilities (CHSLD). “There’s the cost to consider for the client, and the need for a profitability threshold for the provider,” Andrew explains. But the integration of Ucrypt was necessary to offer the desired experience to clients.
“Our high-end positioning allows us to acquire the technology despite the more limited number of rooms. And Videotron Business agreed to do their party and work with us through this decision,” adds Paul. Major infrastructural work was required to pass the optical fibre needed to operate Ucrypt. There are no overhead lines in the Old Port of Montréal; everything is underground. To work on historical buildings, a City permit is also required. And despite all these challenges, the timeline was respected.
— “This was all Andrew,” says Paul.
— “I did it for you, Paul,” the Videotron Business expert immediately responds.
Like we said: chemistry!
Thinking logically
147,000.
For Paul, one word is enough to describe the partnership between the Epik Collection and Videotron Business teams: “enjoyable.” The hotel industry is very particular. “Customers have expectations, and that’s perfectly normal. It needs to work!”
Videotron Business, for its part, is very proud to serve a one-of-a-kind hotel in Canada. And the partnership between the two organizations is not going anywhere. The next hotel project for Epik Collection, the SonoLux, is set to open its doors in 2024, with a brand-new experience for visitors. Located in the iconic National Trust building in Old Montréal, SonoLux will be a hotel, art cinema, a culinary lab, and audio lounge. For more information, join their mailing list today!
And the conversation continues. “So, what do you say, Paul: the Internet of Things at Uville Hotel?” suggests Andrew. “I’m open to anything,” concludes the Director of Perfomance Management at Epik Collection.
Who is Andrew Contofalsky?
Andrew is Account Director at Videotron Business. For more than 3 years, he has been involved in several major projects to help 75 hotel and accommodations establishments optimize their business solutions.
He is known for his listening skills and ability to understand his customers’ needs. His 15 years of experience allow him to forge solid, trusting relationships with his customers.
Are you ready to do like Paul and deploy Videotron Business technology in your hotel? Contact your designated representative to start a discussion.
3 july 2023, By Videotron Business
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